CHAPTER X 

PATROLLING OF THE RAILWAY LINE

1001.Types of Patrolling : (1) The following are the types of patrolling in vogue :

( a) Keyman's daily patrol.

(b) Gang patrol during abnormal rainfall or storm.

(c) Night patrolling during monsoon.

(d) Security patrolling during civil disturbances and for movement of VIP specials.

(e) Hot weather patrolling for long welded rails/ continuous welded rails.

(f) Watchmen at vulnerable locations.

(2) Keyman's Daily Patrol - Every portion of the permanent way shall be inspected daily on foot by the keyman of the beat in which the portion of the track falls. Provided that the interval between such inspections may, under special instructions, issued by Chief Engineer be increased to once in two days in the case of specified section of lines with light and infrequent traffic.

(3) Gang Patrol during Abnormal Rainfall or Storm - In the event of abnormal rainfall or storm during day or night, the Mate should, on his own initiative organise patrolling over the length affected, independently of other patrolling, if any being done. This patrol should, in case of heavy rainfall, confine its inspection to known points of danger, such as cutting or culverts likely to scour, banks affected by tanks likely to breach and bridge approaches. In case of high winds, the patrolman should inspect the length of track likely to be fouled by falling of tree etc.

Arrangements exist with the Meteorological Department of the Government of India for issuing telegrams of warning, wherever storms, gales, or heavy rainfall are expected. On receipt of such information from the Control, the Permanent way Inspector will arrange to advise monsoon patrolmen, watchmen and gangmates to be extra vigilant and be prepared to introduce patrolling, as necessary (for detailed instructions Para 728 of IRPWM may be referred to).

(4) Night Patrolling during Monsoon - During the monsoon, certain section of the railway line, as may be specified, shall be patrolled to detect damage by flood, such as breaches, settlements, slips and scours and immediate action taken to protect trains, when so warranted.

(5) Security Patrolling during Civil Disturbance and on Special occasions -

(a) On apprehension of a Civil disturbance, the Divisional authorities should contact the local Civil authority and arrange, as circumstances may warrant for security patrolling of the railway line. This may be arranged on the pattern of the monsoon patrolling with modifications, as deemed necessary, in consultation with Civil authorities.

(b) Security patrolling on special occasions should be carried out according to the special instructions issued by the administration.

(c )The primary duty of the patrolman employed on Security patrolling shall be to protect trains against any condition of danger, such as tampering with track or obstruction placed on line.

(6) Hot weather Patrolling for LWR/CWR -Hot weather patrol is carried out when the rail temperature reaches t_d + 20 degree or above.

The patrolling should be done in accordance with the provisions of Manual of Long Welded Rails.

(7) Watchmen at vulnerable locations. In addition to patrolmen, stationary watchmen are posted at known or likely locations of danger or trouble.

1002. Protection of line in case of Emergency - Should any patrolman/stationary Watchman/Gangman /Keyman deputed for the purpose of patrolling notice any condition likely to affect the safety of trains, he shall at once protect the line and report the damage to the nearest Station Master as laid down in Para 1011.

Monsoon Patrolling

1003. Comencement and Termination -The sections, which are normally to be patrolled during monsoon will be identified and notified by the Divisional Engineer. For every such section, the Divisional Engineer shall prescribe the period of year, when normal monsoon patrolling is to be done; patrolling should be started on these notified sections on the dates specified. If the local conditions warrant, the Permanent Way Inspector of the section concerned may introduce or continue night patrolling outside the stipulated dates, duly advising all concerned. 

1004. Preparation of Patrol Charts - (1) The Divisional Engineer will prepare patrol charts for each of the sections where monsoon patrolling is required to be done, taking into consideration the train timings of the time table in force during this period. The principles governing the preparation of patrol charts shall be -

(a) Ordinarily patrolling will be carried out by a single patrolman, but in regions where danger from wild animals, dacoits and other risks as in ghat sections exist, patrolling in pairs may be introduced with the approval of the Chief Engineer.

(b) All trains carrying passengers between sunset and sunrise get the maximum protection possible.

(c ) As far as possible, each block section will be treated as a unit and the length will be divided into equal beats. The length of each patrol beat should not normally exceed 5 km. Where the block section is more than 10 km. an intermediate flag station, if any, or any other suitable point may be fixed as intermediate station, to keep the length of beat at about 5 km.

(d) The walking speed of a patrolman may be taken as 3 km. per hour.

(e) The maximum distance covered by a patrolman should not normally exceed 20 km. in a day.

(f) A period of at least half an hour rest is desirable between consecutive beats.

(g) If the frequency of train services is high, and one set of patrolmen is not able to cover all the trains in the section, a second set of patrolmen may be introduced to reduce the interval.

(h) For giving better protection to all passenger trains, between sun-set and sun-rise it would be advantageous to plot the scheduled paths of all passenger trains and then plot the patrol movement in such a way, so as to minimise the time interval between patrolling of the beat and passage of train.

(1) Patrol charts should show all vulnerable locations where stationary watchmen are posted.

(2) Sample patrol charts are appended for guidance, as Annexure 10/1, 10/2, 10/3.

1005. Distribution of Patrol Charts - Before commencement of the monsoon, requisite number of copies of patrol charts should be supplied by the Divisional Engineer to the Assistant Engineers, Permanent Way Inspectors, the Divisional Operating Superintendent (for distribution to the Control staff), Station Masters and Foremen of running sheds. The Foremen will acquaint Drivers of passenger trains, when they may expect to pass patrolmen, if running to time. By inviting drivers to lookout for patrolling, an immediate and practical means of supervising the patrolmen is introduced. The task of dispatching patrolmen at the right time and signing their patrol book when they arrive at or depart from a station devolves upon the Station Master/Block Hut-in-charge.

1006. Patrol books and Systematic Patrolling - A patrol book containing sufficient number of pages should be supplied to each patrol with a tin case.

The books shall be serially numbered to correspond with the number of patrol on each section. The first page of the book shall contain the name of patrolman, kilometrage of patrol section and its number. The remaining pages will contain columns for date, station, time of arrival and departure and signature of Station Master.

Patrolmen shall be on duty at the time specified for each in the patrol chart.

The patrolman whose beat commences/ terminates at a station shall present the patrol-book in his possession to the Station Master/Block hut-in-charge who will enter therein the time of arrival and departure and sign the book. The Station Master/ Block hut-in-charge will also record the time of arrival and departure in his Diary/Train Register Book. The patrolman shall then patrol his length at the end of which, he will exchange his patrol book with that of the next patrolman and retrace his beat. The intermediate patrols do likewise. In this way each patrol-book will be conveyed from one station to the other and back again. Owing to close proximity of stations, patrol books may be passed through one or more intermediate stations, before it is returned to the original station.

If a patrolman on arrival at the end of his beat does not find the next patrolman to take over the book, he must proceed ahead, until he meets him. The patrolman should report the absence of any man from his beat to the Mate the next day.

Station Maters will see that the men come on duty sober and fully equipped, that their lamps are trimmed and filled with oil and that they leave for their patrol duty in time. If a patrolman who is due to arrive at a station does not turn in time or does not turn up at all, the Station Master/Block hut-in-charge will advise Station Master/Block hut-in-charge at the other end of the block section of the absence of the patrolman and both Station Masters/Block hut-in-charges will issue caution orders to all trains entering the section until the patrolman from the other end of the "patrol-section" arrives at the station and reports that all is well.

1007. Equipment of Patrolmen - (1) Each patrolman shall be provided with the following equipment and such other, as may be prescribed by special instructions:

(a) One staff.

(b) Number plate 15 cm. Square ( to be numbered consecutively from the beginning of each Permanent Way Inspector's length in white letters on black background).

( c ) 12 fog signals in a tin case.

(d) Two tricolour hand signal lamps.

(e) Protective clothing according to local dress regulations.

(f) One match box.

(g) Two red flags and one green flag (day patrol only).

(h) Patrol book in a tin case. 

(i) One three cell Electric torch, 

(j) Whistle thunderer.

(k) One haversack.

(1) Three flare signals (fusees) on double/ multiple lines, ghats, suburban and automatic block territories and one fusee on single line sections.

(2) Where patrolling is undertaken in pairs or stationary patrol consists of two men, the equipment need not be duplicated but the additional patrolman will be provided with an extra hand signal lamp, whistle thundered and protective clothing.

1008. Selection of Patrolman - Intelligent, experienced and trustworthy men should be selected from the Permanent Gangs by Permanent Way Inspectors to work as Patrolmen and Watchmen, preferably those who can read bridge and telegraph post numbers. Temporary substitutes should be appointed in their places to work for the gangs. Twice the number required should be selected to serve as relief case of illness, to provide for rest giver patrolman etc. The men selected from each gang should be sent to the Divisional Medical Officer for vision test and shall not be employed as patrolmen unless they have passed the requisite medical test.

1009. Certificate to be submitted by Permanent Way Inspector - The Permanent Way Inspector shall submit a certificate to the Divisional Engineer through Assistant Engineer a month in advance before the commencement of the monsoon that he has made all arrangements for monsoon patrolling and for watching vulnerable locations/ bridges and that the patrolmen and the watchmen have been made conversant with their duties, rules for the protections of the line and vulnerable locations in their beats. He will also submit to the Assistant Engineer a list of names of patrolmen and watchmen with their duties/locations assigned during the patrolling season.

1010. Duties of Patrolmen - (1) The duties of a patrolman shall be as follows :

(a) Walk to and fro over the beat in accordance with the chart pertaining to his "patrol-section" looking out for subsidence, slips, signs of erosion, trees blown across the track during storms or any other causes likely to endanger the safety of line. Bridges and their approaches should be especially watched.

(b) Apprehend damage to line when

(i) the flood exceeds danger level at any of the bridges.

(ii) when there is damage to the protection work or on approaches even before danger level is reached.

(iii) the water on one side of the embankment is at a much higher level than on the other side.

(iv) when any obstruction such as a fallen tree is blocking the water-way of a bridge.

(v) the track shows signs of a settlement.

(c) Take immediate steps in accordance with Para 1011 to stop trains when any portion of the line is likely to be rendered unsafe due to abnormal rain or flood or any other cause.

(d) When no danger is apprehended, stand on the cess on the left hand side facing the train and exhibit his number plate, turning the light of his lamp on to it, so that the number can be seen from the passing train. He should also blow the whistle, when the engine and the brake-van of the train pass him.

(e) Obtain the signature of the Station Master/ Block Hut-in-charge on duty at the Station/ Block Hut concerned for his arrival and departure and exchange patrol books with adjacent patrolmen.

(f) Exchange the reports as to the conditions on their beats with adjacent patrol men and stationary watchmen on the way.

(g) Heed instructions from drivers who may report a condition of danger at a kilometrage and proceed to the place indicated and take necessary measures.

(2) It is of supreme importance that patrolmen and watchmen thoroughly understand what they have to do in the event of emergency. Every effort should be made to instruct and drill the men in their duties. In the event of an emergency the patrolmen should devote their whole time and energy to the protection of the line and summoning of assistance. Having protected the line and summoned assistance, they should resume their patrolling.

1011. Action When Damage is Observed - In the event of any portion of the line being breached or otherwise rendered unsafe for traffic the following procedure shall be observed

(A) In the case where two patrolmen are employed :

(1) Protecting the line - a) The second lamp should be lit and danger signals shown at once in both the directions.

(b) The two patrolmen shall then proceed in opposite directions showing the danger signals (red flag by day and red light by night) and when at 600M. on Broad Gauge and 400 M. on Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge from the point of danger, each should place one detonator on to the rail; they shall then proceed to a distance of 1200 M. on Broad Gauge and 800 M. on  Metre Gauge/Narrow Gauge from the point of danger where they should place three detonators on the rail about 10 metres apart.

On the double line the detonators must be placed on the line, in the direction on which the trains will approach. On Metre Gauge sections where trains run at maximum permissible speed of more than 75 km. p.h. the distances at which the detonators are to be placed shall be specified by the administration.

(c) Should the nature of obstruction be such as to render it impossible for either of patrolmen to get across the gap, as for instance a wash away with strong flood, one of the men should show the danger signal and endeavour to stop trains approaching the gap from the other side while the other man should proceed towards the station on his side of the gap, fix the detonators and act as in (b).

(2) Reporting the damage to Station Master and Gangmate-(a) After protecting the track one of the two patrolmen who is nearest to the station and in case mentioned in (c) the patrolmen who has protected the track will proceed in all haste, showing the danger signal, to the station and inform the station master of the danger. On his way back, if he meets with any gang quarter, he should inform the Mate of the occurrence and the gang must immediately proceed to the affected kilometrege and take necessary action to attend to the repairs.

b) After protecting the track the other patrolman will proceed to the site of obstruction, and remain there showing the danger signal, until the first patrolmen joins him. In case the other patrolman has not been able to locate the gang hut on his way back from the station, one of them should proceed to the gang hut and inform the gangmate.

B. In case where one patrol man is employed-

(1) Protection of line -

(a) When damage is detected on single line -

(i) Place a red lamp during the night and a red flag during the day in a prominent position to warn a train which may approach from one direction. Then run in the opposite direction from which direction train is likely to come, with a danger signal (red flag by day and red light by night) and place one detonator at 600 M. on Broad Gauge and 400 M. on Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge and three detonators at 10 metres apart at 1200 M. on Broad Gauge and 800 M. on Metre Gauge/ Narrow Gauge from the site of obstruction/damage.

Provided that on those Metre Gauge Sections where trains run at maximum speed of more than 75km.p.h., the distances at which the detonators are to be placed shall be specified by the administration.

(ii) Return to the site of obstruction/ damage and protect the other side with detonators similarly.

(iii) In the event of it being impossible to get the other side of the obstruction/damage (as in a wash away) place the red lamp so that it can be seen from as great distance as possible by a train approaching from that direction and protect the other side with the detonators etc. as detailed in sub-Para (a) (i).

(b) When damage is detected on double line -

(i) Place the red flag/ lamp in prominent position so as to warn an approaching train on one track. Then run along the other track on which train is expected first and place the detonators as in sub-Para (a) (i)

(ii) Run back and protect with detonators the line on which the lamp/flag was prominently placed earlier.

(2) Reporting the damage to the Station Master- The patrolman will return to the site of obstruction after protecting the line in both the directions and shall remain at the place of obstruction and send word about the danger through the first railway employee or other persons he is able to contact at the spot itself.

1012. Responsibility of Engineering Officials in the Matter of Patrolling -

(1) Inspection of Patrol Books -The Permanent Way Inspector must examine the patrol books, initial the entries each time he trollies and take up irregularities. The Assistant Engineer should examine the patrol books during his inspection.

(2) Supply of Equipment to Patrolmen and Watchmen - The Permanent Way Inspectors will be responsible for seeing that each (patrolman) is provided with the equipment specified, and for periodical distribution of consumable stores like kerosene oil, match box etc. The Mate will be responsible for seeing that the patrolman and stationary watchman posses the correct equipment specified.

(3) The Permanent way Inspector will be responsible for instructing the patrolmen in their duties, in the rules for the protection of the lines and in acquainting them with all vulnerable points on their beats. In addition to oral instructions, the Permanent Way Inspector shall by practical demonstrations, drill the patrolmen in their detailed duties and responsibilities.

(4) Inspection Of Equipment- The permanent way Inspector should check the equipment of all patrolmen and watchmen once a month, record the results in patrol book and take steps to recoup deficiencies.

(5) Check over Patrolling at Nights - (a) By Permanent Way Inspectors- The following are the schedule of inspection of night patrolling for the inspector Grade III/ II and the Permanent Way Inspectors- in - charge; by train/trolly :

(b) The Assistant Engineer shall cover his entire sub-division once in a month by train/push trolly/ Motor trolley in the night and check the patrolmen.

1013. Action by Assistant Engineer and Permanent Way Inspectors On Receipt of Information Regarding Damage to the line - On the receipt of information of any damage to the line, the Assistant Engineer and the Permanent Way Inspector -in-charge and Permanent Way Inspector (Grade III/II) concerned should proceed to site by the quickest possible means and take necessary action for restoration.

1000. Vulnerable locations (points)- (1) Definition Vulnerable locations (points) are those, where conditions unsafe for the passage of trains are apprehended and there is need for stopping of trains in time in case such conditions develop e.g.-

(a) Bridges, having inadequate water-way, liable to scour in foundations, oblique/ parallel flow of water to the approaches, rise of flood above danger level frequently.

(b) Bad banks liable to slips and subsidence.

(c) Bridges located across river courses fed by Railway affecting tanks.

(d) Cuttings and Hill slopes frequently affected by the landslides and boulder-falls.

(e) Water over flowing over the track.

(f) And any other condition likely to affect the safety of the track.

(2) List of Vulnerable locations - A list of vulnerable locations should be maintained by each Assistant Engineer/Divisional Engineer in a register form and should be reviewed and brought up-to-date.

(3) Guarding of vulnerable locations - (a) Stationary watchman should be posted round the clock at every nominated location during the monsoon period.

(b) He should keep a watch on vulnerable location and in case he apprehends danger he should take action to protect the line in accordance with Para 1011.

( c ) The equipment for the watchman should be on the same scale as patrolman except that a watch man will not be provided with -

(i) Number plate.

(ii) Haversack.

(iii) Patrol book in tin case.

A notebook should however be provided to the watch man.

ANNEXURE - 10/1 PARA 1004

SPECIMEN PATROLLING CHART

MAIN LINE & BRANCH LINE DENSITY TRAFFIC

2 BEATS LENGTH 8.45 Kms. JODHPUR - MARWAR SECTION

ANNEXURE - 10/2 PARA 1004

SPECIMEN PATROLLING CHART

MAIN LINE HEAVY DENSITY TRAFFIC 

2 BEATS LENGTH 8.45 Kms.

ROSA - BAREILLY SECTION

(DOUBLE LINE)

ANNEXURE - 10/3 PARA 1004

SPECIMEN PATROLLING CHART

MAIN LINE HEAVY DENSITY TRAFFIC

 3 BEATS LENGTH 10.47 Kms.

SAHARANPUR - LUDHIANA SECTION

(DOUBLE LINE)