Basic Knowledge About Indian Railways Locomotives

locomotive means a train engine who pull a train with goods or without goods, pessenger or other kinds of transport.

Locomotives in India are categorized based on their power or model number, track gauge, motive power, and the type of work they are used for. This locomotive information is included in the class name. It consists of four or five letters

The track gauge is indicated by the first letter. Their motor power (electric or diesel) is indicated by the second letter, and the type of traffic they are appropriate for (goods, passenger, mixed, or shunting) is indicated by the third letter.

Classification Structures

The first letter indicates Gauge.

1. W-Broad gauge
2. Y-Metre gauge
3. Z-Narrow gauge(2.5 ft)
4. N-Narrow gauge (2 ft)

The second letter indicates Motive power.

1. D-Diesel
2. C-DC electric
3. A-AC electric
4. CA-Both DC and AC, ‘CA’ is considered a single letter
5. B-Battery Electric (rare)

The third letter indicates Job type.

1. G-Goods
2. P-Passenger
3. M-Mixed; both goods and passenger
4. S-Shunters
5. U-Electric Multiple Units (used as commuters in city suburbs)
6. R-Railcars

For example, in “WAG12“:

• “W” means Broad gauge
• “A” means AC electric motive power
• “G” means suitable for goods service
• “12” means the locomotive’s power is 12000 hp.

A locomotive’s name may occasionally contain a fifth letter, which typically indicates a technical variation, subclass, or subtype. A slight change in the core model or series, possibly including different motors or a different manufacturer, is indicated by this fifth letter.

The fifth component in the new diesel locomotive classification scheme (discussed above) is a letter that further refines the horsepower indication in increments of 100 horsepower: ‘A’ for 100 horsepower, ‘B’ for 200 horsepower, ‘C’ for 300 horsepower, etc. Accordingly, a WDM-3A in this concept would be a loco with 3100 horsepower, and a WDM-3F would be one with 3600 horsepower.

Top 10 Locomotives In Indian Railways

WAG12 Locomotive

The 25 kV AC electric locomotives in the Indian Railways class WAG-12B were created by Alstom in 201

7. The model name is an acronym for 12th generation (12), broad gauge (W), alternating current (AC), and goods traffic (G) locomotive. In 2019, they went into trial service. At the electric locomotive factory in Madhepura, Bihar, India, 800 WAG-12B would be constructed in total.

They are the most powerful freight locomotives in the world, with a power output of 12,000 horsepower, which is twice as much as their direct predecessor, the WAG-9.

They are electric freight locomotives with three phases and two identical sections, each supported by two twin-axled Bo-Bo bogies. 

The locomotive is the first Indian Railways locomotive with a power output over 10,000 horsepower and is being built in collaboration with Alstom.

It is one of the most potent freight locomotives in the world, with a power output of 12,000 horsepower.

Locomotive WAG-9

The most strong freight locomotive in Indian Railways’ fleet is the WAG-9. The gear ratio, which makes it appropriate for heavy freight operations, is the only significant difference between it and the WAP-7. Complete IGBT traction control is a feature of later models, beginning with WAG-9 31248. WAG-9i is the name of the class. This class has a technical variation called WAG-9H. ‘H’ stands for Heavy. WAG-9Hi is another variation that appears to be a hybrid of the first two. 

Locomotive WAG-7

It is the 7th class of wide gauge (W) freight-dedicated (G-Goods) and AC-charged (A) locomotives. constructed in accordance with RDSO requirements by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works and BHEL, Jhansi. With a large capacity transformer, rectifier, traction motor, compressor, and other related equipment, the WAG7 is an upgraded version of the WAP-4B locomotive. The inaugural WAG-7 locomotive, named ‘SHANTIDAN’ in memory of Mother Teresa, was inaugurated on August 3, 1992.

Locomotive WAG-5

The Indian Railways’ second most popular locomotive is the WAG-5, which has been produced in 1197 units overall, including variations. The one using Alstom traction motors is WAG5A. A modified WAM4 is called WAG5B. The Hitachi traction motors are used in WAG5H(x). WAG5P(x) is a class specifically for passengers. Dual brakes are installed on WAG5(x)D, and air brakes are installed on WAG5(x)E. Both WAG5RH and WAG-5HR have either friction or rheostatic brakes installed. 

Locomotive WAP-7

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works created the WAP 7 locomotive by altering the gear ratio of the WAG 9 class. Today, Northern Railways (NR), / South Central Railways (SCR), Southern Railways (SR), Eastern Railways (ER), South East Central Railway (SECR), Central Railways (CR), Western Railway (WR), West Central Railways (WCR), East Coast Railway (ECoR), and South Eastern Railway (SER) make the most of it. It can transport trains at speeds of 110 to 140 km/h (68 to 87 mph). There are 360 locomotives operating as of August 2017. 

Locomotive WAP-5

Indian Railways manufactures and operates a class of high-speed electric locomotives known as WAP 5. In 1995, ABB in Switzerland imported the first ten locomotives. In the New Delhi-Agra Cantt segment, the Gatimaan Express and Bhopal Shatabdi trains, which are pulled by WAP-5 locomotives, go at 160 km/h (99 mph) and 150 km/h (93 mph), respectively.

Locomotive WAP-4

India uses a lot of WAP-4 passenger electric locomotives. The longer, heavier express trains (24–26 coaches) that were quickly taking over the Indian Railways network were too heavy for the previous class WAP-1 locomotive, therefore it was constructed. It had Hitachi traction motors and a bodyshell resembling that of the WAP-1 class when it was first released in 1994.

In The End…….

The Ministry of Railways presents a budget that is distinct from India’s overall budget due to historical considerations. In 1924, the practice began. Approximately 70% of the national budget at the time was allocated to the railways. Thus, keeping it separate made it easier to concentrate on the priorities of each budget. Less than 15% of the national budget is currently allocated to the railways. The Railway budget is still keenly anticipated as the yearly fare and tariff setting event, even though it can no longer be justified as a separate budget presentation.

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