RRB ALP Heat Engine Syllabus Explained (with Marks & Topic Breakdown) – Complete Guide with Topic Weightage and Important Areas

The RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) Heat Engine syllabus is one of the most important sections for candidates preparing for the CBT-2 Relevant Trade Paper. This guide breaks down all topics, marks distribution, topic weightage, and strategic insights to help you prepare smart and score high!

Whether you are a beginner or revising for the final stretch, this article provides an in-depth look into the syllabus so you know exactly what to study and how much importance to give each topic.

 1. RRB ALP Exam Overview (Quick Recap)

Before we dive into the Heat Engine section, here’s how the ALP selection process is structured:

CBT-2 Part B (Relevant Trade) includes the Heat Engine syllabus — crucial for mechanical and automobile trade students.

 2. Heat Engine Relevant Trade – Marks & Topic Breakdown

Here is the detailed marks distribution for Heat Engine topics (based on the most credible syllabus resources available):

This distribution gives a clear idea where most marks will come from — particularly the Internal Combustion Engine, which alone carries around ~27% of total marks.

 3. Heat Engine Syllabus – Topic Details & Concepts

Internal Combustion Engine (20 Marks)

This is the core topic in Heat Engine. You must cover:

• Introduction, parts, and functions

• Two-stroke and four-stroke cycle engines

• Sequence of operations in an engine cycle

• Advantages & disadvantages of two-stroke vs four-stroke

• Valve timing diagrams (Petrol & Diesel engines)

• Comparison: Petrol vs Diesel engines

• Materials used in gaskets & packings

• Engine starting, running & stopping precautions

Focus Area: Mechanisms and differences between petrol and diesel engines are high-yield subtopics.

Hand Forging (8 Marks)

• Fundamental forging operations

• Forge tools & dies

• Temperature control in forging

• Safety procedures in forging

Basic Fitting (10 Marks)

• Types of fit and tolerance

• Marking, sawing, filing

• Chisels, hacksaws

• Surface finishing basics

Welding (10 Marks)

• Types of welding processes

• Arc welding principles

• Safety in welding operations

• Welding defects & remedies

Sheet Metal Work (10 Marks)

• Bending, shearing, and cutting operations

• Tools used in sheet metal

• Joints and seams

• Development of surfaces

Measurement (5 Marks)

• Measurement tools (vernier, micrometer, gauges)

• Precision & accuracy

• Linear and angular measurement

• Error calculations

Basic Electricity (7 Marks)

• Ohm’s law

• Series & parallel circuits

• Conductors & insulators

• Power and energy calculations

• Simple electrical diagrams

Transmission System (5 Marks)

• Clutch types and working

• Gearbox basics

• Final drive and differential

• Power transmission in vehicles

 4. Preparation Strategy – What to Focus On

High Priority Topics

• Internal Combustion Engines

• Welding & Fitting basics

• Basic Electricity principles

Moderate Priority

• Sheet metal & forging

• Measurement tools

Study Tips

• Start with conceptual clarity of engines and fuel cycles.

• Use diagrams for IC engine parts & valve timing — visuals help retention.

• Solve previous year questions related to heat engines.

• Practice full length mock tests.

 5. Reference Books & Resources (Quick List)

Although specific official heat engine books are not released by RRB, you can refer to:

• Basic Engineering Trade Manuals

• Mechanical Engineering basic textbooks

• ITI Mechanical or Automobile books

• Online video lectures for practical demos

• Mock tests focused on Heat Engine portion

 6. Top FAQs 

Q1. What is the RRB ALP Heat Engine syllabus?
The Heat Engine section covers Internal Combustion Engines, Fitting, Forging, Welding, Measurement, Basic Electricity, Sheet Metal Work, and Transmission systems with a combined total of around 75 marks in CBT-2.

Q2. How many marks does the Internal Combustion Engine topic carry?
It typically carries about 20 marks, making it the most important sub-topic.

Q3. Is the Heat Engine paper objective or subjective?
It is objective (MCQ) and part of the CBT-2 Relevant Trade Paper.

Q4. How should I prepare for the Heat Engine section?
Focus on concepts, diagrams, and real applications, solve mock papers, and revise high-weightage areas multiple times.

Conclusion – Your Roadmap to Success

The RRB ALP Heat Engine syllabus is comprehensive but systematic. With the correct topic weightage knowledge and study strategy, you can target high-score areas and improve performance drastically.

Start with Internal Combustion Engines, build fundamentals in welding, fitting and measurement, and strengthen your basics in electricity and transmissions.