The Wikipedia article answers it pretty well.
You absolutely do not want two trains on the same segment of the track. So there is one token that represents that segment, and the rule is that only the train that has the token is allowed to go on the track. If everyone follows the rule, it will be impossible for a miscommunication to result in two trains entering.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Token_(railway_signalling)
Latest Answers