Railway Traffic
Railway Traffic
Key Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Traffic Department is the “revenue-earning” wing of Indian Railways. |
| 2 | Controls & coordinates movement of Passenger & Freight trains. |
| 3 | Headed by Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM) at Zonal HQ. |
| 4 | Divisional Operations Manager (DOM) is the in-charge at Division level. |
| 5 | Train movement is governed by the “Working Time Table” (WTT). |
| 6 | Station Master (SM) is the lowest supervisory traffic officer. |
| 7 | Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) cabins operate colour-light signals through panel interlocking. |
| 8 | Section 52 of IR Act empowers Railway to regulate traffic for public safety. |
| 9 | “Green” signal means “proceed; route is clear & all switches normal”. |
| 10 | “Calling-on” signal is a small yellow light below main signal for shunting. |
| 11 | Automatic Block System (ABS) allows trains to run at 3–5 min headway. |
| 12 | Absolute Block System is mandatory on single-line sections. |
| 13 | “Train parting” is treated as a “failure of rolling-stock”, not a “train accident”. |
| 14 | T/409 is the form used for granting line-clear to a train. |
| 15 | “Railway” as per Section 2(34) of Railways Act includes permanent way, stations & rolling-stock. |
| 16 | “Station” is defined in Section 2(27) as any place declared as such by Central Govt. |
| 17 | “Block section” is the portion between two block stations under absolute block. |
| 18 | “Warning signal” (Outer signal) is placed ≥ 580 m before home signal in BG. |
| 19 | “Shunt signal” is distinguished by a white disk with red & green slits. |
| 20 | “Engine failure on line” is classified as a “traffic failure” and not a “consequential accident”. |
Important Points
- Traffic & Commercial departments together generate 100 % of IR’s revenue.
- Working Time Table is revised every year—wailing effective from 1st August.
- Green & Yellow flags/lights are used only for signalling; red flag is for danger.
- “Gate signal” is provided at level-crossing to protect train movement.
- “Station limits” extend from outermost stop signal to the last trailing points.
- “Engine on point” rule prohibits engine standing on facing point switch.
- “Token” in tablet system is authority to enter single-line block section.
- “Train” as per GR 2.02 includes any rolling-stock proceeding under authority.
- “Railway servant” under Section 3 of Railways Act can prosecute trespassers.
- “Accident” under GR 3.52 covers collision, derailment, fire, explosion, etc.
- “Gate mitra” is a civilian helper, not a railway employee, at unmanned LC.
- The maximum penalty for unauthorized chain-pulling is ₹1,000 + imprisonment up to 1 year (Section 141).
Practice MCQs
1. Who is the head of Traffic Department at zonal level?
Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM)
2. Which form is used for granting line-clear to a train?
T/409
3. What is the minimum distance of outer signal from home signal on BG?
580 m
4. Which signal permits a train to enter an occupied platform?
Calling-on signal
5. The portion between two block stations under absolute block is called?
Block section
6. Which system allows 3–5 min headway between trains?
Automatic Block System (ABS)
7. What colour is the disk of a shunt signal?
White
8. Gate mitra is a ______ employee.
not a railway
9. Engine failure on line is classified as ______ failure.
traffic
10. Section ______ of IR Act empowers railways to regulate traffic for safety.
52
BETA
