DocumentT1

INDIAN RAILWAYS INSTITUTE OF

SIGNAL ENGINEERING & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECUNDERABAD - 500 017

T-1

INTRODUCTION TO S&T ORGANISATION

Issued in August 2008

T-1

INTRODUCTION TO S&T ORGANISATION

CONTENTS

S.No Chapter Page No

1 Organization of Signal and Telecommunication Department 1

2 Books of Reference 7

3 Inspection 11

4 Role of Telecom in Disaster Management 16

© IRISET

http://www.iriset.ac.in

Prepared by Vivek Chakraverty, LT2

Scrutinized by P.V. Sreekanth, Professor - Tele

Approved by V.K.Goyal, Sr. Professor - Tele

DTP and Drawings K.Srinivas, JE II(D)

Date of Issue August 2008

Edition No 01

No. of Pages 40

No.of Sheets 21

“This is the Intellectual property for exclusive use of Indian Railways. No part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or reproduced in any way, including but not limited to photo copy, photograph, magnetic, optical or other record without the prior agreement and written permission of IRISET, Secunderabad, India”

IRISET INTRODUCTION TO S&T ORGANISATION 1

CHAPTER 1

ORGANISATION OF THE SIGNAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION

DEPARTMENT

1.1 ORGANISATION IN THE HEADQUARTER OFFICE

The efficient upkeep of Signal and Telecommunication assets of the Railways is the

responsibility of the Open Line Organisation of the Signal and Telecommunication Department.

The major construction activities of the Railways may be under the administrative control of a

Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) reporting directly to the General

Manager of an Open Line or under the independent administrative control of a Chief

Administrative Officer (Construction) or General Manager (Construction) reporting directly to the

Railway Board.

1.1.1 STRUCTURE OF OPEN LINE ORGANISATION

a) The Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer - The Chief Signal & Telecommunication

Engineer (CSTE) is the administrative and professional head of the Signal &

Telecommunication Department and is directly responsible to the General Manager for its

efficient and economical working.

b) The Chief Communication Engineer - The Chief Communication Engineer (CCE) assists

the Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer in the administrative and professional work for

all communication matters.

c) The Chief Signal Engineer -The Chief Signal Engineer (CSE) assists the Chief Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer in the administrative and professional work for all signalling

matters.

d) The Chief Planning Engineer (Signal & Telecommun ication) -The Chief Planning

Engineer (S&T) assists the Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer in planning and

execution of works.

e) The Deputy Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engi neer -The Deputy Chief Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer assists the Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer, Chief

Signal Engineer and Chief Communication Engineer in the administrative and professional

work.

ORGANISATION OF THE S&T DEPARTMENT


f) Senior Scale Officers - Senior Scale Officers designated as Senior Signal &

Telecommunication Engineers (SSTE) are employed in the Headquarters Office of each

Railway and work directly under the administrative control of the Chief Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer or the Engineer-in-Chief (S&T) or the Deputy Chief Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer.

g) Assistant Signal & Telecommunication Engineers -They shall be responsible to the Senior

Scale Officer/Officers or to the Deputy Chief Signals & Telecommunication Engineer.

1.1.2 STRUCTURE OF CONSTRUCTION ORGANISATION

(a) The Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) shall provide necessary

direction and control for the efficient and economic execution of all works under his charge.

(b) The Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) is assisted at the

Headquarters by a team of Officers who may consist of Deputy Chief Signal and

Telecommunication Engineers and Senior Signal and Telecommunication Engineers and

Assistant Signal and Telecommunication Engineers.

(c) The Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) shall maintain liaison with

the Open Line Organisation and shall follow the general policies and procedure laid down for

the execution of works. In case where a different policy or procedure becomes necessary to be

followed, he shall do so after due consultation with the Open Line Organisation to adopt an

accepted policy or procedure.

(d) The Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) shall exercise necessary

budgetary control within the allotment of funds at his disposal and shall co-ordinate with the

Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer for compilation of budget at every budgetary

stage.

(e) The Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) shall co-ordinate with the

Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer with regard to placement of personnel for the

various assignments under his charge keeping in view the overall career development of such

personnel.

In the case of certain major joint projects for Survey or construction, the Signal and

Telecommunication unit may be constituted as a self-contained unit under the administrative

control of the head of the Project. In such cases, the Head of the Signal and Telecommunication



Branch shall be responsible for co-ordination with the Chief Signal and Telecommunication

Engineer.

1.2 STRUCTURE OF EXTRA DIVISIONAL ORGANISATION

The following are the extra Divisional Organisations of the Signal and Telecommunication

department on the Railways:

a) Signal and Telecommunication Workshops;

b) Signal and Telecommunication Training school;

c) Microwave Organisation;

d) Field Units of Construction Organisation;

e) Any other unit designated by Railway.

Each of these Organisations is under the control of an Officer of appropriate grade who is

responsible for its efficient functioning to the Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer /

Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer (Construction) directly or through an officer of

the Headquarters office in the appropriate grade. A team of officers in various grades as

required may assist the controlling Officer.

1.3 STRUCTURE OF ORGANISATION ON A DIVISION

A Signal and Telecommunication Engineer of appropriate grade is in charge of the Signalling

and Telecommunication Branch on each Division. He is responsible to the Divisional Railway

Manager for the maintenance as well as the correct functioning of the installations under his

charge.

He is under the technical control of the Chief Signal and Telecommunication Engineer to whom

he is responsible for all technical matters. He may be assisted by a team of officers of the same

grade or in lower grades. In case more than one officer, in the highest grade is available on the

Division, one of them may be nominated as the co-ordinating officer. The Chief Signal and

Telecommunication Engineer will lay down the duties of the various officers of the Signal and

Telecommunication branch on the Division.

The term "Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer" includes Senior Divisional Signal

and Telecommunication Engineer (Junior Administrative Grade) and Divisional Signal and

Telecommunication Engineer (Senior Scale) holding charge of a division.



A Signal & Telecommunication Engineer in Junior Administrative Scale, Senior Scale or Junior

Scale, is incharge of all the signal and telecommunication equipment on the division and works

under the administrative control of the Divisional Railway Manager. If there is more than one JA

Grade officer, one shall be exclusively incharge of telecom assets and other for signalling

assets.

The Signal & Telecommunication Engineer incharge of a division is also responsible to the

Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer for the efficient maintenance and control

installation of all the signal and telecommunication equipment on the division.

The strength of the Gazetted officer shall be determined by DISTU’s (Divisional Integrated

Signal and Telecom Units) and ZISTU’s (Zonal Integrated Signal and Telecom (Units) in the

HQ.

1.3.1 TELECOMMUNICATION

(a) The telecommunication work on each division shall be divided into Sr. Section

Engineer/Section Engineer/Junior Engineer.

(b) On a division, each SSE/SE/JE shall be responsible to the Divisional Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer/Sr. Divisional Signal & Telecom Engineer through the Assistant

Signal & Telecommunication Engineer, for efficient maintenance and correct installation of all

the telecommunication equipments under his charge.

1.3.2 STAFF UNDER SSE/SE

(a) Each SSE/SE shall be assisted by one or more JE, where necessary, and Technicians shall

be provided under him for maintenance. The strength of JE and Technicians shall be fixed in

accordance with the density of work and other local conditions.

(b) Each JE must be provided with a gang for attending to works that may be considered

normally beyond the scope of the Technicians.

(c) Each JE may be provided with office clerks depending on the quantum of office work.

An office khalasi may be provided, where necessary.

(d) Where railway’s underground telecommunication cables including Optical Fiber exist (as in

electrified areas), a cable break-down transport such as a pick up van shall be provided. An



emergency gang with full complement of cable jointing materials, tools and testing equipment’s

should be available with the break-down vehicle.

1.3.3 DUTIES OF Sr. SECTION ENGINEER/SE/JE

The essential duties of SSE/SE/JE are:

(a) Inspection and efficient maintenance of telegraph and telephone equipment such as keys,

sounders, relays, junction boards, teleprinters, magneto, central battery and auto exchanges,

telephone repeaters and other telecommunication installations at large stations including

wireless installations. Indicators, Public address System, Interactive Voice Response System,

Optical Fiber System, Message Switching System, Computer Communication, Train Radio

Communication.

(b) Execution of all works involving alterations to the existing installations, and installations of

new equipment, its adjustment and connections.

(c) Carrying out periodical tests on line wires independently as well as jointly with the

officials of the Posts & Telegraphs department.



TEL SUPDT

DRM

SrDSTE/DSTE

ASTE

SSE/T SSE/S Ch OS Ch D’MAN

SE/S

JE/S

SE/T

JE/T

ADRM

CSTE

CSE CCE CSTE/PLG CSTE/PROJ

DyCSTE/S

SSTE/ASTE

DyCSTE/T

SSTE/ASTE

DyCSTE/PLG

SSTE/ASTE

DyCSTE/PROJ

SSTE/ASTE

CWM

WM

PE

CSTE/CN

DyCSTE/CN

DSTE/ASTE

CAO/CN

GM

SSE/S/HQ SSE/T/HQ

Principal/STTS

Divisional Level Organisation

Zonal Level Organisation

Fig1. Hierarchy in Zonal and Divisional Level of Railways

TEL SUPDT

DRM

SrDSTE/DSTE

ASTE

SSE/T SSE/S Ch OS Ch D’MAN

SE/S

JE/S

SE/T

JE/T

ADRM

CSTE

CSE CCE CSTE/PLG CSTE/PROJ

DyCSTE/S

SSTE/ASTE

DyCSTE/T

SSTE/ASTE

DyCSTE/PLG

SSTE/ASTE

DyCSTE/PROJ

SSTE/ASTE

CWM

WM

PE

CSTE/CN

DyCSTE/CN

DSTE/ASTE

CAO/CN

GM

SSE/S/HQ SSE/T/HQ

Principal/STTS

Divisional Level Organisation

Zonal Level Organisation


CHAPTER 2

BOOKS OF REFERENCE

2.1 BOOKS OF REFERENCE

Books of reference should be supplied to Officers, Supervisors and Maintainers for their

personal use, as well as for use in their offices. A statement showing the various books and

their distribution is at Annexure A. For the officers, this list should be read in conjunction with

Para 8.17 of Indian Railways Signal Engineering Manual, Part 1 (1988 edition)

2.2 RESPONSIBILITY

All officials to whom books of reference have been supplied shall be responsible for:

a. Their safe custody and good order,

b. Pasting all addenda and corrigenda slips promptly and seeing that these are up to

date to the last slip as notified from time to time, and

c. Returning all books issued to them for personal use prior to retirement or resignation

or transfer from the railway service.

2.3 INSPECTION

Each Senior Divisional Signal & Telecommunication Engineer/ Divisional Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer shall make periodical checks to see that Inspectors maintain their

books of reference up to date and in good order. Each Inspector shall, likewise, see that the

staffs under him maintain their books of reference up-to date and in good order.

2.4 ACCOUNTAL

All books of reference should be accounted for in the same way as tools and plant items.

2.5 REPORTS OF TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARD COMMITTEE , TECHNICAL

PAPERS AND JOURNALS

Each Senior Divisional Signal & Telecommunication Engineer / Divisional signal &

Telecommunication Engineer should arrange to have the under-mentioned technical literature in

his office library:

BOOKS OF REFERENCE


a. Reports of Telecommunication Standards Committee Meetings.

b. Proceedings & Technical papers issued by Institution of Telecom Engineers, India,

Institute of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers, Institution of Railway Signal &

Telecommunication Engineers.

c. All IRS Specifications pertaining to Telecommunication, relevant BSS, ISS & DOT(TEC)

specifications.

d. Quarterly Technical Bulletin and other technical papers on telecommunication matters

published by the Railway Board.

e. Technical books and journals of interest on telecommunications.

f. Copies of technical instructions and reports issued by RDSO on different items of work

relating to underground telecom cable installations, such as Technical Instructions on

‘balancing of VF cable’, ‘jointing of cables’, ‘installation of loading coils’, ‘installation of

VF repeater station equipment’, ‘cable laying practice for optical fiber cables’, ‘testing of

digital microwave equipments’ etc.,

2.6 RESPONSIBILITY OF Sr.DSTE/DSTE

The Senior Divisional Signal & Telecommunication Engineer / Divisional Signal &

Telecommunication Engineer should encourage his supervisors and other staff to study these

reports, proceedings, papers and journals, so as to enhance their knowledge and to keep

themselves informed about the up-to-date developments, methods and techniques in

telecommunications. He should arrange to circulate particulars of all new publications that are

received from time to time for the information of supervisors once every three months.

2.7 REPORTS OF SIGNAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE, TECHNICA L PAPERS AND

JOURNALS

Each Divisional Signal and Telecommunication Engineer should arrange to have the under

mentioned technical literature in the divisional library:

(i) Reports of the signal standards committee.

(ii) Proceedings and technical papers issued by the institution of Railway Signal and

Telecommunication Engineers, New Delhi.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE


(iii) I. R. S. specifications, British standard specifications, Indian standards specification,

specifications of the Association of American rail roads signal section relating to

Signalling and Telecommunication equipment as required.

(iv) Quarterly technical bulletin and other technical papers on Signalling and Telecommunication

matters published by the Research, Designs and Standards Organization / Lucknow.

(v) Notes published by Indian Railways Institute of Signals Engineering and

Telecommunications, Secunderabad.

(vi) Technical books and journals of interest on Signalling and Telecommunication.

2.8 SCALE OF BOOKS OF REFERENCE

Books of reference should be supplied to officers, inspectors and maintainers for their personal

use, as well as for use in their offices. A statement showing the various books and their

distribution is shown in next page.

BOOKS OF REFERENCE


STATEMENT SHOWING THE VARIOUS BOOKS OF REFERENCE AN D

THEIR DISTRIBUTION AMONG STAFF (ref: Telecom Manual )

ITEM NO.

PUBLICATIONS SCALE FOR

Office of Personal possession of

CS

TE

Sr.

DS

TE

/DS

TE

AS

TE

SS

E/S

E(T

ele)

CS

TE

CC

E

Sr.

DS

TE

/DS

TE

AS

TE

SS

E/S

E(T

ele)

M

AIN

TA

INE

R

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1.

Telecommunication Engineering Manual

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2. General and Subsidiary Rules 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3. Stores Manual 1 - - 1 - - - - - - 4. Pass Manual 1 1 - 1 - - - - - - 5. Safety First Manual 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 6.

Schedule of dimensions 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

7.

Telegraph Code 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 -

8.

Payment of wages act with notifications as issued.

1 1 - 1 - - - - - -

9.

The hours of employment regulations with notifications as issued.

1 1 - 1 - - - - - -

10.

Working Time table & Appendix 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

11.

Catalogue of stores 1 1 1 1 - - - - - -

12.

Accident Manual 1 1 - 1 - - - - - -

13 IRS Drawings (Telecom) 1 1 1 1 - - - - - - 14 IRS specifications (of telecom items) 1 1 1 - - - - - - - 15 Railway Standard Drawings 1 1 1 1 - - - - - - 16 Indian Telegraph Act 1 1 - 1 - - - - - -

17 Indian Government Railway Code for Engineering Department

1 - - - - - - - - -

18 CCIR Documents of the plenary assembly 1 - - - - - - - - - 19 CCITT documents of the plenary assembly 1 - - - - - - - - - 20 Indian Electricity Act 1 - - - - - - - - -

21 Electric Supply Rules 1 - - - - - - - - -


CHAPTER 3

INSPECTION

3.1 ANNUAL INSPECTION PROGRAMME

The divisional and extra divisional officers should compile the inspection programme of their

respective jurisdiction and send it to the Head Quarter for approval.

3.2 ADHERENCE TO ANNUAL INSPECTION SCHEDULE

The annual inspection schedule should be strictly adhered to. Any deviation should be reported

to the higher authority explaining the circumstances which necessitated the deviation.

3.3 INSPECTION REPORT

Each inspection conducted by the Officers shall be followed by an inspection report. The report

should indicate the state of working of the installation, efficiency of the services rendered, any

specific problems along with suggestions for the improvement of services.

3.4 SUBMISSION OF INSPECTION REPORT

The inspection report of the Officers should be submitted to the next higher authority. The

inspection report should be submitted within one month's time.

3.5 MONITORING THE INSPECTION WORK

A watch should be kept on adherence to annual inspection schedule by the concerned

divisional and head quarter Officers. For this purpose an inspection register should be

maintained indicating the installation inspected, actual date of inspection, date of submission of

report.

3.6 COMPLIANCE REPORT

Strict action should be taken to ensure prompt compliance of the points noted in the inspection

reports. Such a compliance report should be submitted, as a matter of course within one month

of inspection and ordinarily all action should be completed within three months time.

INSPECTION


3.7 REVIEW OF EARLIER INSPECTIONS

During surprise/scheduled inspections, the progress of compliance of earlier inspection reports

should be checked by the inspecting officer. The inspecting officer may carry with him earlier

inspection report on similar installation to serve as a guideline.

3.8 LOCATING WEAK POINTS

The inspection should be meaningful and the inspecting officers should cover all points affecting

the efficiency of the services and should particularly inspect to locate weak points before they

can rise to any failure or complaint.

3.9 QUALITY OF INSPECTION

The report of the inspections carried out by the Officers will be reviewed by the next higher

authorities. If it is felt by the reviewing officer that the report is inadequate or inspection has not

been carried out properly covering all the important aspects, the reviewing officers will send his

comments immediately to the inspecting officers concerned. In extreme cases he may even ask

the inspecting officer to carry out the supplementary inspection to cover the remaining points.

3.10 INSPECTION REGISTER

Every installation shall maintain inspection registers duly bind and page numbered. This will be

kept as important permanent document. All the report of inspections/formal visits will be filed in

the inspection book if possible by way of coloured charts. Remarks of any surprise/casual visit

will be recorded by the visiting officer on the space in the inspection register. The compliance

report of the points noted in the register shall be sent to the inspecting officers for record.

3.11 SCHEDULE OF INSPECTION

The annual schedule of inspection which shall be conducted by officers and the schedule of

inspection to be conducted by supervisors are given below (ref: Telecom Manual, Chapters VII,

IX, X, XI, XII, XIV, XIX, XX, XXI, XXVI). In addition, any such instructions by CSTEs of Zonal

Railways regarding inspection schedule should be carried out.

INSPECTION


ANNUAL INSPECTION SCHEDULE OF OFFICERS

ITEM SR. DSTE (Tele)/DSTE

(Tele)/Incharge

DSTE/ASTE

Microwave/UHF network 25% stns/year All stations at least once in a year

Telephone and trunk Exchanges

All exch. Exceeding 400 lines once in a Year

All exchanges once in a year

Control office & test rooms All control offices Quarterly

All control offices once in a month

PA systems at Rly Stations/ Train Indication Boards & clocks

All major stations in a year All stations once in a year

OFC/Quad/RE cable system A) Cable route B) Cable hut/repeater C) Emergency sockets

One inspection in each control section yearly

A) Inspection of complete cable route once in a year B) All half yearly C) All block sections in a year

Repair & maintenance Centres Once in a year Once in a year

Accident Relief Train Once in a year Once in a quarter Optical fiber system A) Optic fiber stns B) Cable route

A) 10% of stations in a year B) One inspection in each control section

A) All stations in a year B) Inspection of complete cable route once in a year

Train Radio System 10% of installations in a year All installations in a year

Foot plate inspection of O/H alignment One section quarterly All sections in a year

Video Surveillance System All major stations in a year All stations half yearly Telecom equipments of data network for UTS, PRS, FOIS, Railnet etc.

All major stations in a year All stations half yearly

INSPECTION


INSPECTION SCHEDULE OF SUPERVISORS (Ref: Telecom Ma nual)

EQUIPMENT ITEM JE/SE

Sr. Section Engineer

OVERHEAD LINES All the main and branch alignment in his section

At least once a month.

Quarterly

EXCHANGES Detailed and effective inspection and testing Once in a month

Quarterly

MW/UHF/VHF Once in a month Quarterly

SDH

Electronics, Power supply equipment Fortnightly Monthly

General upkeep of co-located Equipment, DG set, Fire alarm system, Checking of proper functioning of external alarms, Air-conditioning

Monthly Quarterly

Earth Quarterly Half yearly

MAINTENANCE- TALK-BACK SYSTEMS

Outdoor equipment protection Rainy season

Amplifier response, Cable insulation and earthing of screens

Half yearly Yearly

SOUND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

General conditions of wiring and components, Frequency response and the noise level of the amplifier

Half yearly Yearly

Earthing arrangement Quarterly Half yearly

IVRS Quarterly Half yearly

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR OFC

NMS

Analysis and recording of statistics of optical and digital equipment, Monitoring of Alarms

Weekly Quarterly

Periodical check and verification of configuration and control functions

Quarterly Yearly

OLTE Measurement of all parameters,earthing and cleaning

Quarterly Half yearly

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR REPEATER AND AMPLIFIER EQUALISER SYSTEM

REPEATER/ AMPLIFIER-EQUALISER EQUIPMENT

Checking Power Supply Voltage at the input point, various cards in proper position, and functioning of all circuits

Monthly (Every installation)

Quarterly (Every installation)

Section wise end to end line up of all circuits -------- Quarterly (Every installation)

BATTERIES Cleaning & tightening of all connections, measurement of voltages & gravity

Monthly (Every installation)

Quarterly(Every installation)

INSPECTION


3.12 ITEMS TO BE IN POSSESSION OF SUPERVISOR DURING INSPECTION BY

OFFICERS

a) G&SR

b) Telecom Manual

c) Schedule of Standard Dimension

d) Current Working Time Table

e) Maintenance Manual For Special Equipment under his charge

f) Plan of proposed & sanctioned work

g) Multimeter, Megger, Portable Telephone to suit Overhead Lines or Cables circuit

(depending upon the section being inspected, Emergency Telephone, Walkie-Talkie)

h) Other tools such as Measuring Tape, Foot Rule etc

i) L14 Diagram or Cable Route Map

j) AC Traction Manual (in AC Electrified territory)

k) Any other item specified by Sr.DSTE/CSTE.


CHAPTER 4

ROLE OF TELECOM IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

4.1 WHAT IS DISASTER

(i) A Disaster is an unusual occurrence characterized by sudden calamity, causing great

material damage, loss and distress.

(ii) A complete definition of disaster may be an event, concentrated in time and space, which

threatens the society, or its subdivision, with major unwanted consequences. It is caused as a

result of collapse of precautions, which had hitherto been accepted as adequate.

4.2 Types of disasters causing an interruption to t rain services :

1) Human/Equipment failure

The disasters/accidents may be caused by human/equipment failure, which may affect normal

movement of train services with loss of human life or property or both. These include:

a) Collisions

b) Derailments

c) Level Crossing accidents at manned or unmanned level crossings.

d) Fire or explosion in trains

e) Miscellaneous

2) Natural calamity

Natural calamity can also cause serious repercussion with loss of life/property. This includes

a) Land Slides.

b) Storms/ Cyclones.

c) Earth Quake.

d) Floods.



3) Sabotage

Sabotage, i.e. causing deliberate loss of life and/or damage to property, includes:

a) Setting fire to train, Railway installations etc.

b) Bomb blast.

c) Placing obstructions on track to cause disruption to railway traffic.

d) Tampering with railway fittings causing accidents.

DISASTER IN RAILWAY PARLANCE

In Railways, disaster is defined as a major train accident leading to heavy causalities and

disruption to traffic for a long period.

TRAIN ACCIDENTS

Train accident is an accident that involves a train. Train accidents are further classified as:

a) Consequential train accidents.

b) Indicative train accidents.

CONSEQUENTIAL TRAIN ACCIDENTS

These include train accidents having serious repercussion in terms of either one or many or all

of the following:

(i) Loss of human life.

(ii) Human injury.

(iii) Loss of Railway property.

(iv) Interruption to Rail traffic.

Train accident under following classification will be termed as consequential train accidents:

a) Collision (Class A, subdivided into A1, A2, A3, A4)

Collisions are worst kind of accidents and are of three types viz.

i) Head on collision,

ii) Follow on collision,

iii) Side collision.



b) Fire or explosion in trains (Class B, subdivided into B1, B2, B3, B4)

This shall include all cases of physical fire or smoke emission resulting in death or injury or

damage to property amounting to Rs. 5000/- and above.

c) Level crossing accidents (Class C, subdivided into C1, C2, C3, C4)

Applies to accidents at Level Crossings, i.e. at the intersection of the roads with railway track at

the same level.

d) Derailment (Class D, subdivided into D1, D2, D3, D4)

Means off loading of wheel or wheels causing detention or damage to rolling stock/permanent

way.

e) Miscellaneous (Class E, subdivided into E1, E2)

All other train accidents that are not covered under the earlier categories are to be treated as

miscellaneous accidents.

INDICATIVE TRAIN ACCIDENTS

These include:

i) Averted Collisions (Class F, subdivided into F1, F2, F3, F4)

ii) Breach of Block Rules (Class G, subdivided into G1, G2, G3, G4)

iii) Train passing signal at danger (Class H, subdivided into H1, H2)

4.1 COMMUNICATION AT ACCIDENT SITE

Communication from the site of accident is to be established as soon as an accident takes

place. For this purpose, drivers of all trains shall be provided with portable control telephones.

Portable control telephones shall be 2 wire type in overhead communication territory, 4 wire

type in underground cable territory, and shall be of 2 wire / 4 wire type wherever a train passes

through both overhead communication and underground cable territories or 2 wire / 4 wire type

may be used over both type of territories. As soon as an accident occurs, driver/asst. driver

shall establish communication with the portable control telephone by hooking on to the

overhead lines / plugging into the emergency sockets, so as to establish communication with

control office.



In addition to drivers being provided with portable control telephones, guards of all passenger-

carrying trains are also provided with portable control phones of the types mentioned above.

Guard of the passenger carrying train shall also establish communication with control office as

soon as an accident occurs.

In addition to portable control telephones, drivers and guards of all trains shall be provided with

5-watt walkie-talkie sets, and as soon as an accident occurs, information shall be given in the 5-

watt walkie-talkie set to the adjacent station wherever possible. Apart from giving information

through the walkie-talkie to the adjacent station, it is necessary that communication is

established to the control office using portable control phones. In some sections arrangements

are available to communicate with control office on walkie- talkie/ duplex VHF sets and this may

be used where such arrangement exist.

As and when, advanced means of communication like GSM-R are deployed on the Railways;

the same shall also be used to establish communication with the control office.

Additional means of communication shall be provided progressively within the shortest possible

time as under:

Provision of Railway telephone / telephones.

Provision of BSNL telephone / telephones.

Mobile phones wherever network coverage exists.

4.2 ACCIDENT RELIEF TRAINS (ART)

Accident Relief Trains (ART) are located at strategic locations of each division. ARTs are

stabled on separate sidings having double entry for faster movement in both directions.

Rescue/Restoration equipments are kept as per Railway Board’s instructions.

Breakdown specials are kept with the following officials:

a) Mechanical & Electrical (G) tool vans - SSE/SE (Mech.)

b) Engineering tool vans - SSE/SE (P.Way)

c) Overhead equipments tool vans - SSE/SE/JE (OHE/TRD)



ARTs are provided with telecommunication equipment for providing additional facilities as

under:

1. PA system shall be established for making important announcements.

2. Megaphones shall be given as per need at site.

3. Walkie-talkie sets shall be distributed as per need.

4. Magneto communication as required at site.

5. Communication through satellite phone shall be established.

6. FAX, E-mail shall be established wherever communication media is available.

7. It shall be possible to provide the communication using satellite technology /

through Railways own OFC links, by extending bandwidth from the accident site

to the adjacent station / using BSNL connections. Mobile telephone exchange

(WLL) may be established, if available.

8. Wherever cell phone coverage exists, cell phones available with officers and with ART

shall be used.

9. It is desirable to send pictures of accident spot to Railway Board / Zonal / Divisional

Headquarters using e-mail for which extension of internet/railnet to site is required.

10. It is desirable to send video coverage to Railway Board / Zonal / Divisional

Headquarters, as and when the necessary equipment are provided in the ARTs.

4.3 ACCIDENT INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

As soon as information regarding an accident is received, accident information number shall be

activated and manned. This number shall normally be at the zonal/divisional headquarters.

Adequate personnel shall be posted by commercial branch to meet the demand depending on

the seriousness of the accident. Number of lines for this number shall be suitably augmented

depending on the demand.

Close liaison shall be maintained with BSNL officials for monitoring the call rates and increasing

the lines as necessary.

The accident information number should be made wide publicity through audio, video and print

media.



4.4 GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR MAINTENANCE OF ARTs

ARTs are provided with equipment as detailed in section 4.5. The equipments are to be

periodically tested to ensure their satisfactory working at all times. Testing / Inspections shall be

carried out as under

Complete testing by ART nominated staff: once in 15 days.

Inspection by ASTE/DSTE: once in 3 months.

Inspection by Sr.DSTE/DSTE: once every year.

A register is to be maintained in the ART for making entries for testing of equipment. Whenever

the ART returns from accident spot, equipments are to be immediately checked for their proper

working. Any short fall / missing equipment should be replaced with good working equipment at

the earliest. All equipments having shelf life, viz. jointing kits, torch cells etc., shall be replaced

in due time.

4.5 ART EQUIPMENT

The list of minimum essential equipments to be provided in ART shall be as under:

S.No ITEM Quantity A. GENERAL (Common for RE as well as non -RE areas) 1. Inspection Book 1 no. 2(a) Magneto Telephone 4 nos. 2(b) Dry cells large 6-I, 1.5 volts each for magneto phones 12 Nos. 3. PVC insulated, PVC sheathed twin core cable 500 mts 4. Microphone for cordless PA system 2 Nos. 5. Loud speaker horn type 5/10 watts 2nos. 6(a) Amplifier of minimum 20 watts power output (having

interface for cordless microphones) and operating voltage of 12 V DC

2 nos.

6(b) 12V storage battery for 6(a) along with appropriate battery charger

2 sets

7. Megaphones Transistorised (minimum 10 watts each) 3 nos.

8. Portable stand for loudspeaker with adjustable height from 1.5M to 3M.

2 nos.

9. Field service telephone cable PVC insulated (D-8)

4 drums of 500 meters each

10. Push button auto telephone with tone/pulse switching facility

4 nos

11

(a) Walkie-talkie sets (2/5watts-VHF) with 100% spare batteries

30 nos

(b) Battery chargers for 12(a) (two position charger with rapid charging)

30 nos

12. Multimeter 1 no. 13. Extension Boards for power supply (Mains) 4 nos.



14. Hand held torch of 3 cells complete with dry cells 4 nos. 15. Jointing kit & material for cables and overhead wires This is required to be

decided by the Railways themselves according to their local needs for different ARTs.

16 Control way station equipment DTMF type 2 wire & 4 wire with amplispeaker telephone and suitable Ni-Cd cells

2 nos.

17 Tape recorder (cassette type) 2 nos. 18 Cellular Phones/Fixed communication terminals. 5 Nos 19 Satellite phone (SAT phone – miniature type) 2 nos. 20 FAX Machine (Plain paper) 1 no. 21 Auto dialing system from emergency socket (only

way station emergency control telephone) 1 no.

22 Map showing sections of track where communication through cellular phone is possible

1 set.

23 WLL mobile exchange with 30 handsets 1 set.

B. TOOL BOX CONTAINING 1 Soldering iron 10W/12volts, 10 W/220V & 65 W/220V 1 no. each 2 Long nose plier 200mm 1 no. 3 Cutter diagonal 200mm 1 no 5 Box spanner 6, 5.5 & 5mm 1 no. each 6 Hammer Steel 750 grams 1 no. 7 Hammer wooden 1 no. 8 Adjustable spanner 300 mm 1 no. 9 Screw Driver – 200mm 1 no. 10 Screw Driver – 250 mm 1 no. 11 Mains tester (230 volts) 1 no. 12 Electrical insulation tape 12mm x 15 meters 1 no. 13 Resin core 500 gms C. SPECIFIC EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED FOR ARTS HAVING BEA TS IN NON-RE AREA 1 2 wire portable control phone in a suitable box with

dry cells 2 sets

2 Telescopic pole of minimum 6 meters height with its bracket opening space at least 350mm

2 nos.

3 Overhead control alignment charts 1 set D. SPECIFIC EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED FOR ARTS HAVING BEA TS IN RE AREA: 1 4 wire Emergency portable control telephone in a

suitable box with dry cells 2 sets

2 Tapping transformers (1120:1120) 2 nos each 3 Terminating transformers (1120:470) 2 nos.

Adequate space shall be provided in the ART for housing all the equipments. The telecom

equipment shall be properly housed to avoid the equipment rolling off during the movement of

ART.

Adequate packing shall be provided for sophisticated equipments like satellite phones, walkie-

talkie sets, FAX machines, PA equipment etc. Sophisticated equipments shall not be stacked



one above the other, unless packed in proper protective boxes and arrangements are provided

to secure them properly.

Arrangements shall be made for extending power supply for charging batteries for PA system,

VHF batteries etc. For satisfactory charging of batteries, regular power supply shall be made

available near to the Art location, where it is normally stationed.

4.6 STAFF FOR ART

Every ART shall have nominated telecom staff. The incharge shall generally be SE/JE and shall

be assisted by 2 Telecom Maintainers and 3 Khalasi Helpers / Khalasis. The nominated staff

shall test the ART equipment as per schedule and ensure satisfactory working of all

equipments. The nominated staff shall respond immediately whenever an accident takes place

and proceed by ART to the site of accident. The nominated staff shall be responsible for

establishing communication as detailed in para 17.5 & 17.6, immediately on reaching the site of

accident.

4.7 INSTRUCTIONS FOR TESTING OF ART EQUIPMENT

1) All active devices shall be tested for their satisfactory operation.

2) Charging of batteries shall be carried out as per requirement. The requirement may vary

depending on the battery and the self-discharge characteristics of the battery.

3) Wherever feasible, batteries shall be separated from the equipment and protected

properly to minimize the self-discharge.

4) Primary cells viz., torch cells shall be replaced as soon as deterioration in performance

is observed. In any case, the cells shall be replaced at interval not exceeding one year.

Leak proof cells only shall be used.

5) While inspecting the telecom equipments in ART, the following guidelines related to the

equipments shown against them may be observed

i. Portable Telephone Set:

a) Check for any physical damage to the phone, wires, cords and the plug. (Pole

and connecting bracket in the case of 2W PT set).

b) Condition of dry cells; change if due.

c) Quality of speech both ways.

ii. Magneto Phones:

a) Check for any physical damage to the phones & wires.


c) Quality of speech both ways.



d) Ring Test.

e) Check FS cable’s continuity & insulation.

iii. Megaphones:

a) Condition of dry cells; change if due.

b) Quality of speech and condition of volume control.

c) Working of the Siren.

iv. P.A. System:

a) Functional Test.

b) Quality of reproduction of the amplifier.

c) Condition of mike cords.

d) Condition of Loud Speaker wires.

e) Functional test in the case of cordless mike.

f) Condition of standby battery 12V.

v. Walkie – Talkie sets:

a) Functional test.

b) Quality of speech.

c) Condition of battery.

d) Battery swapping after charge.

vi. 25W VHF set:

a) Physical check of set, antenna, feeder, mike and battery cord

b) Functional test.

c) Condition of 12V storage battery.

vii. Way Station Control Equipment:

a) Functional test (Ring & Speech).

viii. Auto Dialler:

a) Functional test.

ix. Fax Machine:

a) Physical check.

b) Functional test.

x. Cassette Tape Recorder:

a) Functional test.


xi. Checking of Records:

a) Availability of all material as per check list.

b) Inspection book for record of inspections.

c) Record of charging of storage batteries & walkie-talkie batteries.

d) Record of replacement of dry cells.



4.8 ARRANGEMENTS AT DISASTER MANAGEMENT CONTROL ROO MS AT

HEADQUARTERS / DIVISIONS

The following facilities shall be available in the disaster management control rooms at

headquarters and divisions:

a) BSNL Phones – 2 Nos with ISD facility.

b) Railway Telephones – 3 Nos with STD facility.

c) Fax Machines – 1 No. connected to BSNL line and 1 No. connected to railway line.

d) Facility to extend section control to the disaster management control. The concerned

section control, in whose jurisdiction the accident takes place, shall be connected.

e) Hot line between Headquarters and divisional disaster management control rooms shall

be provided.

f) Important telephone numbers of hospitals / doctors /officials of state and district

administration and other important functionaries be kept ready.

4.9 RECOMMENDATIONS OF HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE ON DISA STER MANAGEMENT

Ministry of Railways constituted a High Level Committee vide Railway Board's Order NO: ERB-

I/2002/23/44 Dt.16.09.2002 to review the disaster management system in IR to give

recommendations to strengthen the system

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

• MEMBER MECHANICAL / RB – CONVENER

• MEMBER TRAFFIC/ RB - MEMBER

• FINANCIAL COMMISSIONER/ RB - MEMBER

• DIRECTOR GENERAL /

RAILWAY HEALTH SERVICE - MEMBER

• DIRECTOR GENERAL /RAILWAY

RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE - MEMBER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SAFETY/RB - SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE

Recommendations of the committee were accepted by the Railway Board (total 111 nos) in the

year 2003-04 & Zonal Railways were advised to implement the same.

Recommendations pertaining to Telecom are listed in the following table. These have been

implemented/under implementation in various Zonal Railways.



RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO TELECOMMUNICATION

Recommendation no. Description

43.

a) Satellite phones - all divisional & H/Q control rooms are provided with one satellite phone each. Instructions have also been issued for providing an additional satellite phone at each H/Q & Divisional Control Room. b) One ISD connection at each Zonal H/Q and Divisional control to establish communication from accident site to satellite phone - Four digits No. – 107x (where ‘x’ is the specific digit to be allotted to Railway). Specific BSNL telephone no. for railway accident information

44.

Powers to hire cell phones: In case of passenger train accident, at a station, which has cell phone connectivity, a few cell phones are to be immediately hired by the SM & the stranded passengers may be allowed to use these phones free of charge. SM should have powers to hire cell phones

96. Walkie-talkie and VHF sets – ARTs at divisional head quarters to be provided with thirty walkie-talkie sets and two nos of 25W VHF sets.

97. WLL (Wireless in Local Loop) Exchange having 50 lines capacity – ARTS at Divisional Head Quarters to be provided with one WLL Exchange having 50 lines capacity.

98.

Videoconferencing facilities from the site of accident. It is proposed to provide videoconferencing facility from disaster site to Railway Board and zonal Railway's headquarter. Initially the videoconferencing equipment will be provided in Railway Board and transportable units will be kept in one Railway head quarter.

99. Divisional ART’s to be provided with one PC along with high speed satellite modem (for internet connectivity)

The information given in this notes is taken from v arious manuals and through guest lectures and is not fully exhaustive. For further information refer the manuals and books of references enlisted in para 2.8 of this notes.