Our humble insight into Indian Railways cutting-edge technology for uninterrupted journeys during harsh winter conditions
TEXT: INDIAN RAILWAYS MAGAZINE
Winter’s icy grip often brings with it a dense blanket of fog, wreaking havoc on travel schedules and causing frustration for passengers. Yet, Indian Railways is taking decisive action to ensure smooth operations even in the face of reduced visibility. Their weapon of choice? A fleet of 19,742 high-tech “Fog Pass Devices” deployed across the network.
These innovative devices, akin to GPS navigators for trains, empower loco pilots with crucial information even when shrouded in fog. Picture this: as the locomotive hurtles forward, the Fog Pass Device displays the locations of essential landmarks like signals, level crossings, and speed restrictions on a dedicated screen. Not only that, it provides clear voice guidance, alerting the pilot about upcoming obstacles 500 metres ahead. This real-time assistance ensures trains stay on track, literally and figuratively, minimizing delays and maximizing passenger safety.
This initiative marks a significant leap forward for Indian Railways. No longer will winter fog throw a wrench into travel plans. With the Fog Pass Device as their trusty co-pilot, loco pilots can navigate even the densest fog with confidence, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey for passengers across the nation. So, the next time you embark on a winter train journey, rest assured that cutting-edge technology is working tirelessly behind the scenes to get you to your destination safely and on time.
General features of Fog Pass Device:
- Suitable for all types of sections like single line, double line, electrified as well as non-electrified sections.
- Suitable for all types of electric and diesel locomotives, EMUs/MEMUs/DEMUs.
- Suitable for train speeds up to 160 kmph.
- It has a built-in rechargeable battery backup for 18 hrs.
- It is portable, compact in size, light in weight (not more than 1.5 kg including battery), and of robust design. Loco Pilots can carry the device easily with them to the locomotive upon resuming their duty.
- It can be easily placed on the cab desk of a locomotive.
- It is a standalone system.
- It is unaffected by weather conditions like fog, rain, or sunshine.
| Zonal Railways | No. of Devices Provisioned |
| Central Railway | 560 |
| Eastern Railway | 1,103 |
| East Central Railway | 1,891 |
| East Coast Railway | 375 |
| Northern Railway | 4,491 |
| North Central Railway | 1,289 |
| North Eastern Railway | 1,769 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway | 1,101 |
| North Western Railway | 992 |
| South Central Railway | 1,120 |
| South Eastern Railway | 2,955 |
| South East Central Railway | 997 |
| South Western Railway | 60 |
| West Central Railway | 1,046 |
| Total | 19,742 |