RAILWAY Minister Sheikh Rashid plans to make every effort to increase the number of freight trains to enhance revenue. How about increasing the length of the goods train instead of increasing the number of trains?

Unlike passenger trains, where the length of the train has to be less than the length of our railway stations, there is no such restriction for a goods train.

Logistically, it will be easier too. Less number of trains means more focus and attention on their timeliness, less openings and closing of manned railway crossings and less density on our tracks.

Americans use multiple engines with three times more bogies than those in Pakistan. They use up to six engines to drive heavy loads comprising of 80 long carriages. Their trains carry dangerous cargo too and since there are less train accidents compared to road accidents, chemical spills and fires are minimal too.

Chinese stack containers on top of containers with multiple engines. In Pakistan, multiple engines were used to drive trains to Quetta. Diesel engines from 2,500 HP and up to 6,000 HP are quite common.

The railway minister should consider buying these higher HP engines and double the tonnage of goods transportation by increasing the number of bogies and containers. The railway carriage factory can be operated round-the-clock to churn out more bogies or container carriages. A train reaches Lahore in 18 hours, while trucks typically take 72 hours.

By doing what the minister promises, Pakistan Railways can increase its goods transportation business.

N. Iqbal

Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2018