The Station Working Rules (SWR) are essential for regulating train operations at railway stations and ensuring safe and efficient train movements. These rules are framed and issued with careful consideration of the local conditions and safety requirements. The purpose of SWR is to guide station staff, train operators, and other stakeholders in maintaining discipline and safety in normal and abnormal conditions at stations and yards.

Powers to Issue Station Working Rules

  • Divisional Railway Managers (DRM) and their Senior Divisional Operations Managers (Sr. DOM) hold the authority to issue working instructions within their divisions.
  • For Interlocked Stations, the SWR must be framed jointly and signed by the Sr. DOM and Sr. DSTE (Senior Divisional Signal & Telecommunication Engineer).
  • For Non-Interlocked Stations, the SWR is jointly framed and signed by the Sr. DOM and Sr. DEN (Divisional Engineer).
  • The appendices of SWR are signed by the concerned officer responsible.

Preparation, Revision, and Issue of SWR

  1. Verification:
    The Sr. DOM and Sr. DSTE are responsible for carefully checking the SWR and any correction slips for all stations to ensure accuracy and completeness before issuing them.

  2. Special Instructions:
    If the SWR involves exceptions to General Rules (GR) or Safety Rules (SR), the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) will consult the PCOM (Principal Chief Operations Manager) and CSTE (Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer) for obtaining the necessary sanction from the Commissioner of Railway Safety.

  3. Re-validation & Revision:
    If no changes have occurred after five years (and up to five correction slips), the SWR should be revalidated. However, a revision is required if a sixth correction is necessary.

  4. Joint Revalidation:
    At the end of five years, a revalidation order signed by both Operating and S&T officers should be issued, negating the need to re-call the SWR.

Responsibilities of Station Master (SM) Regarding SWR

  • Ensuring Accuracy: The SM must ensure the SWR is accurate and aligned with the local station conditions. Any discrepancies should be immediately reported to the Sr. DOM or DOM.

  • Staff Assurance: The SM is responsible for ensuring that all train-passing staff at the station have read and understood the SWR. The staff should sign the “Assurance Register” to confirm this.

  • Explanation to Illiterate Staff: The SM must explain the SWR contents to illiterate Group-“D” staff in the regional language and get their thumb impressions as a token of understanding.

  • Assurance Register: Two separate registers must be maintained – one for Group-"C" staff and the other for Group-"D" staff. Assurance is taken in the following cases:

    • When a new staff member reports for duty.
    • After an employee is on leave for 15 days or more.
    • When amendments or changes are made to the SWR.

Summary of Key Components in SWR

  1. Station Working Rule Diagram: Visual representation of the station layout.
  2. Description of Station: Detailed information on the station.
  3. System and Means of Working: Describes the operational system at the station.
  4. System of Signaling & Interlocking: Rules governing signaling and interlocking at the station.
  5. Telecommunication: Guidelines for communication systems.
  6. System of Train Working: Procedures for the safe movement of trains.
  7. Blocking of Lines: Protocol for line blockages.
  8. Rules for Shunting: Procedures to safely handle shunting operations.
  9. Abnormal Working: Instructions for handling abnormal or emergency situations.
  10. VTO (Vehicle Tracking Officer): Roles of the officer in charge of vehicle tracking.
  11. Essential Equipment at Station: Listing of required safety and operational equipment.
  12. Fog Signalmen Nomination: Rules for nominating personnel during fog conditions.

Appendices of SWR

  1. Appendix A: Working of Level Crossing (LC) Gate(s)
  2. Appendix B: System of Signaling, Interlocking, and Communications
  3. Appendix C: Automatic Control Device (ACD)
  4. Appendix D: Duty Roster of Train-Passing Staff
  5. Appendix E: Essential Equipment at Station
  6. Appendix F: Rules for Working IBH, IBS, Halts, DK Class Stations, and Outlying Sidings
  7. Appendix G: Working of Trains in Electrified Sections
  8. Appendix H: History of the Station

Distribution of SWR Copies

Copies of the Station Working Rules must be supplied to the following authorities for proper implementation and monitoring:

  • Station/Cabin/Panel.
  • CRS (Commission of Railway Safety)
  • PCOM
  • CSTE
  • Sr. DSTE
  • Sr. DEN
  • Sr. DEE (TRD)