A Station in CTC is a point where trains stop according to their schedule for passenger and load exchanges. Stations can also be a point where a train’s schedule can end or begin. If a train ends a schedule there, the equipment transfers to another schedule, which has the same station as a starting point there. These transfers are specified in the schedule data, and can include train merges and splits. For a train merge the two or more trains must arrive on the same track in the order specified in the schedule that takes over the merged train. For a train to split the just finished schedule tells which two or more schedules take over for the parts resulting from the split.
A station has one or more tracks, the blocks the station track has been dedicated to. A station track may have an indicator restricting the usage. For instance a restriction may exist that dedicates the track for passenger stop only, or for freight-only. Another indication could be a track number or platform number in large passenger stations. While those indications may limit which tracks you can use for a valid stop, all tracks are covered under one station (name). A station track has also an attribute that determines where in the block the train should stop to make it a good one.
Besides of the stop itself, some data are included in the schedule what to do at a stop, e.g. how long to wait, what the departure time is. Furthermore, switching can occur (using switches that are not shown on the diagram), which can result into a different train length, and even the change of the main heading of the train.
The stops in CTC’s schedules have to be executed in the order as they appear there. CTC monitors whether or not the train can reach the next station without the change of direction. If it detects that a train lost the capability to reach the next station, it will stop the train.
Train Dispatcher Note: The TDP has two different type of stops, which are called platforms and work areas.