Motormen may get sneak peek at metro coaches

To make its current and future fleet of local trains motormen-friendly, the Mumbai suburban rail network that first chugged more than a 100 years ago, will now be taking a cue from the ongoing Metro rail project that is still in its nascent stage. To do so, the railway authorities are keen on letting its senior suburban motormen take a look at the newly arrived Metro rail coaches that are currently stabled at the Versova car shed.


Train-ing Wheels: The Railways and MRVC have asked motormen for
their views and suggestions, which if found feasible, will be merged in
the designs of the driving cabs across local trains. Representation pic

If this happens, then these motormen would be the first few to review the much-awaited Metro rail plying on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) corridor. Sources from within the railways said that the step has been taken to incorporate views of the motormen before the 72 new trains manufactured by Bombardier under the phase II of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) are pressed into action. "This is an idea that we are looking at," confirmed a railway official.

The railways and Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) have asked for views and suggestions from these motormen.u00a0 After a detailed study, their suggestions will be merged in the designs of the driving cabs across local trains. It's been a while since the motormen have put forth several work-related demands before the railway officials, including an air-conditioned driving cab.

A motorman, requesting anonymity, said, "After all, we are the ones driving the trains. We would have a fair idea on what could be presented as a part of the suggestions asked by MRVC. This would be for the new violet-white Siemens rake."



Metro trains
In December 2011, a couple of trains for the phase I of Metro rail arrived in the city and are stabled at Versova car shed. A total of 18 trains of four cars each with a carrying capacity of over 1,500 passengers have been ordered in phase I. Delivery of the remaining trains is expected by mid-2012.

Motormen's demands
>> The windscreen should be smaller as they face problem when sunrays directly fall on them,u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
u00a0u00a0u00a0 blinding them temporarily
>> Seats should be soft and manoeuvrable
>> Train operations need to be simpler
>> An air-conditioned driving cab
>> Viper should fall from the top