Train Operations
Train Operations – Railway GK Compendium
1. Definition & Scope
Train Operations encompass the entire gamut of activities required to move a rake from origin to destination safely, punctually and economically.
Key sub-systems:
- Running & Marshalling
- Signalling & Control
- Traction & Power
- Rolling-stock & Brake Systems
- Traffic Control & Crew Management
- Yards & Sidings
- Disaster & Emergency Handling
2. Technical Fundamentals
| Parameter | Conventional | Rajdhani/Shatabdi | Vande Bharat / Gatimaan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. permitted speed | 110 km/h | 130–160 km/h | 160–180 km/h (trial 200 km/h) |
| Average sectional speed (Goods) | 25–30 km/h | – | – |
| Block section length (ABS) | 4–8 km | 4–6 km | 3–5 km |
| Gradient (BG) | 1 in 100 (normal), 1 in 40 (ghat) | – | – |
| Curve radius (min.) BG | 175 m | 400 m (for 160 km/h) | 1,000 m (preferred) |
| Coupler type | Screw / CBC | CBC | CBC with slack-less draw-bar |
| Brake system | Vacuum/Graduated release Air brake | Twin-pipe air brake | EP+ECO disc brake |
- Brake percentage: Freight 80 % (empty), 50 % (loaded); Mail/Express 100 %.
- Brake power certificate (BPC) validity: 24 h for passenger, 5500 km for freight.
- Minimum headway with automatic block: 4 min (130 km/h), 3 min (160 km/h).
- Standard signal overlap: 180 m (BG), 120 m (MG).
3. Historical Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1853 | First train Bombay–Thane (33 km, hauled by Lord Falkland) |
| 1879 | Automatic air-brake patented in India (Westinghouse) |
| 1925 | First 1500 V DC suburban section – Bombay |
| 1957 | Adoption of 25 kV AC traction (SNCF design) |
| 1987 | First 140 km/h run with WAP-1 loco |
| 1988 | First Shatabdi (NDLS–BPL) – max 140 km/h |
| 2002 | All-India vacuum brake production stopped |
| 2018 | Train-18 (Vande Bharat) rolled out – 180 km/h trial |
| 2022 | Kavach (indigenous ATP) certified for 160 km/h |
| 2023 | Gati-Shakti freight corridor sections operational – 100 km/h path |
4. Current Status & Recent Updates (2023-24)
- Kavach: 3,000 km route covered; target 34,000 km by 2030.
- Automatic Train Operation (ATO): Under trials on Delhi-Agra section.
- Push-pull configuration: 180 trains approved to save turnaround time.
- End-of-Train Telemetry (EOTT): 10,000 freight wagons fitted; obviates guard brake van.
- Long-haul freight trains (2×2.7 km): “Anaconda” trains ply on EDFC.
- Real-time train information: National Train Enquiry System (NTES) upgraded to 30-sec refresh.
- Digital OHE: 3-tier OHE design adopted for 250 km/h (future bullet).
- Solar panelled rake: 1.5 kW per coach – saves 0.6 lakh litres diesel/year.
- Weightometer & IT-enabled weigh bridges: 100 % coverage by 2025.
- **Railway Board merged 8 services into Indian Railways Management Service (IRMS) under cadre restructuring.
5. Operational Terminology (Must Remember)
- Book speed: Permitted sectional speed printed in Working Time Table (WTT).
- Signal passed at danger (SPAD): Category-A (stop signal) & B (caution) – 3 & 1 day suspension respectively.
- Railway working rules: GR (General), SR (Sub), SS (Special), WR (Work).
- Station sections: Block section, Reception line, Running line, Through line, Sick line.
- Train classification: 0-4 Mail/Express, 5-7 Passenger, 8-9 Goods; 14-19 EMU/DMU.
- Load classification: CC+6 (full), CC+8 (summer), CC-2 (winter) for passenger.
- Penalty brake application: 0.8 bar BP drop in <3 s triggers emergency.
- Calling-on signal: Permits entry at 15 km/h when line is occupied.
- Shunting limit board: Yellow disc with “SL” – 30 m from fouling mark.
- Engine on load (EOL): >90 % of booked load – ideal for energy efficiency.
6. Freight vs Passenger Operations – Quick Facts
| Metric | Freight | Passenger |
|---|---|---|
| Share in NTKM | 70 % | – |
| Share in train kms | 36 % | 64 % |
| Average speed | 24 km/h (2022) | 50 km/h |
| Wagon turnaround | 5.2 days | – |
| Longest run (freight) | 1,860 km (Vizag to Jammu) | – |
| Longest passenger | 4,218 km (Vivek Express) | – |
| Crew duty hours | 12 h (goods), 10 h (pass) | 10 h |
| Rest rule (HOER) | 16 h (goods), 12 h (pass) | 12 h |
7. Safety Statistics 2022-23
- Consequential train accidents: 22 (lowest ever).
- Derailments: 11 (50 % of total).
- Collisions: 3.
- Fire: 1.
- Manned level crossing accidents: 0 (after 2020 closure drive).
- Unmanned level crossing accidents: 0 (phase-out completed 2022).
- Train parting incidents: 18 (freight).
- SPAD cases: 51 (against 76 previous year).
8. Crew & Control Organisation
- Running staff categories: Loco pilot (mail/goods), assistant loco pilot, guard (goods/pass), shunter.
- Footplate hours: Max 12 h continuous, 36 h in 4 days, 132 h in 14 days.
- LP licence categories: A-1 (mail), A-2 (pass), B (goods), C (shunt).
- Control offices: 69 divisional, 16 zonal, 1 national (CRIS).
- Train management system (TMS): GPS feed updates every 30 s.
- Crew lobby: Must report 1 h before departure for medical & breathalyser.
9. Energy & Traction Highlights
- All-India electrification: 86 % RKm (Mar-24).
- Head-on-generation (HOG): Saves 3.5 lakh L diesel/train/year.
- Regenerative braking: 35 % energy feedback in 3-phase locos.
- Energy consumption: 46 kWh/000 GTKM (freight), 18 kWh/000 PKM (pass).
- Highest OHE: 10.5 m (double-stack container on WDFC).
- OHE voltage: 25 kV ±10 %, 50 Hz, 300 A catenary rating.
10. 15+ MCQs for Quick Practice
Q1. What is the maximum permissible speed of Rajdhani Express on existing track without cab signalling?
Ans: 130 km/h (can go 160 km/h only with cab signalling + Kavach).
Q2. Which brake system is presently mandatory for all newly manufactured freight stock?
Ans: Air brake (twin pipe).
Q3. The validity of a Brake Power Certificate (BPC) for a goods train is
Ans: 5,500 km or 1 month, whichever is earlier.
Q4. What is the minimum curve radius for BG track to safely run 160 km/h?
Ans: 400 m.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a category of running staff?
Ans: Controller (it is a supervisory cadre, not running staff).
Q6. The first 25 kV AC traction section in Indian Railways was
Ans: Raj Kharswan–Dongoposi (SER) 1960.
Q7. The term “SPAD” in railway working denotes
Ans: Signal Passed At Danger.
Q8. How many derailments were reported in 2022-23?
Ans: 11.
Q9. The longest passenger train run in Indian Railways is
Ans: Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express (4,218 km).
Q10. End-of-Train Telemetry (EOTT) replaces which rolling stock component?
Ans: Brake van & guard.
Q11. What is the standard overlap distance provided beyond a stop signal in BG?
Q12. Which locomotive class is approved for 160 km/h operation on Indian Railways?
Ans: WAP-5, WAP-7 & WAG-9H (with modified gear).
Q13. The energy returned to the grid by regenerative braking in 3-phase electric loco is about
Ans: 35 %.
Q14. The minimum continuous rest for goods running staff under HOER is
Ans: 16 hours.
Q15. The first trial of semi-high speed Train-18 (Vande Bharat) was conducted between
Ans: New Delhi–Agra Cantt.
Q16. As on 31 Mar 2024, approximate percentage of total RKm electrified on IR is
Ans: 86 %.
Q17. Which freight corridor section became first operational under Gati-Shakti plan?
Ans: New Rewari–New Madar (WDFC).
End of chapter – revise & practice MCQs to strengthen your Railway GK for all RRB exams!
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