25 August,2026 10:21 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
The work involved replacing several track components, crossings, rails and signalling equipment associated with the complex track-switching arrangement. Pic/Special Arrangement
Central Railway's Pune Division has completed the conversion of its fourth 52 kg Diamond Double Slip (DDS) into a 60 kg arrangement at Pune Yard, a move aimed at strengthening track infrastructure and improving operational reliability in one of the division's busy railway yards.
According to Central Railway, DDS No. 251/252 was upgraded as part of efforts to improve the strength and durability of the track infrastructure. The work involved replacing several track components, crossings, rails and signalling equipment associated with the complex track-switching arrangement.
The Diamond Double Slip is a specialised track arrangement that allows trains to move between intersecting tracks in multiple directions. Central Railway said the conversion from 52 kg to 60 kg rail infrastructure provides greater strength and durability and is better suited to handling heavier loads and increasing traffic requirements.
A nine-hour traffic and power block was operated on August 23 from 8 am to 5 pm to carry out the conversion work. Central Railway said the block was cleared as scheduled at 5 pm, allowing normal operations to resume.
As part of the work, eight stock rails and eight tongue rails, along with their fittings, were replaced. Two acute crossings and two obtuse crossings were also replaced. In addition, eight approach rails and four lead rails were replaced during the upgrade.
The engineering work also included the fabrication of four in-situ glued joints and the insertion of six prefabricated glued joints. Four switch motors, along with their roddings, were replaced as part of the work.
Central Railway said 122 manual Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSRs) were completed during the shadow block to facilitate the work and maintain operational safety while the infrastructure upgrade was underway.
The scale of the work required coordination between the permanent-way and signalling and telecommunications teams. Central Railway said 200 permanent-way labourers, one glued joint team and four blacksmiths were deployed for the project.
The signalling and telecommunications work was supported by 25 staff members, while five permanent-way supervisors and eight signalling and telecommunications supervisors were involved in overseeing different aspects of the operation.
The latest work marks the conversion of the fourth 52 kg Diamond Double Slip to 60 kg in Pune Yard, according to Central Railway. The upgrade is expected to strengthen the track at the junction and improve the reliability of train movements through the yard.
Central Railway said the work forms part of ongoing efforts to upgrade track infrastructure and improve operational efficiency. The conversion is expected to provide a more durable track arrangement capable of supporting the operational requirements of Pune Yard as traffic and load demands increase.
The completion of the work within the scheduled nine-hour block also helped minimise disruption to railway operations while allowing the engineering and signalling teams to undertake the extensive replacement and installation work.
