CONTROL OFFICE PLAN & EXECUTION:

A large number of agencies play important role in freight operation. Marshalling Yards, Train Examination, Locomotives, and Lobbies have been discussed elsewhere in this Manual. Role of a few agencies is discussed below with special reference to freight operations.

Control Office:

The main function of the Control Office is planning, execution, and review of all the three activities going on simultaneously.

Planning:
  • It is aimed at forecasting and optimizing the following:
  • Interchange
  • Trains to be run section-wise
  • Supply of rakes/ for bulk loading,
  • Release of inward loaded rakes placed for Unloading Information regarding the following items is generally required for this purpose
  • Analysis of divisional wagon holding
  • Power availability
  • Availability of loads
  • Disposal of empty rakes
  • Demands for loading
  • The plan is made under Control in the early hours of the morning and reviewed by Operating Officers.Changes in the plan, as deemed necessary are made at various stages on the basis of updated information received from the activity centers, adjacent divisions, and instructions received from the Head Quarters.
Execution:

The goods operation plan is executed on the basis of actual materialization. of the forecast with suitable adjustments made for shortfalls /excesses.Yards, Loco Sheds, Stations, Terminals, Lobbies and TXR depots are actively involved in the execution of the plan.

Review:

The trend of the day’s position is reviewed by the Chief Controllers and Officers in the afternoon.Detailed review of the previous day’s performance is carried out early in the morning by the Operating

Officers with the following objectives:
  • Analyzing shortfalls of the previous day to take remedial measures and pinpoint weak spots.
  • Provide data for planning for the current day.
The main features of performance, which can be reviewed, include:
  • Interchange failures
  • Divisional Wagon Balance (Wagons on Division)
  • Train running
  • Disposition of empties
  • Loading at important terminals – and in case of the shortfall, the reason for the same.
  • Review of unusual occurrences
  • Examination of Control Charts
  • Particulars of stabled loads
  • Yard performance
  • Unloading on Division
  • Registrations and Loading
  • Power position, utilization of Locos & Terminal detention
  • Sick line working
  • Special type of stock
  • Clearance of piecemeal wagons (sick or otherwise) from roadside stations.