The objective behind the Operating Manual is to provide a ready handbook to officers and staff involved in train operations. The Manual contains a broad framework of guidelines, which cover various aspects of train operations, and an effort has been made to standardise the diverse operating practices over IR.

New areas covered in the Manual include changes in train operations brought about by IT, 'Non-Interlocked working', 'Derailment Investigations' and 'Command Control and Coordination of Emergency Rescue Operations'. It is hoped that the inclusion of the latter shall sensitise staff in matters on which texts are not available. However, instructions and guidelines contained in the Manual do not in any way supersede or replace the G&SR or other instructions at Zonal and Divisional levels.

I am extremely thankful to Shri Govind Ballabh, IRTS (retd.), for his painstaking effort without which this Operating Manual would not have been possible. I am also thankful to Shri Vinay Mittal, COM/CR, Shri V.K.Roy, COM/NR and Shri S. Jayanth, COM/SR for their valuable suggestions.

I hope all officials involved with train operations will find this Manual useful in their day to day working.