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🚆 Track circuits monitor whether a train is on a section of track. They operate as part of the signalling system, which is designed to be "fail safe".
🚦 When a track circuit fails, the signalling system will interpret this as a train remaining in place, even though there may not be a train present at all.
🗣️ As a result, train drivers will be stopped by red signals on approach. They will then get verbal permission from the signaller to proceed, and will run at a heavily-reduced speed as far as the next signal.