New Delhi: The Railway Board has directed all zones to maintain detailed records of distributor valve failures. This valve is a vital component of the train’s braking system. They have also been instructed to share the data with the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) every month for thorough inspection.
Experts stated that the distributor valve is a crucial component of the train’s braking system, playing a crucial role in preventing signal passed at danger (SPAD) incidents and increasing safety by reducing the risk of accidents.
According to railway officials, the current practice of handling incoming wagons with different DVs during yard inspections is to mark the wagon for sick line attention in case of a DV failure, so that the faulty distributor valve can be replaced with an overhauled or new, fully functional, and tested unit. However, the actual causes of distributor valve failure or malfunction are not investigated on a case-by-case basis.
The Railways directed, “It should be ensured that when a DV is found isolated, the wagon is thoroughly checked using a Rake Test Rig (RTR). In cases of malfunction or irregular behavior, the DV should be replaced with an overhauled DV or the wagon should be sent to the sick line for further care. In cases where the DV is replaced in the yard, the wagon should be subjected to another RTR check.”
Railway Instructions to Zones
Zonal Railways must investigate every case of DV malfunction and maintain data on all faulty DVs, including the reasons for the malfunction. The data will be shared with the RDSO every month, and the Wagon Directorate of the RDSO will conduct a detailed analysis of the data to identify the causes and patterns of malfunctions. Based on the analysis, the RDSO should recommend an action plan to reduce DV failures along the route.
What do experts say?
Tapas Chattaraj, Zonal Advisor of the All India Guards Council, told ETV Bharat, “The distributor valve is a crucial component of the braking system that controls air pressure. Its absence will cause air leakage and brake power to be reduced or shut down. It is an essential safety device that maintains train speed and control, preventing SPADs and accidents.”
Ram Charan, Central President of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, told ETV Bharat, “This device distributes air pressure to ensure smooth operation of the braking system. If it fails, trains will overshoot (jump signals). A DV failure will result in a SPAD, which is not safe for railway safety as well as for passengers. Running a train without this device is as difficult as driving any other vehicle without brakes.”
What is a distributor valve system?
According to the railway manual, the DV is the most important functional part of the air brake system and is often referred to as the heart of the system. It delivers compressed air from the brake pipe to the auxiliary reservoir and control reservoir, and it also senses increases and decreases in brake pipe pressure to apply or release the brakes accordingly.
