The East Coast Railway (ECoR) set a record here in Odisha, by making a 2-km long goods train run on the track, on Monday for the first time in its history. The 2-km length, came into being by combining three freight trains as one unit and such trains are called ‘Python Rake’ due to its long snake size formation while running on the track. It was heading towards Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh and its run was conducted on an experimental basis.
Jaideep Gupta, the divisional railway manager of Sambalpur division said, “When started, we had planned to run 101 km from Godbhaga to Balangir station, but we crossed the distance by 40 km more towards Titilagarh junction being inspired by the first 101 km journey. Afterward, we disconnected a train at Saintala station and the second one at Badmal station.”
The Python Rake’s first 45 flat wagons was loaded with containers, while each of the second and third rakes of 51 alumina containers were empty.
These trains run slowly on a single line and get delayed; therefore the railway is constructing double line between Khaliapali and Dungripali stations in Sambalpur division. As Gupta said, “These three trains separately were taking one hour each to pass the railway section. Now with the introduction of the ‘Python Rake’ (three trains as a single unit) same time is being consumed. So we have decided to amalgamate three goods trains and cross the railway section to help other stranded trains to pass it. It reduces rail traffic’s pressure and saves time and energy.”
Earlier, combining two trains, there were instances of Python Rake at Agra and other regions of the country, but this is for the first time, by amalgamating of three rakes, Indian Railways has successfully experimented its organised way of running.
Additonally the ECoR sources said the game plan to carry out these exercises soon in different parts of the state and its jurisdiction in a well planned manner is on process.
