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How Does Emergency Chain Pulling Stop The Train?
How Does Emergency Chain Pulling Stop The Train?
Ever seen videos of trains crushing trucks, vehicles or anything in their path with ease? The locomotives are absolute units, and the engine of Indian Railways alone can weigh anywhere from 110 tonnes to 180 tonnes, depending on its type and class. In this scenario, however, even an alert locomotive pilot cannot bring the engine and the subsequent attached bogies to a complete halt immediately. But pilots aren't the only ones onboard who are equipped with the mechanism to bring the train to a halt.
To assist passengers facing emergencies, a red-coloured chain is fitted in all the bogies near the roof in each compartment.
Apart from the obvious danger signs and warnings printed around the red chain, it's important to note that pulling the chain for minor, trivial inconveniences comes with hefty consequences.
“Alarm Chain Pulling (ACP) is adjudged as one of the major factors for the delayed operation of trains services, pan-India. Any unusual stoppage of a train will not only affect the punctuality of that particular train, but also of all the trains running behind it besides consuming the valuable time of Rail passengers," a blog published in Southern Railway stated.
The write-up added that the most common reason for Alarm Chain Pulling was due to the non-passengers failing to deboard the train after sending off their families or friends.
In cases such as this and several others where a reasonable and sufficient cause isn't established, the perpetrator could face imprisonment up to one year or a fine of Rs 1,000 or both. ACP is a punishable offence under the Indian Railways Act, under section 141.
In 2025, a viral Instagram video was widely circulated across social media platforms showing a woman standing on her seat in one of the compartments, and reaching out for the red chain.
It was alleged that her stunt wasn't in response to any emergency that had arisen, but rather to get off at her desired station. The young woman received immense backlash and ridicule from social commentators.
A post shared by Gajab Ki Duniyaa (@gajabkiduniyaa)
In another instance, a man was booked by Indian Railways for pulling the emergency brakes on the Rajdhani Express, travelling from Nashik to Mathura, to help his friend get off the train.
In 2023-2024, Southern Railway alone noted 2,632 cases of illegal chain pulling, which resulted in a total fine of Rs 15,45,165.
During passenger emergencies, the person needs immediate medical attention. Other cases could include fire breakout, safety threats.
“When the alarm chain is pulled, the valve in the brake air pipe of the coach opens and the air is released. It causes the train to slow down," noted RailMitra. When the air pressure of the train's brake starts decreasing, the loco pilot notices the drop in pressure on the meter located in front of them on the panel.
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This is when the pilot blows the horn, signalling and thereby alerting the security personnel to assess the situation and attend to the passenger's emergency after the train has come to a complete halt.
According to Britannica, George Westinghouse, an American engineer and inventor, is the mastermind behind the chain-braking mechanism, which has been in use for over 150 years.
Source: News18
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