THE CRASHWORTHINESS test of rail coaches at the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is finally over with the institute successfully ‘fine-tuning’ its technology for SLR (second class luggage and break van) coaches.
The physical test of SLR-GS coach, which was conducted in February last at Alam Nagar railway station, was unsuccessful. The impact against the ramp platen (stationary coach weighing 100 tonnes) was so severe that it was seen beyond the safe portion, thus defeating the very purpose.
The basic idea of developing such coaches was that the impact should not reach beyond the lavatory area to the high-density passenger area, so that the damage to life and property could be minimised. The other aspect that has been rectified during the ‘fine-tuning’ exercise was reducing the chances of coaches mounting on one another during the crash.
Normally, it is seen that coaches mount on others causing death to several passengers. “With this technology, the possibility of coaches climbing onto another is reduced,” said a senior officer.
The railways has already started manufacturing the crashworthy coaches for the general coaches and the AC coaches at RCF (Rail Coach Factory) Kapurthala, and ICF (Integrated Coach Factories), Chennai. “The RDSO would soon be sending the proposal for the manufacturing of the SLR coaches,” stated the officer.
{{/usCountry}}The railways has already started manufacturing the crashworthy coaches for the general coaches and the AC coaches at RCF (Rail Coach Factory) Kapurthala, and ICF (Integrated Coach Factories), Chennai. “The RDSO would soon be sending the proposal for the manufacturing of the SLR coaches,” stated the officer.
{{/usCountry}}Sources in the RDSO said that after the physical test, a number of exercises were carried out in the lab to remove the anomalies through computer simulation. “And after the successful completion of the simulation test, we are ready to send the proposal,” he added.