As Western Railway celebrated its 69th Foundation Day on 5th November, 2019, various Mumbai media persons witnessed modern technological progress and its implementation for smooth operation of W.Rly’s Mumbai local trains, during a Media Tour to EMU Carshed at Virar, on 4th November, 2019.
According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar ‘¸ Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, this Media Tour was planned by Western Railway on the glorious occasion of its 69th Foundation Day, in which various representatives of print & electronic media participated with great fervour and enthusiasm. During the media tour, all the visiting journalists were briefed about various technical and other aspects of Virar EMU Carshed, by Shri Kuldeep Jain – Chief Electrical Engineer (Rolling Stock) & Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of W.Rly and Shri Vijay Khatwa – Sr. Divisional Electrical Engineer (Rolling Stock) of Virar EMU Carshed. After initial assembly at Carshed’s Board Room, a brief about Carshed alongwith Power Point presentation and video was displayed. Then media persons visited Simulator Training Plan, were they got practical demonstration of Simulator. They also visited Automatic Washing Plant, Manual Washing Machine, 3 Tier Examination System & Bogie Dropping Table in the Carshed.
Overview: Western Railway has three EMU Carsheds at Mumbai Central, Kandivali&Virar which are dedicated for round the clock maintenance of “Lifeline of Mumbai” known as Mumbai Suburban trains. Mumbai Central, Carshed was started functioning in 1928 and Kandivali Carshed in 1984, whereas Virar Carshed which is newly constructed by Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) and started functioning since 2012 has the infrastructure of the state of art technology. Currently there are total 112 EMU rakes which are maintained at all the three carsheds.
During the maintenance of EMU rakes all steps are taken to ensure the safety and reliability of EMU rakes for punctual and safe running of Suburban trains. In addition to these Carsheds, there are 06 Stabling Yards where these EMU Rakes are stabled during Night. Safety checks, Brake testing, Complete Testing of rake etc. are carried out during Night Stabling inspection by the deputed Line Staff during night stabling.POH of these EMU rakes are carried in Mahalaxmi workshop.
History: EMU Carshed, Virar started functioning in the Year-2012. Various major milestones achieved by the Carshed since its foundation are as under:-
| Stabling of EMU Rakes | 27.03.2012 |
| Commencement of Trip inspection | 13.09.2012 |
| Commencement of Washing of rake | 16.01.2013 |
| Starting of IA inspection Schedule | 03.04.2013 |
| Starting of IC inspection schedule | 10.11.2014 |
| Staff canteen made functional | 19.12.2014 |
| Utilization and Commissioning of Bogie Drop Table | 11.08.2015 |
| Shifting of Electrical Training Centre from MX to VR Carshed. | 10.01.2015 |
| Inauguration of 1st EMU Simulator | 20.08.2018 |
Activities: At present 20 EMU Rakes are being maintained at EMU Carshed, Virar on daily basis. Out of 20, 15 Rakes are received at Night and 05 Rakes at Day Shift. All Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities of EMU Rakes such as IC (240 days), IA (60 days), TI (15 days), One day inspection, Ultra sonic testing of wheels, Train Washing , Replacement of defective items, special attention of Passenger amenities such as Light ,Fan, PIS system , Furnishing items etc. are carried at EMU Carshed, Virar on regular basis. Special attention is also provided to ensure the safety and reliability of Suburban Rakes by launching various safety and cyclic drives.
Infrastructure: Infrastructure of newly constructed EMU Carshed comprises of state of the art technologies to facilitate smooth maintenance of EMU Rakes. EMU Carshed Virar has all the modern facilities to satisfy the requirements of maintenance including CNC based Under Floor Wheel Lathe for Wheel Re-profiling; first of its kind PLC based Bogie Drop Table for fast bogie removing where replacement/attention of under gear equipment is undertaken effortlessly by the maintenance staff.
EMU carshed, Virar has Three Tier Inspection Shed which is first of its type in Indian railway. Its elevated design of track provides the staff to carry out the under gear inspection more efficiently as staff is not required to lean or bend, thereby ensuring smooth maintenance of EMU Rakes.The carshed has a PLC based Automatic Train Washing Plant which is absolutely utilized for exteriors washing of EMU rakes. The plant gets automatically started as soon as it detects the rake through the sensors which are provided at starting of plant. Washing 5-6 EMU rakes are carried out at Automatic Train Washing Plant on daily basis. 1st ever EMU Simulator in Indian Railways for Train Simulation training of the Running Staff is installed at EMU carshed, virar in year 2018. It provides a virtual effect of EMU train driving with the similar visualization of track, signal, stations and various sounds. The carshed has a fully functional Electrical Training Center for training of Railway Personnel from EMU and other Electrical Departments. Various types of Refresher, Initial, Specialized, Short term, Promotional training courses of Electrical department are imparted at ETC / VR. Total 2769 Nos. of trainees are already trained at ETC VR in the current year. A modern fully fledged Staff Canteen with seating capacity of 152 staff is available at the Carshed premises for refreshment of employees working in the Shed. A Running room comprising of 13 rooms having 27 beds, 2 kitchens and dining space is located near the staff canteen for the comfort of the Running crew deputed for Train working at the Carshed.