Railway Traffic
Railway Traffic
Key Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Traffic Department is the “revenue-earning” wing of Indian Railways. |
| 2 | Controls & coordinates movement of Passenger & Freight trains. |
| 3 | Headed by Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM) at Zonal HQ. |
| 4 | Divisional Operations Manager (DOM) is the in-charge at Division level. |
| 5 | Train movement is governed by the “Working Time Table” (WTT). |
| 6 | Station Master (SM) is the lowest supervisory traffic officer. |
| 7 | Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) cabins operate colour-light signals through panel interlocking. |
| 8 | Section 52 of IR Act empowers Railway to regulate traffic for public safety. |
| 9 | “Green” signal means “proceed; route is clear & all switches normal”. |
| 10 | “Calling-on” signal is a small yellow light below main signal for shunting. |
| 11 | Automatic Block System (ABS) allows trains to run at 3–5 min headway. |
| 12 | Absolute Block System is mandatory on single-line sections. |
| 13 | “Train parting” is treated as a “failure of rolling-stock”, not a “train accident”. |
| 14 | T/409 is the form used for granting line-clear to a train. |
| 15 | “Railway” as per Section 2(34) of Railways Act includes permanent way, stations & rolling-stock. |
| 16 | “Station” is defined in Section 2(27) as any place declared as such by Central Govt. |
| 17 | “Block section” is the portion between two block stations under absolute block. |
| 18 | “Warning signal” (Outer signal) is placed ≥ 580 m before home signal in BG. |
| 19 | “Shunt signal” is distinguished by a white disk with red & green slits. |
| 20 | “Engine failure on line” is classified as a “traffic failure” and not a “consequential accident”. |
Important Points
- Traffic & Commercial departments together generate 100 % of IR’s revenue.
- Working Time Table is revised every year—wailing effective from 1st August.
- Green & Yellow flags/lights are used only for signalling; red flag is for danger.
- “Gate signal” is provided at level-crossing to protect train movement.
- “Station limits” extend from outermost stop signal to the last trailing points.
- “Engine on point” rule prohibits engine standing on facing point switch.
- “Token” in tablet system is authority to enter single-line block section.
- “Train” as per GR 2.02 includes any rolling-stock proceeding under authority.
- “Railway servant” under Section 3 of Railways Act can prosecute trespassers.
- “Accident” under GR 3.52 covers collision, derailment, fire, explosion, etc.
- “Gate mitra” is a civilian helper, not a railway employee, at unmanned LC.
- The maximum penalty for unauthorized chain-pulling is ₹1,000 + imprisonment up to 1 year (Section 141).
Practice MCQs
Question:01 Who is the head of the Traffic Department at the zonal level in Indian Railways?
A) Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM)
B) Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM)
C) Principal Chief Engineering Manager (PCEM)
D) Principal Chief Signal & Telecom Manager (PCSTE)
Correct Answer: B Explanation: At the zonal level, the Traffic Department is headed by the Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM), who oversees train operations, scheduling, and related traffic functions.Show Answer
A) T/369
B) T/409
C) T/512
D) T/602
Correct Answer: B Explanation: Form T/409 is the prescribed document for authorising line-clear to a train.Show Answer
A) 540 m
B) 560 m
C) 580 m
D) 600 m
Correct Answer: C Explanation: As per Indian Railways signalling norms for Broad Gauge (BG), the minimum distance between the outer signal and the home signal is 580 metres.Show Answer
A) Starter signal
B) Calling-on signal
C) Shunt signal
D) Repeater signal
Correct Answer: B Explanation: A Calling-on signal is used to allow a train to proceed cautiously into an occupied platform or track section under special conditions.Show Answer
A) Station yard
B) Block section
C) Running line
D) Interlocked siding
Correct Answer: B Explanation: In the absolute block system, the track portion lying between two consecutive block stations is designated as the “block section” and is protected so that only one train can occupy it at any time.Show Answer
A) Track Circuit Block System
B) Automatic Block System
C) Token Block System
D) Manual Block System
Correct Answer: B Explanation: The Automatic Block System (ABS) divides the track into automatic block sections, allowing trains to follow each other at very short intervals—typically 3–5 minutes—by continuously verifying block occupancy and clearing signals automatically.Show Answer
A) Red
B) Yellow
C) White
D) Green
Correct Answer: C Explanation: The disk of a shunt signal is painted white to distinguish it from main signal aspects and indicate that it governs shunting movements only.Show Answer
A) Railway
B) Contract
C) not a railway
D) Outsourced
Correct Answer: C Explanation: Gate Mitra is a non-railway person deployed at manned level crossings to assist in safe train operations and public awareness; hence, he/she is “not a railway” employee.Show Answer
A) mechanical
B) traffic
C) electrical
D) signaling
Correct Answer: B Explanation: When an engine fails while on the running line, it directly impedes the movement of trains, so it is categorized as a traffic failure.Show Answer
A) 48
B) 50
C) 52
D) 54
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Section 52 of the Indian Railways Act confers power on the railway administration to regulate traffic for ensuring safety.
BETA
