Railway Knowledge: Do you know what 'X' or 'LV' on the last coach of a train means? No? Find out right now..

More than 25 million passengers travel by train daily. While traveling, you have likely noticed a large ‘X’ or ‘LV’ marked on the rear of the last coach. Most people overlook it, but few realize it is directly linked to train safety. Let’s understand what it signifies.
According to Indian Railways, every marking on the coaches serves a specific purpose, whether related to passenger safety or convenience. These markings convey information to station masters, guards, and railway staff, helping to prevent accidents.

Let’s understand the meaning of ‘X’

The ‘X’ marked on the last coach indicates that it is the final coach of the train. When a train passes a station, crossing, or signal, railway staff observe this mark to confirm that the entire train has passed and no coach has been left behind. If this mark is not visible, the staff immediately informs the authorities.

The ‘LV’ board is also significant.

Often, ‘LV’ is also written alongside the ‘X’ on the last coach. It stands for "Last Vehicle." This also indicates that it is the train's final coach. This board is easily visible during the day, allowing railway staff to confirm that the entire length of the train has passed.

Why is a red light used at night?

The ‘X’ mark is not clearly visible at night or in foggy conditions. Therefore, a red light is installed on the last coach. This makes it visible from a distance, indicating that the train's last coach has passed. This assists railway personnel stationed at stations and signal points.

Radium paint enhances safety

The ‘X’ mark is not created with ordinary paint but with reflective or radium paint. This ensures it remains easily visible at night, in the rain, or in dense fog. Even in adverse weather, staff can identify the last coach, ensuring safe train operations.

Is this the practice worldwide? The method of identifying the last coach of a train varies from country to country. In countries like the United States and Canada, an Electronic End-of-Train Device (EOTD) or Flashing Rear End Device (FRED) is used to transmit information regarding the train's braking system and the last coach to the engine. Meanwhile, in many European countries, modern signaling systems and axle counter technology confirm the passage of the entire train.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.