SCR introduces mobile accident relief van

The South Central Railway (SCR) has developed a 'road mobile accident relief van' which is a first-of-its-kind. The relief van will have hydraulic re-railing equipment manufactured by M/s Hegenscheidt MFD GmbH & Co KG of Germany, costing Rs 48 lakh, to carry out re-railing of the derailed rolling stock. 1.5 KVA generator and other special tools have been kept in this van which is required for the re-railment and restoration work.

To test its efficacy, a live on-field demonstration of the capability of the road mobile accident relief van was conducted at Charlapally Railway station. Railway personnel undertook the task of lifting the wheels of a goods wagon derailed from the track. The derailed wagon was re-railed utilising the equipments in the van, in a swift operation.

In order to carry out the re-railment and restoration in case of derailments, accident relief trains equipped with specialised hydraulic re-railing equipment and other special tools along with mechanical, electrical and engineering materials are stationed at identified locations. Well trained staff of different departments of the railway was nominated to carry out the restoration work. At present such accident relief trains are located at Secunderabad, Kazipet and Bellampally stations. As and when the need arises, these relief trains would be moved on priority to undertake re-railment and restoration works.