CHAP XVII)

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

317

CHAPTER XVII

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTION OF RAILWAYS
17.01 Applicability of General Rules:- All rules referring to the working
trains shall also apply to electrified sections except as
otherwise provided in the rules contained in this chapter.
17.02 Special definitions applicable to this Chapter:- In these rules,
unless the context otherwise requires.
(1)

"Electrical way and works" means the traction installations

including overhead equipment and other connected works
provided on the electrified sections of the railway.

(2)

"Feeding post" means a supply control post, where the

incoming feeder lines from grid sub-station are terminated.

(3)

"Neutral section" means a short section of insulated and dead

overhead equipment which separates the areas fed by adjacent
sub-stations or feeding posts.

(4)

"Power Block" means blocking of a section of line to electric

traffic only.

(5)

"Supply control post" means an assembly of interrupters,

isolator switches, remote control equipment and other apparatus
provided for controlling power supply to overhead equipment.
It includes feeding posts, sectioning and paralleling posts and
sub-sectioning posts.

(6)

"Tower wagon" means a self-propelled vehicle which is used

for the maintenance and repairs of overhead equipment.

(7)

"Traction Power Controller" means a competent railway servant

who may for the time being beresponsible for the control of
power supply on the traction distribution system.

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

318

CHAP XVII)

17.03 Inspection of electrical way and works:- The electrical way and
works shall be inspected regularly in accordance with special
instructions, by officials nominated for the purpose and in
accordance with the duties assigned to them.
S.R. 17.03/1 : The inspection as mentioned in G.R. 17.03 shall be carried out in
accordance with the instructions laid down in Northern Railway AC Traction Manual.
S.R. 17.03/2 : Issue of Caution Order:- In case of breakdown of overhead equipment,
when it is necessary for a train to proceed cautiously, the Traction Foreman (overhead
Equipment) responsible for such notification, shall arrange for issue of Caution Order
in accordance with the rules in force. An authorised person shall be present at the
site and shall be responsible for showing signals prescribed in G.R. 4.09 & S.R.s
thereto.
S.R. 17.03/3 : Protection of trains in electrified section:- Whenever a Loco Pilot
finds that his train cannot proceed further on account of OHE failure/brakedown of
over head equipment, Loco Pilot and guard shall arrange protection of the line affected
in accordance with GR 6.03. In case of breakdown in an Automatic Signalling section,
the track must be protected in accordance with GR 9.10. Thereafter Loco Pilot /
guard will take action to advise the traction power controller on the nearest emergency
telephone shocket or on mobile phone giving details of the breakdown. In case this
shocket is not available, the information should be communicated through the nearest
station master/cabin ASM/switchman by first available means.

17.04 Permit-to-work on electrical equipment:- If work is to be carried

out adjacent to the electrical equipment or any other part
thereof by other than the competent railway servant, such work
shall be done only when and for such time as the person-incharge of the work has obtained a written permit-to-work, duly
signed and given by the railway servant authorised for the
purpose by special instructions. He, in turn, shall issue the
same only with knowledge of the Traction Power Controller.
S.R. 17.04/1 :
(a)

A permit to work must be obtained if work is to be carried out or any worker

is required to come within 2 metres (6'-7") of the overhead equipment.

CHAP XVII)

(b)

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

319

The permit to work can be issued by any competent traction distribution official
not lower in rank than a senior Lineman pertaining to the section concerned,
subject to prior sanction of Divisional Electrical Engineer (Traction
Distribution).

S.R. 17.04/2 : Work on service buildings and structures in the vicinity of live
equipmentRailway staff required to carry out work on service buildings and structure in proximity
of overhead equipment shall exercise special care to ensure that tools, measuring
tapes, materials etc. are not placed in a position from, which they are likely to fall
on or make contact with electrical equipment.

17.05 Warning to staff and public:(1)

All electrical equipment shall be regarded as being live at all

time and consequently dangerous to human life, save and
except in cases where the electrical equipment has been
specially made dead in accordance with special instructions.
Caution notices shall be prominently fixed near all vulnerable
places to warn staff and public to exercise due caution.

(2)

No person shall climb on the top of engines or tenders or on

the roofs of carriage or wagons when those vehicles are
located beneath overhead equipment except when the
overhead equipment is dead and earthed in accordance with
special instructions.

S.R. 17.05/1 : Electrical equipment may be declared to have been made dead only
when it has been isolated and earthed as per instructions contained in Northern
Railway AC Traction Manual.
S.R. 17.05/2 : Caution notices of the type shown ahead shall be displayed near
vulnerable locations.

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

320

CHAP XVII)

NOTE:- SCALE N.T.S.-5

1.

ALL DIMENSIONS-IN mm.

2.

MATERIAL-M.S. SHEET OF 1.6 mm. To 2.0 mm. THICKNESS.

3.

HOLES TO BE DRILLED BEFORE ENAMELLING.

4.

LETTERING GILLSANS STYLE 5 mm. THICKNESS AS SHOWN.

5.

COLOURS AS FOLLOWS :

6.

(i)

LETTERS-WHITE WEATHER PROOF VITREOUS

ENAMELLED.

(ii)

BACK GROUND - SIGNAL RED WEATHER PROOF VIT.

ENAMELLED.

REARSIDE :- BLACK W.P. - VIT. ENAMELLED.

S.R. 17.05/3 : For the purpose of G.R. 17.05 (2), the person required to climb on
top of engines or tenders or on the roofs of carriages & wagons shall obtain a permit
to work as per G.R. 17.04 before climbing up.

17.06 Alterations to track:- Before any alteration to alignment or level

of electrified tracks is commenced due notice shall be given
to those responsible for the overhead equipment so that the
overhead equipment may be adjusted to conform to the new
conditions.
S.R. 17.06/1 :- The notice under G.R. 17.06 shall be given to the Divisional Electrical
Engineer (Traction Distribution).

17.07 Tripping of circuit breakers of locomotives and electrical

multiple units at neutral sections:Unless otherwise allowed by special instructions, the Loco Pilot
of the locomotive or electrical multiple unit shall coast through

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

CHAP XVII)

321

the neutral section, duly switching off powers. Necessary

indication boards to this effect shall be provided to guide the
Loco Pilot to switch off and switch on power.
S.R. 17.07/1 : Indication boards shall be provided at 500 metres and 250 metres
in advance of the neutral section. Additional boards shall be provided just short of
and immediately after the neutral section to indicate to the Loco Pilot, the points
where he should open and reclose, the circuit breaker on the locomotive. The boards
to be provided are shown at A, B, C and D respectively in the drawing shown below-

75cm.

75cm.

45cm.

80 cm.

80 cm.

45cm.

40cm.

40cm.

WARNING SIGNALS ON POSTS 2 METERS

ABOVE RAIL LEVEL

322

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

CHAP XVII)

17.08 Tower wagon:- The rules for the movement and working of
tower wagons shall be laid down by special instructions.
S.R. 17.08/1 : The movement of tower wagons will be governed by all the rules
governing movement of trains.
S.R. 17.08/2 : Driving of Tower Wagon:(i)

No tower wagon shall be driven except by an authorised person and no person

shall be so authorised, unless he has knowledge of the section on which
tower wagon is operating in addition to being conversant with the operation
of tower wagon.

(ii)

The maximum speed of the Tower Wagon/OHE Inspection Cars shall not
exceed the speed as prescribed by the administration for various types of
Tower Wagon/OHE Inspection Cars, subject to the restrictions (Temporary
or Permanent) imposed on account of Engineering, Signalling or other
considerations.

S.R. 17.08/3 : Tower Wagons pantograph:- The use of the pantograph mounted
on the roof of the tower wagon shall be in accordance with the instructions contained
in the A.C. Traction Manual.
S.R. 17.08/4 : Revolving tower on tower wagon:(i)

The revolving tower shall normally lie along the length of the tower wagon.

(ii)

The revolving tower shall be raised or lowered only when the lower wagon is
stationary.

(iii)

The revolving wagon shall be moved out of the normal position, only when
the tower wagon is stationary.

(iv)

The tower wagon shall be moved only after the revolving tower has been
brought back to normal position.

S.R. 17.08/5 : Independent placement and movement/working of ladder trolleys in

section open to traffic is prohibited.

17.09 Additional rules for electrified sections:- Special instructions for

working of trains on electrified sections shall be notified by the
authorised officer.
S.R. 17.09/1 : Sectioning and Sliding Switches:- Section and sliding switches
installed in the overhead equipment shall be operated only by such officials as are
certified as competent to do so by the Traction Foreman (Overhead Equipment). The
certificate of competency for this purpose shall be valid for a period of 5 Years.
S.R. 17.09/2 : No switch affecting the feed to main running line or loop line (s) shall
be closed or opened without permission of the Traction Power Controller.

CHAP XVII)

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

323

S.R. 17.09/3 : All operations of section or isolating switches, when completed, shall
be reported to the Traction Power Controller in all cases.
S.R. 17.09/4 : Procedure for preventing admission to electric rolling stock into or
over sections of track with dead or earthed overhead lines.
(a)

In order to prevent electric rolling-stock from being admitted into a track or

a crossover for which overhead equipment is made dead or for which a permitto-work is to be issued, the levers/slide of signals and points in the signal
cabins governing such movements of electric rolling stock shall be protected
by means of lever/slide collars. If the points and signals are locally operated,
they should be clamped and padlocked in their normal position and the keys
shall be kept with the Station Master.

(b)

The lever/slide collars shall not be removed until the Station Master or Cabin
Assistant Station Master receives from the Section Controller and
acknowledges a message supported by a private number cancelling the
power block. The section controller shall not issue such a message unless
he has received a written message duly supported by a private number from
the Traction Power Controller cancelling the Power block.

Note : When a movement of non-electric rolling stock is to be made into or out

of such lines under power block, the lever collars may temporarily be removed
and replaced immediately after the movement it completed.
S.R.17.09/5 : Accident and unusual occurrence in electrified territory:(1)

Duties and responsibilities of Traction Power Controller, Section Controller

and Station Master in case of No Tension / Fault Tripping in over Head
Equipment:-

(a)

Fault Isolations:(i)

In an electrified section in the event of overhead equipment failure,

Traction Power Controller shall immediately identify and localize the
faulty section and isolate the same. In case of double and multiple
line sections, he shall also isolate healthy section on adjacent track
on the same route length as faulty section. The Traction Power
Controller shall then advise the Section Controller in writing or on
phone under exchange of private number, of the section found faulty
and healthy section temporarily isolated.

(ii)

On receipt of the advice from Traction Power Controller, the Section

Controller shall take action as under:- Section Controller shall, under
exchange of private number, advise Station Master of Stations on
either side of isolated sections to treat the faulty section as if the
same is under emergency power block and take action accordingly.

324

(b)

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

CHAP XVII)

On double line section - Healthy section temporarily isolated:

(i)
The Section Controller shall check whether any train has entered in
the faulty section. If not he shall advise the concerned SM to issue
caution order to the Loco Pilot of the first train on unaffected section
to keep a sharp look out on the adjacent line/lines to see, if there
are any OHE abnormalities. On reaching the next station, Loco
Pilot, should report whether or not the section over which he has
passed, is safe for train movement. Then Section Controller will
advise the Traction Power Controller in writing to re-energize the
healthy section that was temporarily isolated.
(ii)
If however, train has entered in faulty section, the Section Controller
shall immediately inform SMs of all stations, who are concerned with
working of train in the faulty section and also in the section in which
healthy over head equipment is temporarily isolated, under exchange
of private number, that they shall not allow any train to enter the
affected block sections unless both Loco Pilot and Guard of the first
train in unaffected section have been issue, caution order to this
effect.
"Proceed with speed not exceeding 60 KMPH during day when visibility
ahead is clear and not exceeding 30 KMPH during night subject to
observance of other speed restrictions" and "keep a sharp look
out and be prepared to stop short of any obstruction, which may be
due to any infringement from the adjacent line / lines and also keep
a sharp look out on the adjacent line / lines to see if there are any
overhead equipment abnormalities. On reaching the next station Loco
Pilot to report whether or not the section over which they have passed
is safe for train movement".
(iii)
Only after taking this action, the Section Controller shall advise the
Traction Power Controller in writing that necessary precautions have
been taken to ensure safety of the train. The Traction Power
Controller shall then restore the feed to the healthy section, which
was temporarily isolated.
(iv)
Action to remove speed restrictions shall be taken by the Section
Controller in consultation with Station Master on receipt of report from
the Loco Pilot and the Guard that the section is free of obstruction.
Section Controller shall also advise the Traction Power Controller of
the report of Loco Pilot / Guard of the train indicating whether or not
there are any infringements or abnormalities in Over Head Equipment.
Till such time it is decided to remove speed restriction, subsequent
train shall be allowed to enter into the section only with permission

CHAP XVII)

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

325

from the Section Controller and shall continue to be issued caution

order prescribing clearly the speed restriction and other precautions,
as pointed out in b (ii) above.
(2)

(a)

Duties and responsibilities of Traction Power Controller and Section

Controller in the event of any abnormality in train on Electric Traction
necessitating 'Switching Off' of overhead equipment supply:(i)

As soon as Traction Power Controller comes to know about unsafe

condition of a train working on Electrified Section, he shall
immediately switch 'Off' the overhead equipment supply of both the
lines of relevant sub-section Traction Power Controller shall then
advise in writing, the Section Controller of sections in which over head
equipment has been switched 'Off'.

(ii)

On receipt of advice from Traction Power Controller, the Section

Controller shall, under exchange of private number, advise Station
Master of all stations, who are concerned with working of trains in
the affected section to treat the dead section as if the same is under
emergency power block and to ensure that no train is allowed to enter
into the section.

Healthy section temporarily isolated:(i)

Station Master will not allow any train to enter even Healthy line of
the affected Section, unless both Loco Pilot and Guard of the first
train of unaffected section have been issued Caution Order to
proceed with the restricted speed not exceeding 60 KMPH during day
when view ahead is clear and 30 KMPH during night subject to
observance of other speed restrictions and keep a sharp look out
and be prepared to stop short of any obstruction, which may be due
to any infringement or overhead equipment abnormalities from the
adjacent line/lines. Also advise loco pilot to report immediately on
reaching the next station whether or not the section over which they
have passed is safe for the train.

(ii)

If loco pilot of unaffected section contacts him on phone, the

overhead equipment of unaffected portion should be resumed and
he will be asked to proceed with the restricted speed not exceeding
60 Kmph during day when view ahead is clear and 30 Kmph during
night subject to observance of other speed restrictions and shall keep
a sharp look out and be prepared to stop, short of any obstruction,

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

326

CHAP XVII)

which may be due to any infringement from the adjacent line/lines.

On reaching the next Station loco pilot will report whether or not the
section over which they have passed is safe for train movement.
(iii)
(b)

(3)

After ascertaining that there is no infringement to adjacent track,the

caution order as indicated above shall be withdrawn immediately.

Section having affected train:(i)

After getting information from the crew of the affected train about
the nature of abnormality, decision regarding recharging of the
overhead Equipment shall be taken by the Section Controller in
consultation with Chief controller/ Dy. Chief Controller (Shift duty) and
controller of concerned department.

(ii)

If the loco pilot of the affected train contacts Traction power Controller/
Control and no defect is detected in the train , on resumption of
overhead Equipment he will be asked by control to clear the block
section with the restricted speed not exceeding 60 Kmph during day
when view ahead is clear and 30 Kmph during night subject to
observance of other speed restrictions and shall keep a sharp look
out for any abnormality in the train. On arrival at the station the staff
of concerned department should check the train,if no abnormality
detected the train should resume at normal speed.

Duties and responsibilities of the Loco Pilot and the Guard in case of
overhead equipment tripping/No tension in overhead equipment:(i)

In case of transient tripping overhead equipment the Loco Pilot shall

resume normal traction and keep a sharp lookout including on the
adjacent line/lines to see, if there are any abnormalities/obstructions
and will inform to the guard through walkie-talkie or whistle code about
Tripping in overhead equipment .The Guard of the train will look out
for any abnormality on his train. The Assistant Loco Pilot should look
back and observe his train for any abnormality.

(ii)

If no tension in overhead equipment continues, the Loco Pilot shall

immediately switch'On' the Loco flasher and control the speed (Not
exceeding 60 Kmph at night) so as to be able to stop short of any
obstruction and stop his train close to first emergency socket and
will communicate with the Traction Power Controller/Control to know
the reason for no tension in overhead Equipment. The crew should
act according to advice of control.

CHAP XVII)

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

327

(iii)

If, it is not possible to communicate with the Traction Power

Controller/Control immediately, the Loco Pilot shall depute the
Assistant Loco Pilot to get down and check the train with the Guard
in order to look for any abnormality for any defect in his train including
Locomotive. After the train has been checked , the Loco Pilot /Guard
shall inform Section Controller of the abnormality and assistance
required, if any, or otherwise, through emergency phone of other line,
Walkie-Talkie, Level Crossings gate or through train of other direction
or by any other means of communication and act in accordance with
advice of control. In case no abnormality is noticed in his train, Loco
Pilot should switch 'Off' the loco flasher.

(v)

If in the mean time power supply to overhead equipment gets

restored, the Loco Pilot shall resume normal traction no sooner he
comes to know of such resumption of supply.

S.R. 17.09/6 : In case a train worked by an electric engine is found passing with
hot axle in a dangerous condition or a wagon/coach with brake-block assembly hanging
or anything unusual which could be dangerous for the Safety of train/passengers,
the switchman/Station Master shall immediately try to stop the train by attracting
attention of the Loco Pilot /Guard by showing Red hand signal, putting back signals
to 'ON' and by gesticulating and/or Walkie-Talkie sets etc. if, however, he fails to
attract attention of the Loco Pilot /Guard to stop the train, he shall inform the TPC
directly or through the section control, where TPC phone is not provided or happens
to be out of order. The TPC shall arrange to switch off the power supply of the
concerned section immediately.
Above information shall be given to the section Controller/Traction Power Controller
under an exchange of private numbers. In case traction Power Controller has been
directly informed, Section Controller has also to be informed subsequently.
SR 17.09/7 : Whenever any train gets held up in the block section for more than
3 minutes due to no tension, the Loco Pilot of the train shall depute his Assistant
Loco Pilot to check the train in order to look for any abnormality and to advise the
Guard of no tension in OHE. The Guard shall then check the entire train alongwith
the Assistant Loco Pilot.
If, in the meantime, power supply is restored, the Loco Pilot shall call back his
Assistant Loco Pilot to the loco by sounding a continuous whistle and then resume
journey on his reaching the engine.

328

WORKING OF TRAINS ON
ELECTRIFIED SECTIONS OF RAILWAY

CHAP XVII)

Otherwise, after the train is checked, the Loco Pilot and Guard in consultation with
the Assistant Loco Pilot shall inform the Section Controller/Traction Pwer Controller
of the details of abnormality if any or otherwise, send assistance required through
the nearest emergency telephone circuit/by other available means.
The Loco Pilot and Guard shall arrange protection of the affected line in accordance
with GR 6.03. In case of automatic signalling territories, the protection shall be done
as per GR 9.10.
After ascertaining the nature of abnormality in the affected train from Guard
and Loco Pilot , decision regarding recharging of OHE shall be taken by the Section
Controller in consultation with the Deputy CHC, Guard, Loco Pilot and concerned
Station Masters shall be advised accordingly and action shall thereafter be initiated
by the Dy. CHC for clearance of abnormality.
SR 17.09/8 : Restoration of OHE supply by the Traction Power Controller will be
undertaken only on the advice of Section Controller under exchange of private
numbers.
SR 17.09/9 : If the Switching off of the OHE taken place on a graded section, action
as stipulated in SRG-25 shall also be initiated by the train crew.