198203 – Sheldon – Communications Aspects of METROL (The Melbourne Metropolitan Train Control Centre)

The Melbourne Metropolitan Train Control Centre (METROL) has been established to co-ordinate all signalling and communications for the city loop and the suburban network. The author outlines the design philosophy for the communication system and describes the various sub–systems involved, including the post phone system and the train control telephone system. Emergency services and Maintenance facilities are discussed and the paper concludes by foreshadowing future developments.