G & SR

CHAPTER XV PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS 373

a written memorandum. The Engineering official shall
simultaneously arrange to send message to the Station Master
for the need to block the track and obtain written confirmation
of the same. In such emergent cases, work shall be
commenced only after advising the Loco Pilot and bringing
the train to a stop.

Provided that the exhibition of Stop signals may be dispensed
with, if such operations are performed or carried out after
the necessary signals other than Automatic Stop Signals have,
in addition to being placed in the 'ON' position, been
disconnected, so that such signal cannot be taken 'OFF' again
until it is safe to do so and the corresponding adequate
distance beyond such signals is kept clear:

Provided further that when the area of work is controlled by
Automatic signals the railway servant in charge of the work
shall post a competent railway servant at an adequate
distance in rear of the site of the work to Stop and warn any
train approaching the affected area.

SR 15.08(1)(A) The time selected for the execution of the work shall be such as
will cause the least interference to the traffic movement and
operations.

(B) (i) Works which require imposition of speed restriction or availing of
blocks such as oiling and greasing of fishplates, fish bolts, cropping
of rails, welding of rails, greasing of girder bearings, creep
adjustments, realignment of curves, lifting and lowering of track,
renewal of bridge timbers, painting of sleeper seats on girders, crane
operations both in electrified and non-electrified areas, overhauling
of points and crossings, renewal of turnouts, renewal of rails and
sleepers, etc., may be carried out after issue of prior intimation to
Sr. Divisional Operations Manager / Divisional Operations Manager
at least a fortnight in advance. These works shall be carried out
during daytime only Sr. Divisional Operations Manager / Divisional
Operations Manager shall notify the traffic staff concerned about
the schedule of these works and time and duration of such blocks
on each date.

The official in-charge shall, however, not take any work in hand,
unless he has obtained prior approval of the Sr. Divisional Operations
Manager/ Divisional Operations Manager. Before taking the work in
hand, the official-incharge should issue a message to all concerned
detailing the work for issue of caution orders and get their
acknowledgements. Execution of works, issue of messages and
caution orders will be on day-to-day basis and no Traffic Working
Order would be required to be issued. These works must be
completed in one day only.

(ii) Other normal routine day-to-day maintenance works, which do not
require imposition of speed restriction or availing of block and may
be completed during the day hours only, may be taken in hand
without approval of Sr. Divisional Operations Manager/ Divisional
Operations Manager, subject to official-incharge advising all
concerned. He shall, however, take necessary measures to protect
the site as he shall be solely responsible for the safety of trains and
the workmen.

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374 PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS CHAPTER XV

(C) Works involving overhauling of signals and lever frames, additions
and alterations to permanent signalling arrangements, provision of
temporary diversions, relaying and such other works causing
interference with traffic and/or imposition of speed restriction for
more than one day shall be carried out under Traffic Working Order.
The Divisional Engineer or the Divisional Signal and
Telecommunication Engineer or the Divisional Electrical Engineer
(Traction) will advise details of work to the Sr. Divisional Operations
Manager / Divisional Operations Manager (as the case may be)
who will ensure the issue of Traffic Working Orders.

(D) An Engineering block must always be obtained before
commencement of work in following cases: -

(i) When a rail is to be disconnected at such locations, where the risk
involved in the case of an accident may be of a grave nature, e.g.,
on a bridge or on approaches to a bridge, high embankment, etc.

(ii) Re-laying or renewal of track on a high embankment or on bridges,
or approaches to a bridge;

(iii) Any other works which may render the line unsafe for the passage
of trains.

(iv) Specifically laid down in the Traffic Working Order.

The line shall be blocked by observing the procedure prescribed
under SR 15.08(3).

SR 15.08(2)(A) 48 hours before the commencement of the work, the Section
Engineer (P.Way) or the Section Engineer (Signal) of the section or
in his absence, his Assistant Section Engineer will give written or
telephonic notice to the Station Masters on either side of the block
sections, Chief Controller, Senior Section Engineer (Loco) concerned
and Station Master of Guards' changing stations and to all other
stations who are required to issue a Caution Order. This message
shall contain the particulars about the time the work should
commence, the nature of the work to be done, the special precautions
to be observed by Loco Pilots, the kilometres between which such
special precautions are necessary and the speed at which trains
must travel. All concerned to whom this message is issued will
acknowledge the same by a numbered message through control
and send confirmation copy through written letter.

On receipt of the acknowledgements of the message, the Section
Controller on duty will record the same in his diary and will transmit
the same in the form of a message to the Station Masters on either
side of the concerned block section who, in turn, shall convey it to
the Section Engineer in-charge of the work. The Section Engineer
in-charge will personally ensure that all concerned have
acknowledged the message before the work is taken in hand.

(B) After the completion of the work, when the speed restriction is to
be withdrawn or relaxed, the Section Engineer in-charge of the work
will send a message to the Station Master of the nearest station
endorsing a copy to all those who were previously informed about
the imposition of the restriction. The Station Master receiving the
message from the Section Engineer, will transmit the same to the
Section Controller on duty who shall take steps to transmit the

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CHAPTER XV PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS 375

same to the Station Masters and Senior Section Engineer (Loco)
concerned and obtain their acknowledgements and convey these
acknowledgements to the Station Masters on either side of the
affected section.

Note: - On the non-controlled sections and also during failure of control
circuit on Controlled Sections, all messages in connection with
imposition, relaxation or cancellation of restrictions and their
acknowledgements should be transmitted on the DOT telephone /
V.H.F. Set and confirmation copies sent by trains.

(C) In cases of urgency the Section Engineer (P.Way)/ Section Engineer
(Signal), or his Assistant Section Engineer concerned, or Permanent
Way Supervisor shall give written notice to the nearest Station Master
giving the detailed information about the work etc., as laid down in
SR 15.08 (2)(A) above.

The Station Master will at once consult the Section Controller and
communicate full particulars (including precautions to be taken) to
the Station Master at the opposite end of the block section. He will
obtain the approval of the Section Controller and then the
acknowledgement of the Station Master at the opposite end of the
block section supported by a private number before giving Line Clear
for a train to enter the section.

In the case of rail fracture, in the absence of Section Engineer
(P.Way), the Gangmate or the Rail Mistry may undertake the work
of immediate repairs to the track viz., bringing the adjoining sleepers
closer and properly spiking the rail at the place of the fracture.

After the completion of the work, Gangmate / Permanent Way
Supervisor shall advise the Station Master to allow trains to pass
over the affected portion of the track at a speed of dead Stop and 10
kmph.

SR 15.08(3)(A) Immediately on receipt of the message bringing the Traffic Working
Order into force from the Sr. Divisional Operations Manager /
Divisional Operations Manager or from the Section Engineer
(P.Way)/ Section Engineer (Signal) of the section, or from his
Assistant Section Engineer, (if the Section Engineer concerned
cannot be present) the Station Master on either side of the block
section must make an entry in red ink in the remarks column of the
appropriate section of the Train Signal/ Message Register as the
case may be, as follows: -

Vide Traffic Working Order No………………dated…………. no trains
except those required by the Engineering Department must be
allowed to enter the block section between the hours of …….. and
………… on the following date or dates.

This remark must be made by the Station Master directly on the
message is received in the remarks column of the page or pages of
the Register which will be in use on the date or dates while the
restriction is imposed.

(B) When the line is required to be completely blocked, it shall be done
observing the following procedure: -

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376 PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS CHAPTER XV

(i) Single Line.-

(ii) When the system of working is by Token Block Instrument, either
of the Station Masters controlling the section shall extract the token
Note: - from the Block Instrument and after making necessary entries in
(C) red ink in the Train Signal Register, will keep this token locked up
in the cash safe. Where the last Stop signal is controlled by a
cosserat key transmitted by the Station Master, the same should
also be kept in the cash safe along with the token.

Where the system of working is on the Tokenless Block Instrument,
the Station Master on either side of the section shall extract the
'SH' key from the Block Instrument and keep it locked in the safe
custody. Necessary entries will be made in the Train Signal Register
as prescribed above.

Where the system of working is by the VHF Set, the line shall be
blocked in accordance with the instructions contained in accordance
with SR. 14.13 and instructions given in Block Working Manual.

Double Line.-

Under the system of working the Station Master controlling the
movement on to the line will operate the Block Instrument to 'Train
on Line' position for the line to be blocked and make necessary
entries in the Train Signal Register.

A message will then be issued to the Section Engineer in-charge
of the work and a copy to the Chief Trains Controller on the Telephone
as under:-

From SM…………………….'A' or 'B'……….………………..(as the
case may be) to Section Engineer (P.Way)/ Assistant Section
Engineer (P.Way) / Section Engineer (Signal)
(name)………….……at……………

C/-CTNL…………………………SM……………………

No………………Line (Up or Down line in the case of double line)
between ……….to……… has been blocked from
…….to……..hours. Token No……….. 'SH' key has been extracted
and kept in my safe custody/Block Instrument has been turned on
to 'Train on Line' position.

Private Number………………..(both in words and figures).

S.M. Name…………………….

In case of Station Working on VHF Set instructions given in SR.14.13
and Block Working Manual are to be followed (the portion not
applicable in the message above may not be written).

During the period when the line has been completely blocked in
accordance with SR 15.08 (3)(A) & (B) above, if a material train is
required to be sent into the block section this may be permitted by
observing the procedure laid down in SR 6.02 (5), but in all such
cases the train entering the blocked section must be piloted from
the station upto the point of obstruction by an authorised official of
department concerned.

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CHAPTER XV PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS 377

SR 15.08(4) Blocking the Line on Field Telephone: -
(A)
(B) When for special reason is decided to permit blocking of the line on
(C) the field telephone the following procedure will be followed in lieu of
that laid down under SR 15.08 (3). This procedure is permissible on
(D) controlled sections only: -
(E)
Blocking of the line on the field telephone shall not be permitted
(F) unless specifically mentioned in the Traffic Working Order.
(G)
Only the Section Engineer (P.Way)/ Assistant Section Engineer
(P.Way) of the section concerned is permitted to obtain the block
on the field telephone. Cancellation notice for the block should be
given by the same person who has obtained the block.

On an application to the Divisional Engineer, the Section Engineer
in-charge of the work will be issued a private number sheet and a
list of codes to be used at the time of obtaining and cancelling of
the blocks. Private number sheet and codes list shall also be given
to the Chief Controller by the Divisional Engineer who shall specify
the Traffic Working Order for which they are to be used. On
completion of the work the private number sheet and the codes list
must be returned to the Divisional Engineer both by the Section
Engineer and the Controller.

Before leaving the station for the site of the work, the Section
Engineer (P.Way) in-charge will consult the Controller who will advise
him the approximate time and nominate the last train after which
the block will be allowed.

After the passage of the nominated train the Section Engineer
incharge will arrange to protect the place of obstruction in
accordance with the instructions laid down in the Traffic Working
Order and after having satisfied himself that the obstructed area is
properly protected, will call the Section Controller on the field
telephone and request him for imposition of the block giving reference
number of Traffic Working Order under which the work is being
carried out.

The Section Controller will then call the Station Master at each end
of the block section and ascertain from them if the block section is
clear of all trains and obtain from them private numbers, in support
thereof.

The Section Engineer incharge will then issue a message on the
field telephone as follows: -

To:
CTNL……………………….. C/- SMs 'A' and 'B'

No……………………………Ref……………………

DRM……………………..T.W.O. No……………………of
…………………Line (Up or Down line in the case of double line)
between Stations 'A' and 'B' will be blocked from……………...
to……………..hours. Private No……………………..(in words and
figures) Code word……………………

Name………………………………….
Designation…………………………..

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378 PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS CHAPTER XV

(H) The Section Controller will then tally the code word to confirm that
the correct person is asking the block. He will then issue a message
(I) to the SM at either end of the place of work and also to the Section
(J) Engineer incharge as under:-

(K) Station Master 'A' and 'B' C/- Section Engineer (P.Way)/ Assistant
(L) Section Engineer (P.Way) (Name)………………………... T.C.
No…………………aaa. You are authorised to block the line (Up or
Down line in the case of double line) between
Stations..……………… and…………………. from………..
to……….hours.

Code word…………………… Controller Name……………....

The Station Masters concerned will acknowledge the Controller's
message supported by private numbers. The Controller will record
these messages in the control diary recording the names of the
Section Engineer incharge and Station Masters and the private
numbers received from them. Brief remarks shall also be recorded
in the remarks column of the Control Chart.

On receipt of the above message from the Controller, the Station
Master will arrange to block the line concerned in accordance with
the provisions of SR 15.08 (3) (B). A message will then be issued
to the Section Engineer (P.Way) incharge, to the Controller on the
telephone as under: -

From : Station Master……………. 'A' or 'B'………………..(as the
case may be).

To:
Section Engineer (P.Way)/ Assistant Section Engineer (P.Way)
(Name)……………….C/- CTNL…………………..SM………………...
No……………Line(Up or Down line in the case of double line)
between ……………… and…………………has been blocked
from……………... to……………..hrs. Tablet No……../ 'SH key' has
been extracted and kept in my safe custody/Block Instrument has
been turned on to 'Train on Line' position.

Private No.……………………(both in words and figures).

S.M. Name……………………

The Section Engineer incharge will then commence the work. He
will also depute a competent person to remain in constant touch
with the Controller on the field telephone.

On completion of the work and after the track is made safe for the
passage of train, the Section Engineer incharge will contact the
Controller on the field telephone again and advise him of the
completion of work. The Controller will call the Station Masters at
both ends of Block Section and Section Engineer incharge will then
issue a message in the following form:-

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CHAPTER XV PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS 379

To:
CTNL………..C/- Station Masters………...'A'…………..and
'B'……… No……… your No……………Track safe for traffic aaa.
Train working may now be resumed (speed restrictions, if any and
the location of the engineering signals and the kilometres at which
the speed restrictions, etc., to be mentioned) aaa.

Private No.……………………
Name…………………………………

Code word……………………

Designation…………………………..

Note: - The Section Engineer incharge of work will also send a confirmation
copy of this message to the Station Master of the nearest station
by the quickest means possible.

(M) On receipt of the above message, the Controller will issue a message
to the Station Masters concerned and authorise them to cancel the
block and resume normal working and obtain their
acknowledgements supported by private numbers. The Station
Master concerned shall restore the block instruments to normal
and make necessary entries in the Train Signal Register.

(N) In the event of the control phone being interrupted after the line is
blocked, the Section Engineer incharge of the work will follow the
procedure indicated below:-

(i) On completion of the work and after the track is made safe for the
passage of trains he will proceed to the nearer of the two stations
and hand over personally to Station Master on duty the message
as prescribed in SR 15.08 (4)(L) above and obtain the Station
Master's acknowledgement.

(ii) On receipt of this message, the Station Master concerned will repeat
it to the Station Master at the station of the other end of the block
section and obtain his private number in acknowledgement of it. He
will then cancel the block, restore the block instruments to the
normal position and make necessary entries in the Train Signal
Register.

(iii) As soon as the control phone starts working, the Station Master
concerned shall advise the Controller of the cancellation of the block,
repeat the contents of the message received from the Section
Engineer incharge of the work and obtain his private number in
acknowledgement.

SR 15.08(5)(A) In an emergency, due to damage to the track, signal interlocking
equipment, etc., when an official of the Engineering or Signal
Department considers it necessary to suspend train working or
impose a speed restriction while repairs are being carried out, he
shall take the following measures: -

(i) He shall arrange to protect the site of the obstruction in accordance
with SR 15.17(1).

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380 PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS CHAPTER XV

(ii) Advise the Station Master at the nearer end of the affected block
section to suspend train working or issue Caution Order. This advice
(B) shall be given in writing if the official is literate. If the official is
(i) illiterate, the advice will be given verbally and recorded by the Station
(ii) Master on duty who shall read it out and ascertain that it has been
correctly recorded.
Note: -
On receipt of this advice, the Station Master on duty will take the
(iii) following precautionary measures: -
(iv)
Stop all trains from proceeding into the block section from his station.
Note: -
(C) Advise the Station Master at the other end of the block section and
obtain his private number in token of having done so.
(D)
If Station Master on duty finds that a train has already entered the
SR15.08 (6) block section from the other end, he should advise the Engineering
15.09 official accordingly and ask him to return post haste to the site of
obstruction and to ensure that danger point is being properly
(1) protected.

(a) Advise the Controller.

If the damage to the track requires suspension of train working, the
Station Master on duty shall block the section in accordance with
SR 15.08 (3) (A) and (B). If only a speed restriction is necessary,
the Station Master on duty will arrange for a Caution Order to be
issued to the trains proceeding into the section and also advise the
Station Master at the other end to do likewise.

A red ink entry shall be made in Train Signal Register across the
page if the line is blocked and in the remarks column if speed
restriction is imposed.

On completion of the repairs to the track, signal interlocking
equipment, etc., official of the Engineering/ Signal Department not
below the rank of an Assistant Section Engineer or Permanent
Way Supervisor shall issue the fit-certificate to the Station Master
prescribing the speed limit, if any, to be observed by the trains
while passing over the site of obstruction.

On receipt of written memo from the official of the Engineering or
Signal Department mentioned above, the Station Master on duty
shall cancel the block if it had been imposed advising the Station
Master at the other end and the Control. He shall also arrange for a
Caution Order to be issued to the trains if required by the official of
the Engineering / Signal Department.

The Station Master receiving the advice under SRs. 15.08 (3), (4)
and (5) shall issue Caution Order as required.

SHOWING OF SIGNALS.-

Whenever due to lines being under repair or due to any other
obstruction it is necessary to indicate to the Loco Pilot that he
has to 'Stop' or 'Proceed' at a restricted speed, the following
signals shall be shown and where prescribed, detonators used,
if on a double line in the direction from which trains may
approach and if on a single line in each direction: -

When the train is required to Stop and the restriction is likely
to last only for a day or less.-

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CHAPTER XV PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS 381

(b) A banner flag shall be exhibited at a distance of 600 metres
on the Broad Gauge and 400 metres on the Metre Gauge and
(c) the Narrow Gauge and three detonators shall be placed, 10
metres apart, at a distance of 1200 metres on the Broad Gauge
(d) and 800 metres on the Metre Gauge and the Narrow Gauge
from the place of obstruction. In addition, Stop hand signal
(2) shall be shown at a distance of 30 metres from the place of
(a) obstruction, at the banner flag and at a distance of 45 metres
(b) from the three detonators. The railway servant at the place
of obstruction shall give proceed hand signal to indicate to
(3) the Loco Pilot when he may resume normal speed after the
train has been hand-signalled past the place of obstruction.

When the train is required to Stop and the restriction is likely
to last for more than a day.-

A Stop indicator shall be exhibited at a distance of 30 metres
from the place of obstruction and a caution indicator at 1200
metres on the Broad Gauge and 800 metres on the Metre
Gauge and Narrow Gauge from the place of obstruction. In
addition, termination indicators shall be provided at the place
where a Loco Pilot may resume normal speed.

When the train is not required to Stop and the restriction is
likely to last only for a day or less.-

Proceed with caution hand signals shall be exhibited at a
distance of 30 metres and again at a distance of at least 800
metres from the place of obstruction. The distance of 800
metres shall be suitably increased by special instructions,
where required. The railway servant at the place of
obstruction shall give proceed hand signal to indicate to the
Loco Pilot when he may resume normal speed after the train
has been hand-signalled passed the place of obstruction.

When the train is not required to Stop and the restriction is
likely to last for more than a day.-

A speed indicator shall be exhibited at a distance of 30 metres
from the place of obstruction and again a caution indicator
at a distance of at least 800 metres from the place of
obstruction. The distance of 800 metres shall be suitably
increased by special instructions, where required. In addition,
termination indicators shall be provided at the place where
a Loco Pilot may resume normal speed.

In case the place of obstruction is within station limits.-

The provision of sub-rule (1) may be dispensed with if the
affected line has been isolated by setting and securing of
points or by securing at 'ON' the necessary manually controlled
Stop signal or signals and

Approach signals shall not be taken 'OFF' for a train unless
the train has been brought to a Stop at the first Stop signal,
except in cases where the Loco Pilot has been issued with a
Caution Order at a station in rear, informing him of the
obstruction and the details thereof.

If the place of work is situated in Automatic Signalling territory
and if the distance between the place of obstruction and the

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382 PERMANENT WAYAND WORKS CHAPTER XV

Automatic signal controlling the entry of train in the signalling
section concerned is less than 1200 metres on the Broad
Gauge and 800 metres on the Metre Gauge and provided the
Automatic signal has been secured at 'ON' -

(a) the banner flag and three detonators referred to in clause (a)
of sub-rule (1) may be provided at 90 and 180 metres
respectively; and

(b) the caution indicator referred to in clause (b) of sub-rule (1)
may be dispensed with.

(4) The shapes and sizes of the indicators referred to in clauses
(b) and (d) of sub-rule (1) may be prescribed by special
instructions.

SR 15.09 (1) While carrying out any work as defined in GR 15.06 (1) if the
operation will be completed in not more than one day, the site of
work shall be protected in the following manner: -

(A) In case of works, the operation of which is likely to be completed in
(i) not more than one day and the trains are required to come to a
Stop, the protection of the site of work should be done in the following
manner: -

A Signalman, who shall exhibit to the Loco Pilots of all trains
approaching the place of obstruction, a red flag at a distance of
1200 metres on the Broad Gauge and 800 metres on the Metre
Gauge and the Narrow Gauge on double line and on both sides of it
on the single line. He shall also fix 3 detonators 10 metres apart on
the head of the rail and stand at a distance of not less than 45
metres away and warn passers-by.

When a train approaching the place of obstruction has been brought
to a stand, the Signalman shall remove the detonators and display
the 'proceed with caution' signal.

When the train has passed him, he shall at once replace the
detonators and again exhibit the red flag. On single line sections,
detonators should be removed and a green flag should be displayed
when a train is seen approaching from the point of obstruction.

(ii) A Signalman with hand signals will place a banner flag across the
line, at a distance of not less than 600 metres on the Broad Gauge
and 400 metres on the Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge from the
place of obstruction in the direction from which a train may approach;
such protection should be arranged on both sides on a single line.

The Signalman should keep the banner flag across the track until
the speed of the approaching train is sufficiently reduced, the banner
flag may then be removed and hand signal displayed to indicate
'proceed with caution' for the train to move ahead.

(iii) A Signalman with hand signals shall be posted at a distance of not
less than 30 metres from the place of obstruction in the direction
from which a train may approach, such protection should be arranged
on both sides on a single line.

The Signalman shall continue to exhibit a danger signal to all
approaching trains, unless directed to display 'proceed with caution'
signal by the supervisory official Incharge of the work at the site.

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