Why are there two Loco Pilots in a Train? It is a normal question arise when we see two person in a locomotive cab. Here listen the full and original facts from a Loco Pilot (Me). Stay tuned till the end.
The two people who you normally see in a Locomotive's cab are two different posts holders.
One who drives the Loco is Loco Pilot and other one is ALP or Assistant Loco Pilot.
Reasons
The main reason for Loco Pilot and Assistant Loco Pilot two persons provide in a Locomotive is for Safety and handling any unwanted situation arises with train smoothly.
Another reason is to give proper practical training for a newcomer as ALP. Two people you have seen in Locomotive one is Loco Pilot and another one is Assistant Loco Pilot.
How do you confirm who is Loco Pilot and who is an Assistant Loco Pilot? here is a thumb rule for you.
Loco pilot stands in the left side in an Electric locomotive and ALP is in right side. Loco Pilot is a very very responsible job in terms of safety of railway passenger.
So railway administration doesn’t recruit Loco pilot directly. Assistant loco Pilot is the initial post of this in this category.
Why it is actual necessary to deploy two person in a Locomotive ?
I was also work as an ALP for about 08 years. In ALP period we learned and experienced various matter with practical knowledge.
This will vary help full for an ALP to be a good Loco Pilot In future. The main duty of ALP divided into two types, at the time of taking charge and the other is on run.
At the time of taking charge ALP to check whole Loco with mechanical, electrical, and Pneumatic parts in good working condition.
On the run duty of ALP is be vigilant and Sharpe. constant look all the meter, gauge and signals coming. ALP must call the signal aspect and taking reaction from Loco Pilot.
One of the other main duty is to note all the passing time of each station. Exchange All Right Signal with SM of his side when the passing the station and also with a train coming from the opposite direction.
In any abnormal Conditions
If any abnormality like ACP (Alarm Chain pulling) happen ALP duty to go to the spot and rectify that.
If any reason Loco Pilot unable to run his train ALP duty to drive the train up to next station to clear the block section.
So the ALP period is to gain the practical experience to be a good Loco Pilot in future.
In some special train Like Rajdhani, Duranto, Shatabdi, both are Loco Pilot. One is the Main Loco Pilot who drive the train and other is Co Loco Pilot.
Thanks for reading, I just share my practical knowledge. Hope at this point of reading this article you don't have any doubt or question on your mind.
If yes, then please place a comment, i will try to clear your doubt as per capacity.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
2 comments
Click here for commentsIs it illegal for a loco pilot to allow anyone else apart from the crew to enter the loco cabin?
ReplyI love the locomotives of the Indian Railways, and my favourite loco is WAP4. It is my dream to take a short journey in the cabin of the WAP4 loco.
What is the possibility of this?
It is not possible to enter in locomotive cab without any permission. The authorised person issued a special Cab Pass from respective department. You can approach at Divisional Head quarter. May be they give you permission. For more you can subscribe my blog. Regards Subahsis.
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