Railway Technical Specifications

Master Indian Railways’ technical specifications and engineering details for RRB exam preparation with comprehensive coverage of rolling stock, infrastructure, and operations.

Rolling Stock Specifications

Locomotives

Diesel Locomotives

• WDM Series: Broad gauge diesel locomotives
  • WDM-2: 2600 HP, most common diesel locomotive
  • WDM-3A: 3100 HP, upgraded version
  • WDM-3D: 3300 HP, modern variant
  • WDG Series: Diesel locomotives for freight trains
  • WDP Series: Diesel locomotives for passenger trains

Electric Locomotives

• WAP Series: Electric locomotives for passenger trains
  • WAP-1: 3800 HP, first AC electric locomotive
  • WAP-4: 5350 HP, high-speed passenger locomotive
  • WAP-5: 5400 HP, 160 km/h capability
  • WAP-7: 6350 HP, most powerful passenger locomotive

Electric Locomotives for Freight

• WAG Series: Electric locomotives for freight trains
  • WAG-5: 3850 HP, freight locomotive
  • WAG-7: 5000 HP, heavy freight locomotive
  • WAG-9: 6350 HP, modern freight locomotive
  • WAG-12: 12000 HP, most powerful locomotive in India

Electric Multiple Units (EMU)

• Local Trains: 9-car, 12-car configurations
• Speed: 100-120 km/h
• Power: 4-6 motor coaches per train
• Voltage: 25 kV AC traction

Coaches and Wagons

Passenger Coaches

• ICF Coaches: Integral Coach Factory design

  • Length: 23.54 meters
  • Weight: 47-55 tons
  • Speed: 110 km/h
  • Capacity: 90-110 passengers per coach

• LHB Coaches: Linke Hofmann Busch design

  • Length: 23.5 meters
  • Weight: 40-48 tons
  • Speed: 160 km/h
  • Safety: Anti-climbing features, center buffer couplers

Coaching Stock Types

• AC Coaches: First AC, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier
• Sleeper Coaches: AC 3-tier, Sleeper class
• Seating Coaches: AC chair car, Second sitting
• Special Coaches: Pantry car, luggage van, guard van

Freight Wagons

• BOXN Wagons: Box wagons for general cargo
  • Capacity: 58-81 tons
  • Load Type: Packaged goods, containers
• BCN Wagons: Covered box wagons
• BOY Wagons: Open wagons for coal
• Tank Wagons: For liquid cargo
• Flat Wagons: For containers, vehicles

Track Infrastructure

Track Specifications

Rail Sections

• 52 kg/m: Standard rail for main lines
• 60 kg/m: Heavy rail for high-traffic routes
• 90R: Rail profile for branch lines
• Standard Length: 13 meters (previously 12 meters)

Track Gauges

• Broad Gauge: 1676 mm (5 feet 6 inches)
  • Coverage: 90% of railway network
  • Usage: Main lines, high-speed routes
• Meter Gauge: 1000 mm (3 feet 3.375 inches)
  • Conversion: Being converted to broad gauge
• Narrow Gauge: 762 mm, 610 mm
  • Usage: Hill railways, heritage routes

Track Structure

• Ballast: Crushed stone, 250-300 mm depth
• Sleepers: Concrete sleepers (standard), wooden sleepers (heritage)
• Fastenings: Elastic rail clips, Pandrol clips
• Rail Joints: Welded rails (continuous), fish plates (jointed)

Signaling Systems

Block Signaling

• Absolute Block: Safe distance between trains
• Automatic Block: Signals controlled by track occupancy
• Centralized Traffic Control (CTC): Remote signal control
• Automatic Train Control (ATC): Speed control and protection

Signal Types

• Semaphore Signals: Traditional mechanical signals
• Color Light Signals: Modern electric signals
  • Red: Stop
  • Yellow: Caution, proceed prepared to stop
  • Green: Proceed
  • Double Yellow: Proceed, next signal is caution

Interlocking Systems

• Route Relay Interlocking: Automatic route setting
• Electronic Interlocking: Modern computerized system
• Panel Interlocking: Manual control with indication

Station Infrastructure

Station Types

Station Categories

• A-1 Stations: Major metropolitan stations
  • Revenue: ₹100 crore+ annually
  • Examples: Mumbai CST, Delhi, Howrah, Chennai Central
• A Stations: Major junctions
• B Stations: Important stops
• C-E Stations: Smaller stations based on traffic

Platform Specifications

• Length: 650-725 meters for long trains
• Height: 840 mm (standard)
• Width: 5-12 meters depending on traffic
• Surface: Concrete, asphalt, or stone

Station Buildings

• Station Masters: Control room, ticketing, announcements
• Waiting Rooms: Air-conditioned, general, ladies
• Platforms: Covered platforms, FOBs, escalators
• Amenities: Retiring rooms, food stalls, bookstalls

Yard Infrastructure

Yard Types

• Passenger Yards: Train stabling, maintenance
• Freight Yards: Marshalling, loading/unloading
• Loco Sheds: Locomotive maintenance, servicing
• Wash Depots: Train cleaning, water filling

Marshalling Yards

• Classification: Sorting wagons by destination
• Hump Yards: Gravity-assisted sorting
• Flat Yards: Shunting locomotive-based sorting
• Major Yards: Mughalsarai (Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya), Vadodara, Bhusawal

Bridge and Tunnel Infrastructure

Major Bridges

Bridge Types

• Truss Bridges: Steel truss construction
• Arch Bridges: Masonry arches for heritage lines
• Cantilever Bridges: For long spans
• Beam Bridges: Simple supported spans

Notable Bridges

• Digha-Sonepur Rail-Road Bridge: 4.56 km over Ganga
• Godavari Bridge: 2.7 km, one of the longest
• Vembanad Bridge: 4.62 km in Kerala
• Mahatma Gandhi Setu: 5.75 km, though primarily road bridge

Tunnel Infrastructure

Tunnel Specifications

• Standard Gauge: Single and double track tunnels
• Ventilation: Natural and mechanical ventilation
• Lighting: LED lighting systems
• Safety: Emergency exits, communication systems

Major Tunnels

• Pir Panjal Tunnel: 11.2 km in Jammu and Kashmir
• Karbude Tunnel: 6.5 km on Konkan Railway
• Bhatan Tunnel: 6.5 km on Konkan Railway
• Natmal Tunnel: 4.3 km in Uttarakhand

Electrical Infrastructure

Traction Systems

Electrification Systems

• 25 kV AC: Standard traction system
• 1.5 kV DC: Legacy systems (being converted)
• 2×25 kV AC: For heavy freight corridors
• Coverage: 70% of broad gauge network electrified

Overhead Equipment

• Catenary System: Contact wire, messenger wire
• Height: 5.2-6.5 meters above rail level
• Tension: Automatic tensioning system
• Structures: Steel masts, concrete portals

Substations

• Traction Substations: Step-down transformers
• Capacity: 5-10 MVA depending on traffic
• Spacing: 50-80 km apart
• Equipment: Transformers, switchgear, protection systems

Communication Systems

Train Control Communication

Signaling Communication

• Block Instruments: Manual block signaling
• Block Proving: Automatic track circuiting
• Axle Counters: Train detection system
• VHF Communication: Train crew communication

Modern Systems

• GSM-R: Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway
• Fiber Optic: High-speed data transmission
• Satellite Communication: Remote area connectivity
• Data Loggers: Performance monitoring

Passenger Information Systems

Display Systems

• Arrival/Departure Boards: LED displays
• Platform Displays: Train information
• Announcement Systems: Audio announcements
• Mobile Apps: Real-time train tracking

Ticketing Systems

• PRS: Passenger Reservation System
• UTS: Unreserved Ticketing System
• Online Booking: IRCTC portal
• Mobile Ticketing: IRCTC app, UTS app

Safety Systems

Train Protection

Automatic Train Protection (ATP)

• TPWS: Train Protection and Warning System
• AWBS: Automatic Warning and Braking System
• ATC: Automatic Train Control
• AFTC: Automatic Fire and Train Control

Collision Avoidance

• Anti-Collision Device (ACD): GPS-based system
• Train Protection Warning System (TPWS): Speed enforcement
• Kavach: Indigenous ATP system being developed

Safety Equipment

Rolling Stock Safety

• Air Brakes: Westinghouse air brake system
• Disc Brakes: For high-speed trains
• Emergency Brakes: Manual and automatic systems
• Fire Suppression: Fire detection and suppression

Track Safety

• Track Circuits: Detection of track occupation
• Hot Box Detectors: Overheated axle detection
• Wheel Impact Load Detectors: Defective wheel detection
• Track Geometry Cars: Track condition monitoring

Performance Specifications

Speed Limits

Different Speed Categories

• Mail/Express Trains: 110-160 km/h
• Superfast Trains: 110-130 km/h
• Passenger Trains: 80-110 km/h
• Freight Trains: 60-75 km/h
• EMU/MEMU: 80-100 km/h

Section Speeds

• Golden Quadrilateral: 160 km/h capable
• High-Speed Corridors: 200 km/h planned
• Dedicated Freight Corridors: 100 km/h
• Hill Sections: 30-50 km/h

Load Capacity

Axle Load Limits

• Broad Gauge Main Lines: 22.9 tons
• Heavy Haul Routes: 25 tons
• Branch Lines: 16-20 tons
• Heritage Lines: 12-15 tons

Train Loading

• Passenger Trains: 20-24 coaches (500-1500 tons)
• Freight Trains: 58-60 wagons (4000-5000 tons)
• Container Trains: 45-50 containers (3500+ tons)
• Heavy Haul: Specialized trains (6000+ tons)

Practice Questions

Question 1

What is the horsepower of WAG-12 locomotive, the most powerful locomotive in India?

Question 2

Which series of electric locomotives is specifically designed for passenger trains?

Question 3

What is the standard gauge width of Indian Railways broad gauge?

Question 4

What is the maximum speed capability of LHB coaches?

Question 5

Which signaling system uses red, yellow, and green colors for train control?

Question 6

What is the standard rail section used for main lines in Indian Railways?

Question 7

What is the voltage of the standard traction system in Indian Railways?

Question 8

What is the length of standard passenger coaches in Indian Railways?

Question 9

Which tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in India?

Question 10

What is the axle load limit on main lines of Indian Railways?

Important Technical Facts

Record Specifications

• Longest Platform: Gorakhpur (1,366 meters)
• Highest Station: Ghum (2,258 meters) on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
• Longest Tunnel: Pir Panjal Tunnel (11.2 km)
• Highest Bridge: Chenab Bridge (359 meters) under construction
• Fastest Train: Vande Bharat Express (180 km/h operational)

Modernization Projects

• Dedicated Freight Corridors: Eastern and Western DFC
• High-Speed Rail: Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor
• Station Redevelopment: Major stations modernization
• Track Doubling: Single to double track conversion
• Electrification: Complete route electrification target

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