CHAPTER VI

ACCIDENTS AND UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES

6.01 ACCIDENT OR OBSTRUCTION

(1) When a report of any accident or obstruction is received by the

Station Master, he shall see that all necessary precautions are
taken by the most expeditious means possible, for the protection
of traffic.

(2) If an accident happens to a train, the Station Master shall

arrange for all necessary assistance to be sent to the train.

(3) The Station Master shall, as soon as practicable, report each

accident in accordance with special instruction.

6.02 WORKING IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FAILURE OF

COMMUNICATIONS.—In case of accidents to the line or to
any train, or of failure or interruption of communications, or in
an emergency, trains shall be worked between stations in
accordance with special instructions.

6.03 PROTECTION OF TRAIN STOPPED BETWEEN STATIONS.—

(1) When a train is stopped between stations on account of accident,

failure, obstruction or other exceptional cause, and the Loco
Pilot finds that his train cannot proceed, he shall apprise the
Guard of the fact by sounding the prescribed code of whistle or
through other means and exchange hand danger signals with
him. The Guard and the Loco Pilot shall then immediately take
the following action in the rear and the front.

(i) On a single line section or on a section of double line or multiple

lines when temporarily worked as a single line section.

(a) The Guard shall either himself go back or send a competent

person back to protect the train; if the Guard has deputed a
competent person to protect the train, he shall go to the Loco
Pilot for consultation

(b) The person going back to protect the train shall continuously
show his hand danger signal to stop any approaching train, and
in addition to his hand signal, shall take detonators and place
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them upon the line on which the stoppage has occurred, as
follows: -

One detonator, 400 meters from his train, to be placed on the

way out; and three detonators, 10 meters apart, not less than
800 meters from his train or at such distance as has been fixed
by special instructions:

Provided that on the broad gauge the first detonator shall be

placed at 600 meters and the three detonators at 1200 meters
about 10 meters apart, from the place where the train has
stopped.

(c) If a person other than the Guard has gone back to protect the
train, he shall, after taking action as per sub-clause (b), continue
to show his hand danger signal to stop any approaching train,
until he is recalled.

(d) When the Guard has himself gone back to protect the train, he
shall, after taking action as in sub-clause (b), depute a
competent person, if available, to show a hand danger signal to
stop any approaching train until he is recalled, and shall himself
return to his train to ascertain the cause.

(e) Unless the Guard has succeeded in getting another competent

person to show a hand danger signal, as in sub-clause (d), he
shall after consultation with the Loco Pilot, once again return to
the place at which he placed three detonators, showing his hand
danger signal to any approaching train and continue to do so
until he is recalled.

(f) When the Guard or the person deputed by him is recalled, he

shall leave down the three detonators and on his way back pick
up the intermediate detonator.

(g) On a section of double or multiple lines, if assistance has been

asked for, or on a single line section or during temporary single
line working on a section of double or multiple lines, the Loco
Pilot shall at once show a danger signal to the front, and proceed
to protect the train in front in the manner prescribed in clauses
(b) and (f) either by going himself or by sending his Fireman or
some other competent person; and
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(h) Should any train be seen approaching, the person going to
protect the train shall immediately place the detonators on the
line, as far away from the train as possible.

(ii) On a double line section where trains on the two lines run in the
opposite direction.

If it is obvious that the adjacent line on which the trains

normally run in the opposite direction is obstructed, the Loco
Pilot shall at once either himself proceed or send his Assistant
Loco Pilot or Fireman or some other competent person to
protect the adjacent line in front in the manner prescribed in
clause (i) above. The Guard shall send a competent person, if
available, to protect the train in rear, and shall himself proceed
ahead immediately to assist and ensure protection of the
adjacent line in front in the manner prescribed in clause (i)
above.

In case it is not known whether the adjacent line is obstructed or

not, the Loco Pilot shall take action to protect the adjacent line
as mentioned above and the Guard shall proceed towards the
engine watching the train carefully. If the Guard finds that the
adjacent line is obstructed, he shall proceed ahead to assist and
ensure protection of the adjacent line as mentioned above.

In case he finds that adjacent line is not obstructed, he shall,

after consultation with Loco Pilot, go back to protect the train in
the rear in the manner prescribed in clause (i) above, if he has
not already sent another competent person for the purpose.

(iii) On a multiple line section with unidirectional traffic on the

nominated line. When it is obvious that an adjacent line on
which trains normally run in the opposite direction is obstructed
or when it is not know whether any line is obstructed or not, the
Loco Pilot shall at once take action to protect the adjacent
line/lines in manner prescribed in clause (ii) above. If it is
obvious that an adjacent line on which the trains normally run
in the direction of the affected train is obstructed or when it is
not known whether any such line obstructed or not, the Guard
shall immediately protect such adjacent line/lines in manner
prescribed in clause (i) above.

If it is obvious that an adjacent line/lines on which trains

normally run in the opposite direction is obstructed and no line
on which trains run in the direction of the affected train is
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obstructed, he shall proceed ahead to assist and ensure
protection of the adjacent line /lines on which trains run in the
opposite direction as per clause (ii) above. If in addition to the
line on which trains run in the direction of the affected train any
other line on which trains normally run in the opposite direction
is also obstructed, the primary duty of the Guard shall be to
protect the line on which trains normally run in the direction of
affected train, in the rear, in the manner prescribed in clause (i)
above. Only after taking this action shall he proceed ahead to
assist and ensure protection of the obstructed adjacent line/lines
in front on which trains normally run in the opposite direction.

(iv) On section where trains on the adjacent line/lines run in both

the direction.

Unless it is obvious that no adjacent line is obstructed, the Loco

Pilot shall protect the adjacent line/lines in front and the Guard
shall protect the adjacent line/lines in the rear in the manner
prescribed in clause (i) above. only after taking this action shall
the Guard proceed ahead to assist and ensure protection of the
adjacent line/lines, in front.

(v) Protection of line on which the affected train is standing on

section of double/ multiple lines.

Only after protecting the adjacent line/lines in manner

prescribed in clause (ii),(iii) and (iv) above, shall the action be
taken to protect the line on which the affected train is standing
both in front and in the rear.

(vi) Action to locate and remove the cause of stoppage.

Action to locate and rectify any defect either in the engine or a

vehicle or to remove any other obstruction which might have
caused the stoppage shall be taken, if practicable, only after
having assured that the train has been protected properly in
accordance with the procedure laid down above.

(vii) Removal of protection from adjacent lines.

If subsequently, the adjacent line/lines are found to be free of

obstruction, the protection may be removed except where it is
desired to stop an approaching train to obtain assistance.
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(2) (i) In the case of a train without a Guard, the duties of the Guard,
as laid down in this rule, shall devolve on the Loco Pilot or on a
railway servant deputed by him.

(ii) In the event of any disability of the Loco Pilot, the duties
devolving on the Loco Pilot, as laid down in these rules shall
devolve on the Guard or on a railway servant deputed by him.

6.04 TRAINS UNUSUALLY DELAYED.—

(1) If a train carrying passenger does not arrive within 10 minutes

or if a goods train does not arrive within 20 minutes after
allowing for its normal running time from the station in rear,
the Station Master at the station in advance shall immediately
advise the station in rear and the Control of this fact.
Thereafter on double or multiple lines, the Station Masters at
either end of the block section shall immediately stop all trains
proceeding into the block section on adjacent line or lines in
either direction and warn the Loco Pilots and Guards of such
trains by issue of suitable caution orders and shall also ascertain
the whereabouts and the condition of the delayed train.

(2) The action mentioned above shall be taken earlier, should the
circumstances so require.

6.05 SENDING ADVICE OF ACCIDENT OR BREAK-DOWN.—If

the engine is for any reason unable to proceed, the Guard or in
his absence the Loco Pilot, shall covey by the most expeditious
means, advice to the nearest station, stating the location, nature
and cause of the accident, and if assistance has been asked for
the train shall not be moved until such assistance arrives,
provided that if the train is subsequently able to move, it may do
so at walking pace, but not unless a competent railway servant
has been sent with hand signals and detonators to protect the
train, such railway servant keeping at least 400 meter in
advance of the train, the other end of the train being protected
in a similar manner.

6.06 TRAIN IN BLOCK SECTION WITHOUT AUTHORITY TO

PROCEED.—

(1) When a Loco Pilot becomes aware in a block section that he

does not have an authority to proceed or a proper authority to
proceed, he shall immediately stop the train.
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(2) The train shall be treated as an obstruction in block section and
protected as such, in accordance with Rule 6.03.

(3) The Guard, or in his absence the Loco Pilot, shall convey the
report of the occurrence to the nearest block station by the most
expeditious means and the train shall thereafter move only in
accordance with the instruction which may be issued by the
Station Master to whom the occurrence has been reported:

Provided that when a proper tangible authority to proceed is

lost on the run, the Loco Pilot may proceed to the next station
and report the occurrence to the Station Master.

6.07 REPORT OF CONDITIONS LIKELY TO AFFECT

RUNNING OF TRAINS TO CONTROLLER OR
CENTRALISED TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATOR.—

(1) Loco Pilots, Guards and Station Master shall advise the
Controller or the Centralised Traffic Control Operator of any
known conditions or unusual circumstances likely to affect the
safe and proper working of trains.

(2) The Controller or the Centralised Traffic Control Operator, on

becoming aware of such defect or failure, shall inform the same
to the railway servant responsible for the maintenance of the
equipment and other railway servants concerned.

6.08 TRAIN PARTING.—

(1) If any portion of a train should, while in motion, become

detached.—

(a) the Loco Pilot shall use his judgement to keep the front portion
in motion if possible, until the rear portion has been brought to
a stand so as to avoid the chance of a collision between the two
portions; and sound the prescribed code of whistle to inform the
Guard of the parting,

(b) the Guard /Guards or in the rear portion shall.—

(i) do all they can to prevent a collision with the front portion, and
(ii) promptly apply their hand brake, where provided, and
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(c) the Loco Pilot of a banking engine, if any, shall bring the rear
portion to a stand and sound the prescribed code of whistle to
attract the attention of the Loco Pilot in the front portion.

(2) As soon as the rear portion of train has been brought to a stand,
the Guard of the train shall protect that portion in accordance
with Rule 6.03 both in front and the rear, and take steps to
secure the vehicles in stationary position by pinning down hand
brakes and wherever necessary any prescribed by special
instruction by use of sprags and chains also.

(3) The Guard shall indicate the parting of the train, by waving in
repeated motions a green flag by day, or white light by night, up
and down vertically as high and as low as possible.

(4) When both portions of a parted train are brought to a stand

within sight of each other and it is possible and safe to couple
them, the train shall be coupled with due caution under hand
signals from Guard provided necessary precautions have been
taken to secure the rear portion in the manner described in sub-
rule (2).

(5) If the Loco Pilot of the parted train has already reached the
block station in advance before he could bring the front portion
to a stop, he shall instantly warn the Station Master of the
parting as also the railway servant in charge of a cabin, if passed
on the way, and shall not give up the tangible authority to
proceed, if any, till the block section is cleared of all the vehicles
of his train.

(6) The duties of Guard specified in this rule shall devolve on the
Loco Pilot in the absence of the Guard.

6.09 PORTION OF TRAIN LEFT IN A BLOCK SECTION.—

(1) When a train stopped in a block section has to be divided in

consequence of an accident or the inability of the engine to take
the whole train forward, the Guard of the train shall
immediately take steps to protect the rear portion of the train in
accordance with Rule 6.03.

(2) If the engine is capable of proceeding either with or without

vehicles, the Guard shall, after taking action as provided for in
sub-rule (1) and before uncoupling, put down the brakes and
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shall, if necessary, otherwise carefully secure the rear portion of
the train to ensure its remaining stationary.

(3) When the Guard has taken action as provided for in sub-rule
(2), he shall give a written permission to the Loco Pilot to
uncouple and proceed to the next station and may, if he thinks
fit, give him written instructions to return on the same line.

(4) On section of single line where token working is in force, the

Loco Pilot shall, before leaving any portion of his train in a
block section, hand over the token to the Guard from whom he
shall obtain a written receipt. The Guard shall retain the token
until the block section has been cleared of all vehicles of his
train.

(5) At night or in thick, foggy or tempestuous weather impairing

visibility, as soon as the engine, whether with or without vehicles
is drawn forward, the Guard shall: -

(a) protect his train in the front also in accordance with Rule 6.03
and;

(b) also see that a red light is shown on the front vehicles of the rear
portion of the train.

(6) When the front portion of the train is taken forward, no tail
lamp or tail board shall be placed on the rear vehicle of that
portion of the train but the Guard shall give its number in full in
the permission referred to in sub-rule (3).

(7) On entering a station with the knowledge that the block section
in rear is obstructed, the first duty of the Loco Pilot is instantly
to warn the Station Master of the fact. If a cabin is passed on
way to the station, the railway servant in charge of the cabin
shall be informed of the fact.

(8) When under written instructions referred to in sub-rule (3), the

engine is to be brought back, the Guard shall, until the arrival of
the engine, continue to remain in rear of the portion of the train
left in the block section and shall not permit a following train, if
any, to move any of the vehicles under his charge.

(9) (a) The Loco Pilot shall not bring his engine, with or without
vehicles, back or the same line unless he has received written
instructions under sub-rule (3) from the Guard to do so.
CHAPTER VI ACCIDENTS AND UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES 233

(b) In addition, on a multiple line section, the Loco Pilot shall also
have a written authority from the Station Master, who shall
ensure that no train is diverted on to or crossing the same line
on that portion of the track over which the said Loco Pilot
would be returning.

(c) The Station Master, before giving such written authority, shall
obtain necessary assurances as prescribed by special
instructions from Station Master having diversion facilities and
also inform the Controller of the circumstances

(10) On double or multiple line sections, Loco Pilot may, under

instructions from the Station Master, take the train back on the
proper line, according to the system of working, until he can
cross on to the line on which he has left the rest of his train and
may then proceed by that line and after attaching engine shall
work the train to the station to which he is directed.

(11) When moving under written instructions against the direction of

traffic on a double line, or against the established direction of
traffic on a single line, the Loco Pilot shall proceed cautiously
and make use of the prescribed code of whistle.

6.10 FIRE.—

(1) A railway servant noticing a fire, likely to result in loss of life or

cause damage to property, shall take all possible steps to save
life and property, to prevent it from spreading and to extinguish
it.

(2) In case the fire is on or adjacent to any electrical equipment, the

railway servant shall, if he is competent in handling electrical
equipment and specially trained for the purpose, have the
effected part immediately isolated from its source of supply of
electrical energy.
(3) The occurrence of a fire shall, in every case, be reported to the
nearest Station Master by the most expeditious means and the
Station Master shall take such action as may be prescribed by
special instructions.

6.11 VEHICLES ESCAPING FROM STATION.—

If any vehicle escapes from a station, the Station Master shall
take immediate steps to warn the other stations or person
concerned, as far as practicable, to prevent an accident.
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