Equipments at Level Crossing and Duties of Gateman

Equipment at Level Crossings –

(1) The equipment for a manned level crossing shall be as follows; in addition to such others as may be prescribed by special instructions :–

(a) 2 hand signal lamps, tri-colour provided with bright refle ctors,

(b) 1 hand signal flag, green.

(c) 2 hand signal flags, red.

(d) 1 staff suitable for exhibition of red lamp or red flag.

(e) 2 long spare chains with “stop” marked disc attachment at the center to cover the full width of the gate, for use in case the gates/barriers are damaged

(f) 2 spare small chains and padlocks for locking gates, in case locking arrangements of gates become defective.

(g) 12 detonators.

(h) 1 tin case for flags.

(i) 1 tin case for detonators.

(j) 1 canister for muster sheet.

(k) 1 can for oil.

(l) 1 tummy bar.

(m) 1 water pot or bucket.

(n) 1 mortar pan.

(o) 1 powrah.

(p) 1 rammer.

(q) 1 pick-axe.

(r) 1 tool list (with columns drawn for checking of tools).

(s) 1 book of safety rules in Hindi or regional language.

(t) Duty roster.

(u) Complaint book for road users.

(v) Inspection registers.

(w) Level crossing working instructions (in local language) where applicable.

(x) Two gate lamps.

(y) Gatemen working on double line/multiple lines, ghats, and suburban and automatic block territories shall be provided with three fusees. Gatemen working

on single line sections shall be supplied with one fusee.
(z) Diagram indicating the method of protection to be adopted, in case of obstruction in the level crossing.

z(i) Wall clocks in gate-lodges at all manned level crossings to enable the gateman to correctly record the time of exchange of private number, expected and actual time of passage of train, time for opening and closing of level crossing, etc

Note : In the case of level crossings in multiple lines the hand signal flags/lamps,

detonators shall be increased suitably.

Duties of Gateman –

(1) Alertness – The Gateman should be on the alert and be prepared to take immediate action, should danger be apprehended. The keys of the gates shall be on his person.

(2) Position during passage of trains – The Gatemen should stand facing the track

on the gatelodge side of the approaching train. He should observe all passing trains and be prepared to take such action as may be necessary to ensure safety of

trains.

(3) Action in emergency – In case of an obstruction at the level crossing the Gateman should maintain the gate signals, if any, in the “ON” position and if unable to remove it, protect the line as under-

(a) On double line, if both lines are obstructed during day, he shall plant a red banner flag at a distance of 5 metres from the end of check rails on the line on which a train is expected to arrive first, and then plant another red banner flag on the other line at the site of obstruction. He shall then pick up red hand signal and showing it, proceed on that line towards the direction of an approaching train to a

point 600 metres on Broad Gauge and 400 metres on Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge from the level crossing and place one detonator on the line, after which proceed further to not less than 1200 metres from the level crossing on Broad Gauge and 800 metres on Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge and place 3 detonators on the line about 10 metres apart. Having thus protected the line on which a train is expected to approach first, he should return to the level crossing, picking up the intermediate detonators on his way back. He shall then proceed on the other line showing red hand signal, place detonators similarly and return to the site of obstruction to warn the Driver of an approaching train. Provided that on those Metre Gauge sections where trains run at more than 75 Km/h, the detonators shall be placed at distance to be specified under special instructions by the Administration.

(b) On single line, if the line is obstructed during day, he shall plant a red banner flag at a distance of 5 metres from the end of check rails towards the direction from which a train is expected to arrive first, then plant another banner flag towards the opposite direction at the site of obstruction. He shall then pick up red

hand signal and as in sub-para (a) above, protect the line in the direction from which a train is expected to approach first, return to the site of obstruction, and proceed with all haste in the other direction to protect the line. Having protected the line on both sides, he should station himself at the place of obstruction to warn the Driver of an approaching train.

(c) At night the Gateman should light the two hand signal lamps and take action to exhibit red light and protect the lines as in sub-paras (a) and (b) above.

(d) Gateman should take immediate action to inform the Mate, P.W.I. and the nearest Station Master about the obstruction at the level crossing through messenger or other means available.

(4) Parting of a Train -If a Gateman notices that a train has parted he shall not show a stop hand signal to the Driver, but shall endeavour to attract the attention of the Driver and the Guard by shouting, gesticulating or other means.

(5) The Gateman should ensure that the gate lamps and lamps of all gate signals are lighted and kept burning continuously from sunset to sunrise.

(6) No Gateman shall leave his gate unless other Gateman has taken charge of it. If it is necessary to leave his gate in an emergency, before doing so, he should close and lock the gates against the public road.

(7) The Gateman should see that the channel for the flange of the wheel is kept clear.

(8) The Gateman should keep the road surface well watered and rammed.

(9) At level crossings, if any gate or barrier gets damaged / out of order the Gateman should use the spare chain and disc, for closing against the road traffic.

(10) As soon as possible, the Gateman should report to the nearest Station Master, Gang Mate or Permanent Way Inspector any defect in his gate or the apparatus pertaining to it.

(11) At gates the signal or signals of which have become defective, the Gateman should close and lock the gates on sighting of train and hand signal or pilot the train past the defective signal. In such case he should inform the Driver to report

about the defective signal or signals to the Station Master atthe next station.

(12) In the event of a gate signal becoming defective the Gateman should maintain the signal in the ‘ON’ position by disconnecting the signal or the wire if

necessary.

(13) The Gateman should ensure that the equipment supplied to the gate is in good order and ready for immediate use.

(14) Every Gateman shall as for as possible prevent trespassing by persons or cattle.