The Railway Board has instructed all zones to standardize training programs for loco pilots operating in automatic signalling areas. This directive follows recent train accidents where signal failure in such territories was cited as a contributing factor, as per experts. The Railway Board in a recent notice has notified, ”Various zonal railways have been executing different training protocols for training staff in automatic signalling areas. For achieving uniformity, zonal railways are advised to follow the enclosed training guidelines.”
Instructions to be followed while imparting training
1. A one-day intensive counselling session based on an automatic signalling system should be organised for the loco pilots and their assistance every six months.
2. The counselling focus should be on working procedures, especially in automatic signalling territories.
3. Relevant forms should be issued for abnormal operations with speed restrictions.
4. Loco pilots should be shown animated videos which highlight common crew mistakes.
5. A competency test will conducted after the completion of the course through multiple-choice questions
6. On completion of the training, a competency certificate will be issued to the loco pilots. By conducting tests, loco pilots will be able to identify their weak areas and they can also be assessed for the same.
Two-day training session for loco pilots
Moreover, the Railway Board has notified that upon notification of a new automatic signalling territory, the Chief Loco inspector (CLI) should organise a two-day training session for all the loco pilots (LPs) and the assistant loco pilots (APLs). A competency certificate needs to be issued on successful completion of the training in the automatic section.
The notice also mentioned that intensive counselling for all the LPs/ALPs should also be conducted, held every two months and after that, it needs to be given every six months. This will come into effect only after the commissioning of the new automatic territory.
(With PTI inputs)