Device to put speed of shunting locos on check

A safety device to check over-speeding of shunting locomotives and to avoid derailments and collisions has been developed by the Tiruchi Diesel Loco Shed, the largest shed in Southern Railway zone in terms of total holding of diesel locos.The new device has been developed using existing locomotive components such as TRP Panel, General Purpose Relays, Hooter Alarm and LED Indication Panel.At present, the device has been fitted in a remanufactured shunting locomotive at the Diesel Loco Shed which has established itself as one of the pioneers in diesel loco maintenance field for its quality of workmanship and innovative culture.Fitted in the engine's control compartment, the safety device is linked to the control mechanism that monitors the power utilised for hauling purposes.The mechanism has been done in such way that the device will automatically restrict the power supply that is fed into the traction motors for moving the wheels in case of over-speeding by the loco pilot, says a senior railway officer of the shed.The device will not allow the loco pilot to exceed the speed of 15 kilometre per hour permitted during shunting operations even if he attempts to accelerate the shunting loco, which are utilised in stations, coaching depots and yards.Exceeding the permitted speed limit not only damages the concrete aprons at stations, points and crossings but also leads to overshooting of signals, derailments and collisions.The safety device had been developed with a view to eliminating over-speeding during shunting operation, the officer said adding that over speed alert would be provided through an audio-visual indication in the loco pilot's cabin.While working in a down gradient, the loco could gain speed due to the momentum even if the power was cut off by the device. In such cases when the speed of the loco exceeds 17 kilometres per hour, the device would automatically apply the formation brake and the engine would come to a standstill.In addition to ensuring permissible speed for shunting, the device would eliminate the possibility of damages to points and crossings, concrete apron, derailments, over shooting of signals and collisions, the officer said.A switch would be provided in the shunting loco to bypass the device so as to enable them chug at higher speed whenever they were utilised for other than shunting purpose. The safety device has the provision for recording data regarding over-speeding and use of the bypass switch.“We will share this innovation with the Railway Board soon,” says the Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi, P.V. Vaidialingam adding that the safety device would be provided in all the shunting locos of the Tiruchi Railway Division by January.The Diesel Loco Shed houses 132 diesel locomotives including eight high horsepower EMD locos which can travel at a speed of 140 kilometres per hour.