What does locomotive switching mean?
2 Answers
Locomotive switching refers to the operation of changing the lead locomotive. The arriving locomotive first uncouples, moves forward 5 meters to stop, or leaves the train storage track via a fixed route to proceed to the locomotive running track or waiting track. Subsequently, the departing locomotive follows a fixed route to enter the train storage track and couples to the train. The process of the locomotive changing direction by switching ends is also considered locomotive switching. During locomotive switching, passengers remain in the train cars, and anti-rolling measures must be thoroughly implemented. Relevant information is as follows: 1. Changing the locomotive head: The railway system is managed in segments, so most equipment, including locomotives, is also segmented. Different sections are the responsibility of different locomotive depots and railway bureaus, each using their own locomotives and crew. When trains cross bureau boundaries, the locomotive head must be changed at the junction station. 2. Changing the crew: However, some express trains (such as certain express or direct trains, or the Z-series direct trains added during the Spring Festival travel season) need to minimize station dwell time and will directly change the locomotive crew at intermediate stations without changing the train.
Locomotive swapping, simply put, means changing the train engine, something I've seen frequently in railway work. After long-distance runs, parts on the locomotive wear out and are prone to malfunctions, so for safety, it's necessary to replace them promptly. The operation involves stopping at designated spots in the station, uncoupling the old locomotive, connecting the new one, and checking the stability of electrical and pneumatic systems. I've seen major stations like Beijing South Station with dedicated swapping zones, where dispatchers coordinate to minimize delays. This isn't just for maintenance—sometimes it's about switching locomotive types based on route needs, like using stronger climbers for mountainous routes or quieter electric ones for urban lines. With technological upgrades, automated equipment now speeds up the process, reducing human error and making railway operations more efficient and smoother, with less disruption to passenger journeys.
