02-27-2006, 06:48 PM
<b>The Indian Railways is a unique system in planet earth and there is no other Railway system in the world whose operations are so massive, so complex and so many subjects of political pulls and pushes. It has the capacity of making and unmaking a political leader in a huge country like India. Its performance cannot be compared as some of the operational co-ordinates on which Indian Railways operate are to be found no where in the world. Even the passenger load of any important train is not comparable with any other train in any country, in terms of load, length etc.
Today, one can find that important interstate trains are moving at speeds exceeding 100 kmph. They pass the small and large stations under heavy traffic conditions. The old mechanical signaling devices have been replaced by digital electronic signal and point changing devices. Several communication systems, including optical fiber cables, microwave communication, high frequency wireless, normal telephone and of late the satellite telephone are in use. This is quite normal in the present day world.
However, the most unique feature is that the moment there is any system breakdown takes place in signaling, the kerosene oil lamp and the signaler is immediately visible on the balcony of the outer cabin of the station to ensure that the movement of the trains does not come to a halt. In some of the branch lines which are single track, the ball system is still in use for making trains pass safely. I am sure this system may have gone into disuse some 50 years ago in the West. The guard and the station master still wave the red and green flags by hand when a train passes through without stopping at some wayside small station, notwithstanding the fact that black satellite phone manufactured by ITI Bangalore hanging from their neck in black lather case.
These are only a few examples of the great diversity of the Indian system.</b>
Today, one can find that important interstate trains are moving at speeds exceeding 100 kmph. They pass the small and large stations under heavy traffic conditions. The old mechanical signaling devices have been replaced by digital electronic signal and point changing devices. Several communication systems, including optical fiber cables, microwave communication, high frequency wireless, normal telephone and of late the satellite telephone are in use. This is quite normal in the present day world.
However, the most unique feature is that the moment there is any system breakdown takes place in signaling, the kerosene oil lamp and the signaler is immediately visible on the balcony of the outer cabin of the station to ensure that the movement of the trains does not come to a halt. In some of the branch lines which are single track, the ball system is still in use for making trains pass safely. I am sure this system may have gone into disuse some 50 years ago in the West. The guard and the station master still wave the red and green flags by hand when a train passes through without stopping at some wayside small station, notwithstanding the fact that black satellite phone manufactured by ITI Bangalore hanging from their neck in black lather case.
These are only a few examples of the great diversity of the Indian system.</b>