Railway coach bathroom are a pain area, well recognized, a lot done, but not much final improvement visible.
A serious attempt is required to remedy the condition.
The flushing cock valves ONE of the items contributing to this problem. These get broken, stolen, or leaky and affect the bathroom condition. I am not ashamed to claim that 70% of the coaches maintained by me have no flushing cocks. The problem has been well tackled and solved by MANY, as I learn now. However, not everyone knows of it, ATLEAST I didn’t.
CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION
Have different kinds of flushing valves for different kinds of passengers.
Have brass valves for AC coaches, have cast iron valves for GS coaches, and where theft is too serious an issue use PVC flushing cocks. Better polymer options can also exist and need to be explored.
DETAILS
Conventional FLUSHING VALVES
ICF Drawing ICF/SK-6-3-425 Alt M-7 Col III
PL NO (NR) 36430250(Brass)
Cost Rs 337/-
PL No (ECOR) 30637120(Brass)
Get stolen during first trip from coaches. Have a nice look.
CAST IRON FLUSHING VALVES
ICF/SK-6-3-425 Alt M-7 Col III
30636267(CI)
Rs 182.98.
Do not look very good, Use metal springs which rust. Can be repaired.
PVC Flushing Cock
Rs 56/- approx
RCF Interface Drawing /WR/ADI Drawing
They break, cannot be used multiple times, and often leak.
RECOMMENDED SOLUTION
1. Both ICF, RCF, and all POH shops should ensure that brass valves are not used in any GS /GSCN coaches. Let the depots put more expensive stuff to improve passenger amenities if they can support it. Or, shops ask the concerned division what kind of valves they want to be used.
2. These valves should have stainless steel springs and Teflon washers.
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