What is the Meaning of Cross Symbol on Trains? Know the Details
Have you ever wondered why is there an ‘X’ sign on the back of trains in Indian Railways? Were you searching for the meaning of X written on trains? You have come to the right place. We will tell you about the meaning of the X symbol on the last bogey.
The letter ‘X’ denotes that that is the train’s last car. On the train’s last coach this symbol ‘X’ is marked with Radium paint. The guard also hangs the ‘LV’ board on the rear coach or wagon on the backside. The train that has stabled on an LV board platform must be clear to the other trains. This ‘X’ labels on the last vehicle and avoids train collision if something goes wrong (wrong signaling or wrong point). It is one of the most interesting and lesser-known facts about Indian Railways.
This symbol X notifies all staff members that all of the train compartments are connected to themselves. If there is no sign of X behind the last coach, the train will have some emergency or it will be in an emergency. Also if after the train coach comes in an emergency you don’t get LV (last vehicle).
This Yellow ‘X’ denotes ‘LV’ i.e. Last Vehicle.
What is the meaning of X behind the train? This mark is always present on the last coach or vehicle of the train to ensure that the whole Rake has passed.
Without this the Station Staff takes all the emergency measures in order to ensure the safety of the detached train and also to avoid a collision. At night there is continuous lighting red lamp with a blinking red lamp on the right-hand side.
This often makes a driver mindful of a train that stands in front of him to prevent an accident.
In order to indicate to the staff concerned, a tailboard (usually cross X marked) or tail lamp (last vehicle indicator) in the rear of the train shall distinguish the train ‘s complete arrival to the station section with the last vehicle intact. It may have the following forms:
During the day, an approved design tailboard or a red painted tail lamp may be unlit. Only the radium-painted ‘X’ symbol is sufficient.
During the night, as well as thick, foggy or tempestuous weather impairing visibility during the day, a red tail lamp of the approved design shall be lit. Such a device may be authorized by special instruction issued by competent railway servant.
In case of emergency, a red flag may be used in place of tailboard or unlit tail lamp with proper authorization from Divisional Operational Manager or Divisional Safety Officer only under special instructions.
Throughout the daytime with EMU train, the last vehicle will show a red cross (X) against the white background at the bottom right corner. At night as well as a dark, foggy, or stormy condition, a red light is seen at the tail end as well as a red cross.
If you were wondering why Indian Railways choose letter X behind the trains, then here is the simple answer. There is no specific reason for choosing X. It is simply a cross-mark, not an alphabetic letter X. Compared to other English letters ‘X’ sign can be seen from a larger distance.X has always represented that something ends here, which is why X uses us better than any other symbol/mark.
Recommended Read: International Train Routes in India: All You Need to Know