What rail fasteners does IR use?

18-07-2019

IR uses various kinds of Pandrol design fasteners, ERC Mark III (850-1100kg toe load), and ERC Mark V (1200-1500kg toe load) (the latter developed by RDSO). Pandrol 'J' clips, often yellow in colour, which have a lower profile and lower toe load), are used where they need to be removed and reinserted easily and where ordinary clips might interfere with the fastening of fishplate bolts. Source -

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What numbering systems were used prior to 1989 and the adoption of 4-digit ‘universal’ numbers?
June 22, 2019

The 4-digit system with a unique number for each long-distance train regardless of the zones that it operates in came into force around 1989. Earlier, trains were numbered from '1' all the way up to 3-digit numbers within each zone. Numbers were thus not unique across zones, and a given train sometimes changed numbers on the same route as it

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What does a 4-digit train number (1989-2010) signify?
June 22, 2019

From 1989 onwards, and until replaced in Dec. 2010, for long-distance passenger trains, a 4-digit scheme was used. These 4-digit numbers were referred to as 'universal numbers', since they were unambiguous across the different zones, in contrast to the old train numbers that were not necessarily unique across different zones. (The second and

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When does the driver have to lower and raise a pantograph on the run?
June 22, 2019

Normally, pantographs do not have to be lowered and raised on the run. The principal exception is the case of the AC-DC switchover by the WCAM series locos as described above. Other than that, there are a few points where the catenary has a gap (no cable physically present, not even a neutral or dead section), for instance at level crossings where

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What happens if the pantograph isn’t lowered when the loco enters the dead zone?
June 22, 2019

Usually there is no problem, if the master circuit breaker of the loco has been switched off. In most cases of neutral sections, therefore, the driver does not have to lower the pantograph. If a live loco enters this section without its master circuit breaker turned off, then there is a possibility of sparking or transient disturbances, which can

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What happens if the wrong selection has been made at the wrong time?
June 22, 2019

Not all IR locos have protection against incorrect line supplies, and the loco can be severely damaged in such cases. In some cases, this will blow a fusible link located near pantograph, and the driver will have to raise the appropriate ALT pantograph to continue. No further damage is possible because the only equipment that is live when

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How are DC locos swapped for AC locos at the point where traction power changes from DC to AC?
June 22, 2019

Today while the the Mumbai area is still mostly at 1.5kV DC, there are a couple of important AC-DC transition points such as Igatpuri -- now Kasara -- and Virar. In time, when 25kV AC becomes the norm and DC traction is decommissioned, these transitions will be history and there will be no more traction changeovers! Sad for railfans, but perhaps

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