IR WDP-4 20031Phursungi Mahārāshtra Phursungi

Flag Exchange: As per Indian Railways working procedures, at most of the small stations, it is still customary to use hand-held red,green flags to signal the passing trains. Hand-held lamps are used during night time. Whenever a train passes through such stations the station master exchanges a "all-clear", green signal from platform side with the loco-pilot and the guard of the train. The same is done by a station staff from the other side of the train by exchanging signal with assistant loco-pilot. Green signal indicates a confirmation to the crew that the train is allowed to pass through, as per the main line signal ahead on the track. It also indicates the assurance that the line is secured from the both sides & apparently there doesn't seem any deformity with the passing train. The green flag is always held in the left hand by the crew and the red flag is kept ready in their strong right hand ready to be displayed in case of any unusual phenomena is observed. In this image the station staff and station master are seen exchanging all clear green signals with the train crew as the train at full speed, passes through Phursungi station.

@lalam - Excellent description of an interesting aspect of operations. Thanks, Lalam!

@Maersk.146 Thanks. There are safely marked places for the station staff to stand on the opposite side of the platform. The station staff person on the right of the image is standing exactly on the spot marked.