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Which side does traffic run on the tracks in India?

July 17, 2019, 2:10 PM
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Like road traffic, railway traffic is also on the left as a rule. The rule generally applies to all double-line sections, and a train moves on the right side tracks only in exceptional situations. Of course, it does not make any difference for single-line operations, and bidirectional movement is allowed on both tracks in the case of twin single-line sections.

In the case of some ghat sections and others where there are three tracks, the central one is used for traffic in either direction. In a few cases right-hand-side running (also sometimes known as ‘American style’) is adopted such as on the MG sections between Tambaram and Chengalput and surrounding areas. The reason for that was that the MG locos (YAM-1, etc., YDM-4 (short hood leading), steam locos YP and YG) and the MG EMUs all had right-hand-side seats for the drivers. This made right-side running more convenient since the signals are located by the side of the permanent way and not between the two tracks.

BG electric locos all have the driver’s seat on the left. Most BG running is on the left, and almost all BG signals are on the left side of the track. BG steam locos had the driver’s seat on the right, as does the WDM-2 (from the American designs) and in all of these the drivers depended on the assistants calling out the signal aspects, especially with the long hood leading.

Perhaps to fix this situation, the WDG-3A (‘baldie’ and short hood) and WDM-3A (‘baldie’ only) switched to a left-side seat for the driver. However, curiously, the newer WDM-3A locos have been given a right-hand-side seat for the driver. One curious oddity today [12/03] is the Dhanbad-Sindri section where between Pradhankhanta Jn. to Sindri traffic is on the right.

Source – IFRCA.org

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