How is track maintained?

19-07-2019

Permanent way maintenance is largely done by gangs consisting of gangmen under the supervision of a gangmate. The gang goes down its assigned section of track (the gang beat or beat section), inspecting track and performing normal routine maintenance. A patrolman may be separately deputed to perform visual inspections along the length of a section of track by walking alongside it (two patrolmen in ghat or jungle areas). Typically the patrol may cover 6km - 10km of track. The schedule and track sections to be monitored by gangmen and patrolmen is specified in a Patrol Chart prepared by the Divisional Engineer. This chart also indicates when and where the drivers of trains running to

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What kinds of signalling and train working systems are in use in India?
July 16, 2019

The absolute block system is the most widespread method of train working on IR. The block sections may be handled manually or automatically, or by some combination of those. Some sections still use different forms of physical token systems such as the Neale's Ball Token instruments. Other than the block system some other special-purpose methods

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What signals are provided at different kinds of stations?
July 16, 2019

Generally, fixed signals have to be provided at all block stations (i.e., classes A, B, and C), except those operating trains under the One Train Only system. The minimal signal provisions for block stations with manual absolute block working are described here. Additional signals may be always be provided based on local requirements. Note that

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How is failure of signals guarded against?
July 14, 2019

Signal installations are designed as far as possible for fail-safe operation, which means that any failure should leave the system in a state where dangerous train movements are not allowed. For instance, in case of a failure detected at a panel interlocking installation, all signals controlled by it are designed to revert to On. Similarly, a

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What is a ‘fixed signal’?
July 14, 2019

A fixed signal is any signal that is permanently erected at a location. The term is used to distinguish normal signals and indicators from hand or lamp and flag signals, detonators, flares, bells, and other special-purpose methods of signalling. Source -

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What does ‘ahead’ or ‘behind’, ‘advanced’ or ‘retarded’, or ‘front’ or ‘rear’ mean when referring to a track or signals?
July 14, 2019

All orientation terms used when talking about track, points, signals, stations, etc. are given from the point of view of the driver of a train looking in the direction that the train is moving. Thus, a signal may be ahead of him or behind him. A signal or station that he is approaching is referred to as being in front, and one that he has passed

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Sometimes a signal pole is observed to carry one signal at normal height and another much higher up; what are those? Or, what are Co-acting Signals?
July 14, 2019

A co-acting signal is a duplicate signal provided on the same mast as a stop signal, which always shows the same indication as that stop signal. The purpose of such a co-acting signal is to allow a continuous unobstructed view of the signal indication from all positions where a driver might need to observe it, in cases where an overbridge or other

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