The Central Railway (CR) zone of Indian Railways runs a complex suburban system carrying around 45 lakh passengers daily (before Covid) and currently has around 35 lakh passengers through its 1810 services. It is called the ‘lifeline’ of the city in Mumbai, because before the last local reaches his destination, the first local begins his journey. S1 (departs CSMT Karjat local at 00.24 hrs from CSMT and reaches Karjat at 2.45 hrs, before reaching Karjat, the first local from Karjat starts at 2.33 hrs i.e. S2 from Karjat to CSMT)
Have you ever wondered how the locals are run round the clock? There are three car sheds Kurla, Kalwa and Sanpada and night stabling depot where night checking is done daily on stationary rakes on Central Railway.
Central railway Rolling-in test is conducted at Thane, Panvel stations to detect any irregularities in the under gear during rolling of the rake in the platform. Night examination in which major safety items including the under gear of the rake are checked. Trip inspection was carried out at Kurla, Kalwa and Sanpada carsheds at intervals of 15 days during night/day time. The focus is on brake gear and passenger amenities during this schedule.
All electrical goods, passenger convenience items are checked in the inspection program carried out at intervals of 60 days during day time only. In another inspection program conducted at 8 months interval during day time only, the battery, low tension jumpers, couplers, suspension, wheel parameters, rod gauge etc. are checked.
Rake cleaning: Dry cleaning, wet mopping, washing etc. of rakes are done at regular intervals. Disinfectants are sprayed in the coaches as well as unauthorized posters are removed.
Apart from this, manpower like employees in car sheds, motormen and guards required to run the train are also scheduled in advance so that the lifeline runs smoothly.