Traffic operation

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An original tool : the single-line token

This token, called "baton pilote" is one of the oldiest artifact used for trains regulation to avoid head to head collision when two trains are running simultaneously on the same single-line section. Each route section is associated with a particular token (a piece of wood, which is identified thanks to a nailed cupper-plate). On this plate are written the names of the two stop-over points which delimit this section. To engage the train on a section, the conductor (position also hold by the engineer himself) must possess the associated token. At the next station, the conductor must return the token to the station master, and wait for the other section token.

A train can't run on a section without the corresponding token. Only the very special following circumstances could yeild exemption :

• When more than one train are engaged on the same section, the latter will keep the token. The others will receive a track warrant

• If a train must stay at an intermediate station, it will be quite impossible to transmit the token at the next station ! So, in that case, the conductor will sign the track warrant, and give it to the opposite coming train conductor.

This system seems to be quite rustic. But its reliability level is very high: during one century of operation, only one serious accident occured; the engineer moved his train on without waiting for the token !

Nowadays, all trains stops at La-Motte-Les-Bains station, waiting for token exchange. On June, July and August, two or three trains are simultaneouly running the line. So, condctors are in some cases exchanging the token at La Motte d'Aveillans or Notre Dame de Commiers stations and signing the track warrants each other because of the absence of stationmasters at these places.

All the traffic is now controlled by radio comunications. Each engineer/conductor owns a two-way radio set is talking with the dispatcher, located at the district control office.

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