Freight trains without guard or brake vans are likely to become a common sight over the next couple of years on the Indian Railways network.
The Railway Board, in November 2020, approved in principle equipping all freight trains with EoTT (End on Train Telemetry) devices. EoTT devices will replace the standard guard/brake van at the end of every goods rake. Deployment of EoTT devices eliminates the need for a guard to be posted at the rear of every freight train.
EoTT devices will enable better utilization of rake length. Since the EoTT device will replace the guard and brake van, an additional payload-carrying wagon can be attached within the same rake length. As a result, IR saves staff costs while earning more freight revenue from the same train.
An EoTT set consists of a Cab Unit also called Communication Display Unit or Head of Train Unit and a Rear Unit, also called Sense and Brake Unit or End of Train Unit. The Rear Unit is attached to the rear coupler of the last wagon of a rake.
EoTT Functionality
The Cab Unit and Rear Unit communicate over a radio link enabling two-way transmission of status data and instructions for the Rear Unit.
Functional requirements for EoTT device as prescribed by RDSO
- Display of Brake Pipe pressure in the locomotive cab
- Application of brakes remotely by Rear Unit on the Last Vehicle
- Monitor train integrity and identify train parting events
- Broadcasting location of RU in case of parting so that it can be detected by other trains
- Indicating passage of the complete train over a spot
- GPS tracking with an accuracy of 10 metres or better and transmission over mobile networks to an India based server.
- Warning light at the rear of the train
The system is to be designed for deployment on trains upto 200 wagons or 2.5 km in length at a maximum speed of 120 kmph.
The CU and RU is to be designed to communicate over a radio link of between 400-450 Mhz at a max power output of 10 watts. For stretches like tunnels that may hinder radio links, Indian Railways will ensure seamless functioning through the use of leaky cable installations along the track.
EoTT Procurement and Deployment Plan for Indian Railways
The Ministry of Railways sanctioned procurement of 1,000 units in 2016-17. 10 units were procured for Proof of Concept Trials in June 2019. PoC trials were expected to be complete by July 2020. However, COVID-19 related disruptions meant that the deadline was pushed back to September 2020. Trials are now expected to be complete by March 2021.
East Coast Railway successfully conducted trials of EoTT devices on the Talcher-Paradeep section in December 2020.
Stage 1 Deployment
Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) was designated the nodal agency for procurement of a total of 990 units. BLW has issued purchase orders for 250 units that are part of the Stage 1 rollout. These sets are likely to be commissioned by November 2021.
Allocation of Stage 1 sets in among zones
| Zone | Units | Sheds |
| ECR | 70 | Gomoh and Mughalsarai / Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jn sheds |
| ECoR | 35 | |
| NCR | 40 | Kanpur shed |
| SCR | 30 | |
| SER | 35 | |
| WCR | 40 | Tughlakabad shed |
Stage 2 Deployment
For Stage 2 of deployment, BLW will start the process to procure the remaining 740 units by March 2021. Learnings from the PoC trials are to be used to modify requirements if needed. The Railway Board wants Stage 2 units to be commissioned within three years.
Locomotive manufacturing factories like CLW and BLW will be able to directly procure units when EoTT units become standard fitment in freight locos. IR wants to implement this by December 2021.
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