New Delhi:
Indian Railways has a long network of about 68 thousand kilometers across the country. In such a situation the signals and signals installed on the railway tracks play an important role in the proper running of the trains. If the signal is not given properly or the correct signal is misunderstood then the train may become a victim of accident. Something similar happened to the Kanchenjunga Express on the morning of June 17 in Darjeeling, West Bengal. A goods train hit Kanchenjunga Express (13174) from behind. 10 people died in this accident. The report revealed a fault in the automatic signaling system. Let’s know how the railway traffic system works? What do different railway signals mean?
The station master signals home
It often happens that a train slows down when passing through a major station. Many times he crosses the platform at full speed. Signal plays a perfect role in this. The signal before the station is called ‘home signal’. It is from here that the train driver knows whether the train will go fast or slow. You will be surprised to know that this task of giving signal is done manually. That is, the light which will be turned on at the signal will be turned on by the station master himself from his cabin. Apart from this all other signals are operated automatically.
The fifth note of a musical scale. Major train accident in Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri, goods train collides with Kanchenjunga Express, 9 people killed
There are 4 types of house signal lights
There are four types of lights on the home signal: red, yellow, green and white. A red light clearly means a stop signal. A green light means that the train can cross the platform from the main line without slowing down. When a yellow light shows that the loco pilot has been asked to reduce the speed of the train.
A yellow signal has a special meaning in railways
There is a slight difference between train traffic signals and road traffic signals. A red light in a traffic signal on the road means stop. When the green light means go ahead. A yellow light indicates readiness to proceed. But, in the case of trains, the train moves only when there is a green signal. At the same time, the vehicle is often moved forward by giving a yellow signal.
Starter signal and double yellow signal
For a loco pilot, a yellow signal means to start a train parked at a station and move it to the main line. This is done to give space to another vehicle arriving later on the platform. This signal is given when the train is standing on the loop line of the station. Signal starter installed on loop line called a signal. Sometimes a double yellow signal is also shown for this. After seeing this, the loco pilot slowly steers the train towards the main line.
Cars hanging in the air, see in pictures how scary was the collision between the Kanchenjunga Express and the goods train.
A starter signal installed on a loop line does not have a green light, only red and yellow lights. The speed limit of trains on the loop line does not exceed 30 km/hr.
What does white light mean?
For railways, the white light is installed at a slight angle to the other three lights. It is always on with a yellow light. This light is on at stations where there are multiple platforms. These people indicate to the pilot from which line the train is to enter the station.
How is train traffic managed in the Indian railway network?
Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system is used in Indian Railways. This system was first installed in 1966 in Gorakhpur-Chhapra section of North Eastern Railway. Since then, many technological advancements have been made in the train traffic control system, so that the trains can be operated properly. The present centralized traffic control of railways is based on electronic interlocking and optical fiber communication cables.
What if there is a fault in the signaling system?
When a fault occurs in the signaling system, the Station Master issues a TA-912 written authorization. A malfunction in this signaling system allowed the pilot to cross all the red signals. According to railway rules, the loco pilot should stop the train for one minute on every faulty signal. During this period the speed of the train should also be 10 km per hour.
How did the goods train collide with the Kanchenjunga Express? What happened in these last minutes… Find out everything from the video