What does the term 'cant' or 'superelevation' mean in railway engineering?
A
The slope of the railway line upward
B
The banking or tilting of the outer rail on curves to reduce centrifugal force
C
The thickness of the rail section
D
The distance between rail tracks
Correct Answer:
B. The banking or tilting of the outer rail on curves to reduce centrifugal force
Cant or superelevation is the banking of the outer rail on curves to counteract centrifugal force and allow trains to maintain higher speeds safely.
In a diesel-electric locomotive, what is the primary function of the 'traction motor'?
A
To generate electricity from the diesel engine
B
To convert electrical energy into mechanical motion for driving wheels
C
To compress air for brake systems
D
To regulate fuel supply to the engine
Correct Answer:
B. To convert electrical energy into mechanical motion for driving wheels
The traction motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy to drive the locomotive wheels through the transmission system.
What is the thickness of a standard Indian railway sleeper (tie)?
A
100-150 mm
B
200-250 mm
C
300-400 mm
D
500-600 mm
Correct Answer:
B. 200-250 mm
Standard Indian railway concrete sleepers are typically 200-250 mm thick to provide adequate support and distribution of train loads.
Which of the following best describes the function of 'creep' in railway tracks?
A
Longitudinal movement of rails due to stress and temperature changes
B
Vertical settling of the track over time
C
Lateral deviation of the track alignment
D
Rust formation on rail surfaces
Correct Answer:
A. Longitudinal movement of rails due to stress and temperature changes
Creep refers to the slow longitudinal movement of rails caused by train movements, thermal stress, and environmental factors.
What is the primary purpose of a 'screw coupling' in older Indian railway coaches?
A
To steer the train
B
To connect coaches together with manual screwing mechanism
C
To control brake pressure
D
To regulate water supply
Correct Answer:
B. To connect coaches together with manual screwing mechanism
Screw couplings were used in older Indian railways to manually connect coaches together, though they have been largely replaced by automatic couplers.
In railway signaling systems, what does a 'yellow signal' indicate?
A
Stop immediately
B
Proceed with caution, prepare to stop at the next signal
C
Clear to proceed at full speed
D
Speed restriction zone
Correct Answer:
B. Proceed with caution, prepare to stop at the next signal
A yellow signal indicates 'caution' - the driver should prepare to stop at the next signal as it may show 'stop' indication.
What is the maximum permissible speed for a train on a sharp curve with a radius of 400 meters in Indian Railways?
A
40 km/h
B
60 km/h
C
80 km/h
D
100 km/h
Correct Answer:
B. 60 km/h
For a curve radius of 400 meters, the maximum safe speed is approximately 60 km/h to prevent derailment due to centrifugal forces.
Which of the following is NOT a function of a railway diesel locomotive's fuel injection system?
A
To atomize diesel into fine particles
B
To inject fuel at precise timing
C
To regulate engine temperature
D
To ensure proper combustion
Correct Answer:
C. To regulate engine temperature
Regulating engine temperature is the function of the cooling system, not the fuel injection system. The fuel injection system focuses on fuel atomization and precise timing.
What is the standard distance between two consecutive railway stations classified as 'block sections'?
A
2-5 km
B
5-10 km
C
10-20 km
D
20-30 km
Correct Answer:
B. 5-10 km
Block sections in Indian Railways typically range from 5-10 km, which is the distance between consecutive signal posts for safety purposes.
In the 2024 Indian Railways modernization, what is the primary objective of the 'Gati Shakti' program?
A
To increase train speed exclusively
B
To develop integrated transport infrastructure for faster movement of goods and passengers
C
To reduce railway employee strength
D
To eliminate all narrow gauge lines
Correct Answer:
B. To develop integrated transport infrastructure for faster movement of goods and passengers
Gati Shakti is a national master plan to develop integrated multimodal infrastructure for economic growth and faster movement of goods and passengers.
