Railway - Begin (1)

Note : Railway Diaries follows the Number on the Post Title

Vishwanath Sir, Vishwanath Sir…that’s the wake up call by the call boy to book me for a train at 0300 Hrs. I look into the Train no. its PSJT Spl to Hospet and Driver Mr. Christopher.

After signing the call book I get ready. Bath a mandate for me no matter what time it is, a short prayer asking for blessings for myself, driver and the train to reach the destination safe. Depending on the time left is when I decide if I have to cook something for enroute.

After reaching the Lobby, sign the log register with the Train/Driver’s name, collect the Caution Order and wait for the Train to arrive which sometimes has already arrived and most of the times the wait in the Lobby itself takes 5-6 Hrs and after 6 Hrs if you want to sign off and go home you can (But rarely we sign off, because we all understand that there is a serious shortage of Running Staff).

Finally the Train arrives and I check the fuel balance and the following-, headlight, flasher light, all brake pipe hoses and the coupling, radiator room, generator room, brake shoes, water level gauge, expressor room, sand in the sand boxes and finally clean the wind shield and the control stand.

Now comes the second part of the wait time, you wait for the signal of your line.

Main line starter, advance starter proceed .oOo that’s the whistle code, one short one long one short when the train starts the station. At the first curve where you can see the full formation, I look back and shout, formation rolling intact and Guard signal right.

Approach of the next station – Distant signal caution…….Distant signal caution Home danger and then Home signal caution line 1 ….. Line 1 starter danger.

You get down, do a check of the break shoes, and blow down the air tank to release moisture. Wait for the train to cross and exchange signal (green flag in your left hand and red flag in your right hand, the moment you notice something wrong in the crossing train you raise the red flag immediately)

Line 1 starter caution, advance starter proceed and the short long short whistle code and the train leaves the station.

Then between this station and the next station you have a level crossing for which Gate Distant proceed and then Gate signal proceed (If gate signal is danger then Gate Distant is caution).

Approach of next station – Distant signal attention, Line 1 Caution, line 1 starter caution, advance signal proceed and exchange signal with the station staff.

Finally after crossing all the stations you reach the Destination, halt your train, apply hand brakes, note the fuel balance and if charge is not taken over unscrew the lever for throttle and break and take it to the Combined Crew Booking Office. Sign off and rush to the Running Room.

Depending on what time of the day it is you give rice to the cook and get vegetables and toor dhal and also oil for the curry from a near by store.

A quick shower, a full house meal and then off to the bed.

And the trip continues in a similar routine.

Terms :-

Call Boy- the designation for the person who comes to inform you about the train in advance.

Call Book- the book where you sign telling that you will report to work or if you are calling sick.

Lobby (Combined Crew Booking Office)- office where you report and sign the registry.

Running Staff- Engine Driver, Assistant Driver and Guard.

Running Room- place where the running staff stays at destination.

Have had great experiences in two years of my life (2002-2004) that I spent in Railways as a Diesel Assistant. Will share more in the near future and this post was to set foundation and also I was checking myself if I still remember the terminology.