Rail Transportation Rake Links PDF

___________________________________________________________________________ 9. RAKE LINKS 9.0 INTRODUCTION The basic requirements for rail transportation system are: Railway track, Signalling and telecommunications...

___________________________________________________________________________ 9. RAKE LINKS 9.0 INTRODUCTION The basic requirements for rail transportation system are: Railway track, Signalling and telecommunications, Rolling stock which contains locomotives, coaches and wagons, Maintenance and operating personnel of these assets. Railway track and signals are fixed assets and these are must for running of trains irrespective of the number of trains run, whereas the rolling stock and crew requirement are based on quantum of traffic to be handled. As such, careful planning is required in acquisition and utilisation of the coaches, especially the A.C. coaches, since they are costly assets. Minimum turn-round time will increase the number of trips which, in turn, yield greater dividends with minimum number of coaches. 9.1 OBJECT The object of rake links is to ensure optimum utilisation of coaches with minimum lie-over period at destination as well as availability of coach for trip and schedule inspection on due date so that the same is maintained in good fettle for reliable service. Rake links indicate the sequence in which coaches have to operate. Rake links give all the information about the movement of coaches at a glance and can be used as a ready reckoner by operating staff. In order to achieve maximum utilisation of the rakes, rake-links are prepared in such a manner that the coaches are kept on run for the maximum number of hours each day with the minimum detention at the terminal stations. Ideal rake-link is one in which lie-over of coaches at destination is minimum, utilisation (km earning per coach per day) is maximum. 9.2 POINTS TO BE KEPT IN MIND WHILE PREPARING RAKE-LINKS. Coaches shall be made available for carrying out trip inspection at terminal stations. This shall be indicated in the rake-link itself. Coaches are to be made available to the owning depots for carrying out maintenance schedules such as monthly, three monthly. POH etc. ________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ At terminal stations, a minimum time of at least 3 hours shall be provided for connecting other link trains, to avoid link failure as far as possible. Should the rake become non-available for its pairing train for any reason, then it is considered as 'Link failure'. Rake stabling siding shall be available at the terminal stations close to the station platforms to avoid unnecessary movement in shunting. Fig. 1 ________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________