MY PROJECT 3 (ANALYSIS STUDY 1)

Today, Indian Railways has progressed so much in every field; whether it is related to its safety or technology. Indian Railways also tries to keep its system upgraded from time to time. New technologies are implemented in every stream lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of travel. 

Still something more left for major development and that thing is 'CABOOSE'.Now, most of the people thinks what is a Caboose. So, just like passenger trains has guard section at the end of the train from where the guard performs it's duty, similarly you have seen the guard cabin at the end of the freight train in white or brown colour where guard stays and performs it duty for freight train called as 'CABOOSE’. But have you ever seen the condition of a Caboose? When I have seen it for first time, I almost got frightened and probably you would also get frightened by looking its inside condition. The condition was really pathetic and impossible for guard to do its duty in that environment. Still every goods guard performs its duty honestly and always ready to safeguard his/her allotted train.

We have seen a lot of upgradation in passengers’ coaches. In starting, there were ICF coaches with non-AC cabin at the end of train for guards. With further developments, the coaches were more modified to make journey for guard easy and safe. On further changes, ICF coaches were replaced by LHB coaches having end-on-generator cars at both end of train which has air-conditioned cabins for guards for a safe and comfortable journey.

A lot of developments progressed in passenger's coaches but nothing has been done for freight Caboose. This blog has come up with the idea of small development for 'CABOOSE' to have comfortable and happy journey for guards.

One of the major problems for 'CABOOSE' is lack of electricity supply. The Caboose always remain dark with improper air circulation. We know that no arrangements can be made to electrify Caboose by locomotives or any end-on-generation techniques.

But one thing can be implemented is the self-generating techniques of coaches. As in ICF coaches, Dynamos are used underneath the coaches for producing 25kW of power supply to coaches. As the Caboose are only in small area, so less electricity consumption for lighting. We can use LED'S for efficient energy conservation. They only need power of 5kW which can be easily be generated by Dynamos and stored in batteries. Also, they provide less friction by dynamo to Caboose as compared to ICF coaches.

Another thing that to be implemented is the proper toilet facility for guards. In running condition of train, it becomes very difficult for guard to go toilets, thus attached toilets with Caboose should be there. There are lot of area available in Caboose where toilets can be attached as shown in the figure. Proper collection system attached beneath the Caboose similar to bio toilets which can be drained out at the stations.

As the Caboose is made of pure iron steel, there becomes an improper insulation for the inner side. The guard faces extreme heat during summer and extreme cold during winters. Thus, a small layer of insulation at the walls of the Caboose should be provided to keep inner condition favourable for journey. It doesn't cost much, as insulation is required in small area only and a thin layer can help a lot to make condition favourable.

 

In this way, certain development can make a big difference for that person who do its duty honestly and make things comfortable for them rather than leaving them in such bad conditions. There are development in every sectors like coaches, locomotives to make journey for dutyman comfortable. Why not make some more changes for goods guard too.

Images: Google images