Work on the construction of a new pit line (washing line), with a capacity to hold 24 coaches, is in full swing at the coaching yard in Mangaluru Central Railway Station.
The new pit line is constructed in lieu of the existing 18 coach pit line to facilitate the construction of new platforms No 4 and 5 and also enable the station to handle more trains.
M K Gopinath, Public Relations Officer, Southern Railway, Palakkad Division, said that pit lines are the main infrastructure required for conducting primary maintenance of coaches of both express and passenger trains.
“The pit line will have the facilities for day/night inspection, coach cleaning, coach charging, watering, among others. The catwalks on both sides of the pit line help in easy access into the coaches which makes maintenance and cleaning work easy. After every scheduled trip, under gear examination, checking of the braking system, electrical maintenance, cleaning, washing both exterior and interior, checking the amenity fittings, watering of coaches are done at the pit lines,” he said.
After this, coaches are given “fit for 96 hours (4 days) run” from the carriage depot. Draining out the water tanks and maintenance of bio-toilets are also carried out at the pit line at regular intervals.
In addition to the trip attentions, monthly schedules and tri-monthly schedules are also carried out at the pit lines. Other than the trip attentions and scheduled maintenance, after 9 months of service, coaches will be sent for intermediate overhauling (IOH).
Full length pit line
After 18 months, Periodic Over Hauling (POH) of the coaches will be carried out. The new pit line at Mangaluru Central is being constructed on the eastern side of the coaching yard. The 596 metre length pit will have a capacity to handle a train rake of 24 LHB coaches / 26 ICF make coaches.
The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 6.76 crore.
Demolition of the existing 18 coach pit line and skewing of the track is part of the project, he said. A rake requires an average of 8 hours for maintenance at the pit line. The new 24 coach pit line being constructed in lieu of the existing 18 coach pit line will be suitable for maintenance of all coaching rakes.