Rules And Instructions

RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS

Short description of other rule books

1. Block Working Manual.
2. Accident Manual. 
3. Station Working Rule. 
4. Working Time Table. 
5. Operating Manual. 

1. BLOCK WORKING MANUAL 

This manual is prepared and issued by an individual Zonal Railway. This manual contains rules relating to Block working in single line and double line, condition for granting the line clear, Bell codes, shunting rules, private no. etc. The BWM should be followed in addition with the GR & SR and the contents of this book cannot be considered as the corrections to the GR & SR. The BWM consists of 18 chapters having descriptions as follows

a. General instructions.

b. Conditions for granting/obtaining line clear, conditions for taking OFF the signals, conditions for clearing the sections in different class of stations.

c. The absolute Block System.

d. Block working on Double Line.

e. Code of bell signals and mode of signaling trains on double line Block Instruments.

f. Block working on the single line.

g. Code of bell signals and mode of signaling trains on the single line Block Instrument.

h. Working of trains at block station at which Electrical Block Instrument is not provided.

i. Points affecting the movement of trains and procedure for exchange of line and signal badges at interlocked and non-interlocked stations.

j. Conditions for taking OFF Home signals and procedure for admission of trains.

k. Authority to proceed how given and SM’s responsibility as to token/line clear ticket and Block Instrument.

l. Signals and points.

m. Private number and train signal registers.

n. Panel working ( Panel interlocking, Route Relay Interlocking)

o. Block proving axle counter working.

p. The Automatic Block System.

Besides the above this book contains an appendix having broad descriptions of authority issued during operation of trains. Every Railway servant should be acquainted himself thoroughly with this book. The rules in this book should be strictly followed. This book is provided by Railway Administration to all Block Stations and Cabin. The current edition of 2008 is in force in Central Railway

2. ACCIDENT MANUAL-

2005 This manual is prepared and issued by an individual Zonal railway. It is prepared jointly by PCOM and CTPM. This manual contains rules relating to railway accidents and classification of accidents, dealing with serious accidents, rules for ART/ARME, duties of different staffs in case of accidents, procedure for dealing with in case of sabotage or train wrecking , enquiries into accidents. It consists of 8 chapters and 27 appendices.

This book contains the following details-

• Important definitions. 
• Classification of Accidents. 
• Reporting of accidents and other unusual incidents. 
• General instructions and duties of Railway Officials in case of an accident.
• Relief measures at the time of accident. 
• Procedure for dealing with cases of sabotage and train wrecking. 
• Unusual occurrences and action to be taken. 
• Investigation and enquiry of accident. 
• Disposal of enquiry report. 
• Investigation of accident by CRS. 
• Action to be taken on getting information of bad weather. 
• Availability of ART/MRV/tower wagon. 
• Punishment norms in accident cases and Ex-gratia payment. etc.

The current edition of accident manual is of 2003. This book is provided by Railway Administration to the railway servant related to train operation. It is the personal responsibility of the railway servant, that he should keep all the correction slips of this book and acquaint himself with this book.

STATION WORKING RULES (SWR)

1. Powers to issue working instructions are delegated to Divisional Railway Managers within their own divisions and to their Sr. DOM. 
2. The Station Working Rules should be framed jointly and signed by Sr. DOM and Sr. DSTE for Interlocked Stations. 
3. The Station Working Rules should be framed jointly and signed by Sr. DOM and Sr. DEN for Non-Interlocked Stations. 
4. The appendices signed by concerned officer only. 
5. In addition to GR & SR each station shall be provided with a station working Rules under special instruction. 
6. SWR is issued depending upon the local condition of the station concerned. 
7. The issue of SWR must be in conformity with the GR & SR. 
8. Object of issue of SWR is to regulate the safe working of trains in between station and shunting operation both in normal and abnormal condition. 
9. The language of SWR should be easy, understandable and convenient for the staff.

 PREPARATION, REVISION AND ISSUE OF SWR: 

• The Sr. Divisional operation Manager and Sr. DSTE will have the SWR and correction slip thereto of all the stations carefully checked on the spot to see that their correct and complete in all respect before they are finally issued and brought into force. The CTPM and CSTE may be approached for any advice if necessary. 
• If the Working Rules and instructions to be issued for regulating safe working of traffic, in and between station and in yards, involve matters, in which general rules, require either issue of ‘Approved Special Instructions’ or exception from a rule, Divisional Railway Manager, shall refer the matters to the PCOM, through CSTE who will obtain the necessary sanction from the Commissioner of Railway Safety. 
• On the expiry of Five years if up to five correction slips have been issued and no further change is contemplated, the Station Working rule should be treated as not requiring any change and should be re-validated. 
• When a sixth correction is contemplated, the Station working Rules should be revised and re-issued.
• The method of re-validation at the end of every five years can be by way of issuing revalidation order jointly signed by the Operating and S&T officers which should be placed on the Station Working Rules. Re-calling of Station Working Rules for this purpose should not be necessary. 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SM REGARDING SWR:-

1. Every SM shall ensure himself that the SWR applying to the station are correct according to the condition at site. In case of any mistake the matter shall immediately bring to the notice of the Sr. DOM/ DOM. 
2. The SM shall see that the Train passing staff working at the station have read and understood the instructions fully and obtained their signature in the “Assurance Register” 
3. The SM shall explain the contents of SWR to Group-“D” staff in Regional language.
4. Separate Assurance Register must be maintained for Group-“C” and Group “D” staff and each individual staff must declare in the Assurance Register with signature before taking times. Illiterate staff may affix their thumb impression.

ASSURANCE REGISTER

Assurance register is maintained at each and every block station for the purpose of obtaining assurance for every staff connected with trains passing works. Two kinds of  “Assurance Register” are maintained. One for Group-“C” staff and another for Group-“D” staff separately.

The assurance is obtained from staff in the following cases:-

1) When a staff report at a station newly for Trains passing works.

2) When a staff remain on leave/sick/out of head quarter 15 days or more at a stretch.

3) When any amendment is entered in the SWR or any change in lay-out of a station is

occurred.

Basic rule for signing in the “Assurance Register”:-

1) Before signing in the “Assurance Register” the staff must go thought the station working Rules, understand the duties entrusted to him and capable of performing his duties independently. In case of illiterate staff, the SM shall personally explain the SWR and duties to him and after getting him capable of performing duties independently his Signature/Thumb impression should be obtained in the Assurance Register as a token of having done so.

2) Staff concern shall produce valid competency certificate at the time of signing in the “Assurance Register”. 

Summary of the detail prescribed on SWR:-

1) Station Working Rule Diagram.

2) Description of Station.

3) System and means of working.

4) System of Signaling and interlocking.

5) Telecommunication.

6) System of Trains working.

7) Blocking of lines.

8) Rules of shunting.

9) Abnormal working.

10) VTO.

11) Essential equipment at the station.

12) Fog Signalmen nomination. 

List of Appendices of SWR:-

• Appendix -A - working of LC Gate(s) 
• Appendix - B - System of signaling and interlocking, communications. 
• Appendix – C - ACD 
• Appendix – D - Duty roster of Trains passing staff. 
• Appendix - E - Essential equipments. 
• Appendix – F - Rules for working IBH, IBS, Halts, DK class station and outlying siding. 
• Appendix – G - Working of train in electrified sections. 
• Appendix – H - History of station 

Copies of SWR should be supplied to: 

Station/ Cabin/ Panel.

• CRS 
• PCOM 
• CSTE 
• Sr. DSTE
• Sr. DEN 
• Sr. DEE (TRD)

WORKING TIME TABLE 

1. Working Timetable is a gazette issued by the operating branch of each Zonal Railway separately for each division.

 2. This is issued once in a year and its currency is from the 1st July.

3. This WTT is jointly prepared by PCOM and CPTM.

4. In sub-urban area it is issued by PCOM, CPTM and DRM.

5. It is supplied to all the staffs related to train operation like LP, Guard, SM, PWI, LI, TI etc.

6. The followings are described in a WTT:

a. Lay out of the division and route kilometer.
b. Caution notice station.
c. Do’s and Don’ts for safety staff concern,
d. Definitions and explanations of signs and abbreviations used,
e. System of working provided on different stations,
f. Particular of engines as regards weight, maximum permissible speed, and axle loads etc.
g. Statement showing the list of trains,
h. Max. permissible loads of the train,
i. Permanent speed restrictions,
j. Rake link and normal composition of trains,
k. Arrival and Departure timing of various trains at different station,
l. List of nominated and notice stations,
m. Standard of interlocking in various stations,
n. Location and composition of ART, BD. Van, and ARME,
o. Jurisdiction of senior subordinates,
p. Recovery times
q. Minimum and normal running time for different block section, etc.
r. It is an official book and cannot be sold in public.
s. Permanent Caution Order.