'Operating Manual for Indian Railways' was issued in the year 2008 with an objective to provide a ready handbook to officers and staff involved in train operations. Railway Board has advised Zonal Railways for preparing Operating Manuals for their Railway Zone.

Preparation of 'Operating Manual for South Central Railway' started in the year 2015 by a team of Instructors of ZRTI, Moula ali. This effort was carried forward in Zonal Headquarters enriching the content with instructions and letters issued by Railway Board. The Manual has attained its present form by incorporating various inputs given by many Instructors of ZRTI, supervisors and officers of SCR.

The Manual is an attempt to bring about an understanding of various facets of train operations currently in vogue. The focus has been kept on the basics rather than in detail, thus making it a concise book of knowledge for staff involved in train operations as well as other readers who seek such knowledge. The instructions and guidelines contained in this manual, do not in any way supersede or replace the G&SR or other instructions issued at Railway Board, Zonal and Divisional levels.

In the absence of such a Manual, many procedural instructions have got incorporated as Subsidiary Rules in G&SR. As and when the Manual gets established as an official document over a period of time, and finds its place, it is expected that detailed procedures of many aspects of train operations will be added to the manual in its future versions.

I hope that the Operating Manual prepared by South Central Railway will enrich the knowledge of Operating Staff in their day to day working and also will work as guide for future entrants into Operating department.