1) ALD jn. is a jn where trains coming from 6 sides. CNB, JBP,MGS,BSB,SLN,BSB(viaJanghai) in which via cnb and mgs maximum number of trains and freight operated. It has total 10 pfs. ALD is a NCR division mainstream of IR and play very important role for IR and this is why has been awarded many times for best management.
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2)Platform arrival: There are several trains which originate from ALD jn and they got either 8 or 1 no of pf to start with. Most of the trains coming BSB-SLN sides are ontime trains and they got first preference to ALD (as per officials), Also they dont have to disturb mainline trains/freights much so they easily brought up to the pf while others have to wait either for late running or because of freight occupying the pf. The train coming from CNB side arrived after 3rd no of pf and depart subsequently. Trains coming towards Naini-Prayag side are have to wait more and if they have arrival after 3rd no. of pf they have to wait more because of crossing of main lines and other zig-zag motions. They got detained and delayed in dep too because they have to come on main line just like they came on the pfs. so entry and exit both are having prob.
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3) Congestion: Till 2005/7 this jn was handling trains superbly managing the time and speed but
In recent time (5yrs) it has gone through with very bad phase or we can say IR political play made it worst. How?
in the last 10 to 15 year IR got 2 RM from Bihar and 1 major from West bengal and in every budget they have introduced numbers of trains passing through this which has result in congestion. The new govt is very much understanding this fact and also stated that appox 200% of load carrying under this jn.
there are no by pass available for this jn. and here one fact is notable that its every outer is a Jn. point except 2 which has the scene more worst and the term CONGESTION became as big that train got a delay of minimum 2hrs just passing through this jn.
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4) Priority: This is one of important thing which should be considerable for ALD jn. Here the top priority given to Rajdhani class train and there after freights and then SF-Exp-Pass..!
While Rajdhani class has the topmost priority then SF category should have the 2nd position as no shatbdi runs from/via ALD but as per RB guidelines freights towing coals having 2nd most priority because it help us to generate energy and if there are delay then it may end with bad night or work for us.
(MGS) Many freights you can see which are booked either for Dadri or gmc back to back on ALD outers even on the PFs of ALD to go on and here they work /blog/post/1495769 on hand signals because if they will follow the home signal then it will be more time consuming and same applied for other passenger trains.
One of the funny occurrence you can see near by ald that your train is sidelined and a Freight otied you this is just because of above given fact.
but time to time we see diff in this as RB give preference order and freights got the last number of priority and passenger trains enjoy there run just like they did in the last decade. Here time to time reduction in freight train happens also which signifies in normal run of pass trains.
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5) EDFC-3rd Line: By the time of 2007 it was good for trains to have a good time to ald station and roll out from it but after this year the politics ruins the enjoyment of passengers and this went upto next 5 yrs and still in progress but at the last some infrastructure comes up in development (On going) which will help up this jn to regain its old status for trains. EDFC will by-pass the line hand will have flyover type passing with ALD outer and this will help reducing hundreds of freights entering and holding the passenger trains for hours. also this line will be directly connected to GMC and Dadri so much faster connectivity for frieght it will give.
3rd line of MGS-ALD will help to reduce the load of passenger trains on this jn and there will be no more demand for intersection points.
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Have a look at first version of this spotting:
/blog/post/1495769I hope my post will help some gentlemen's doubt clear and it will help in reduction in bashing post.
There are more and many things I have to write but time is a contraint, if anyone have any question he can pvt me or just comment to this reply.
Thanks