Through successful run of Super Python, longest ever goods rake run on Indian Railways network, South East Central Railway (SECR) Nagpur Division signalled India's entry into super league of nations that boasts of such capability. A single formation having 236 empty rakes negotiated a distance of 22 kms from Pamalkasa to Durg within 45 minutes thereby opening a new era on freight haul in the country that joined club of China, Australia and other developed countries. With curtailment of coaching train operations due to COVID-19 pandemic, divisional railway officials planned out the operation of Super Python to successfully craft a history. Achievement by SECR, the leader in freight operations over Indian Railways, made the world watch the achievement of successful running of first ever heavy haul.

 

A heavy haul indicates transportation of 12,000 tonnes of goods in a single run and advanced countries that have superior technology and also dedicated goods route had it easy, explained Arjun Sibbal, Sr. Divisional Operations Manager and chief architect of Super Python run. However accepting the challenge, team SECR perfectly chalked out minute details as any failure in maiden run would have been disappointing. The 2.8 km long empty rake while made it to record books and may become regular feature over Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). As other Railways Zones are seeking details on formation and run and asking for technical data, Sibbal said sooner or later Python could become a regular feature.

 

The senior officer while detailing the hard work that went into achieving the distinction, said the run was just perfect as it negotiated through Raipur Division where a four hour block was in operation just after it ended. Since Python had to be run on mainline and without loss of power, everything had to executed as per the plan. Therefore we chose the current time of pandemic as there is no pressure of passenger carrying trains. Since, Bilaspur and Raipur Divisions had already ran Anaconda, running of three rakes in one formation, Nagpur Division wanted to try out stretch overselves to limits.

 

Now with Python one can haul 16,000 tonnes of goods in single run thereby cutting down time and also lesser blockage of path. Sibbal however added that there is still room for improvement as currently we require longer yard where such rakes can be formed in shorter time period.

 

For formation of Python we took about three and half hour and had to chose road side station so that mainline was not blocked. Now it has to be seen how frequently can such heavy hauls be run given the constraints of track capacity and other things.

 

But bigger challenge now is can we haul loaded Python, asked Sibbal while indicating that SECR might be contemplating trying its hand as it area apart from catering to coal mines in big way is also catering to movement of cargo on port route.

 

To a query, Sibbal said the Python in now way disturbed track carrying capacity as axle load remained the same. As the locos operated on distributed power control system (DPCS) wherein lead locomotive controls entire power of other engines and they are connected through radio control system it was just smooth sailing once the rake started the run. Python experiment can be successful in operations of Container Trains wherein the load is also not that heavy. Simply put it can ensure faster clearance of ports and more speedier distribution of goods throughout the country.

 

Sibbal said Indian Railways have proved its point that we might have technological limitation but still we can offer cheaper and better solution to meet country’s requirements. “It is also a signal to our competitors there is not let up in our spirit and dedication and we are ready for heavy haul of the future,” he opined.