Indian locomotive class WDG-6G explained

WDG-6G
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Designer:GE Transportation India, Bengaluru
Builder:GE Transportation, Erie, Pennsylvania, Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowrah
Buildmodel:ES57ACi
Builddate:2019 - present
Totalproduction:129 as of July 2024
Britishclass:Co-Co
Gauge:Broad Gauge
Bogies:Co-Co Fabricated Bogie
Wheeldiameter:New: 1092mmCondemned: 1016mm
Minimumcurve:174m (571feet) radius
Wheelbase:1900mm
Pivotcentres:14224mm
Over Couplers:22313mm
Width:3200mm
Height:4227mm
Axleload:23t
Locoweight:138000kg (304,000lb)
Fueltype:Diesel
Fuelcap:8300L
Lubecap:1300L
Coolantcap:1468L
Sandcap:170L
Primemover:GE GEVO-16
Rpmrange Max:1050 rpm
Enginetype:V16 Diesel engine, 4-stroke engine
Aspiration:turbocharged
Displacement:15.7L per cylinder
Alternator:5GDY131B
Cylindercount:16
Cylindersize:250x
Transmission:diesel electric
Tractionmotors:5GEB32B5 AC traction motors
Coupling:CBC AAR Type-E
Maxspeed:100km/h
Poweroutput:6000hp
Tractiveeffort:578kN (Maximum)
T/E Starting:570kN
Gear Ratio:85:16
Multipleworking:Yes, AAR Type
Locobrakes:Air, Dynamic Brake
Trainbrakes:Air
Compressorcap:178 CFM @ 145 psig
T/E Continuous:420kN
Locobrakeforce:290kN
Operator:Indian Railways
Fleetnumbers:69001+
Nicknames:ANGAD
Locale:Roza (Uttar Pradesh),
Gandhidham (Gujarat),
Gooty (Andhra Pradesh)
Disposition:Active

The Indian locomotive class WDG-6G (GE ES57ACi)[1] is a class of diesel-electric locomotive used by the Indian Railways for freight duty. The locomotive is a higher power variant of the WDG-4G locomotive which was also designed by General Electric. The design platform is based on the GE Evolution Series and features a 4-stroke 16-cylinder fully turbocharged engine which delivers around 6,000 horsepower (4,500 kW), making it the most powerful diesel locomotive of IR (second-most being the WDG-5 aka EMD GT50AC).[2] It is the only 6,000 HP Diesel electric locomotive at 23t/axle weight, making it the lightest locomotive in its category in the world.

Import and manufacture

Two units were produced by Wabtec's plant in Pennsylvania, United States, and delivered to India in 2019.[3] Initially, a few will be made in USA. Under the 'Make in India' initiative of Indian Government, GE will manufacture all remaining units at its factory in Marhowra, Bihar. GE has also built maintenance sheds at Roza in UP and Gandhidham in Gujarat.

Field trials

The first two locomotives in the series, 69001 and 69002, were recently sent to South Central Railways' Maula Ali (MLY) Diesel Locomotive Shed. The locos underwent Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials on the Vikarabad – Parli section of South Central Railway[4] and were approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation for further field trials on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by Roza Locomotive Shed.

Locomotive sheds

Zone Name Shed code Quantity
ROZA 25
Western RailwayGandhidhamGIMB37
South Central RailwayGootyGY71
Total Locomotives Active as of August 2024 [5] 133

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ES57ACi Locomotive . 2023-03-08 . Wabtec Corporation . en.
  2. News: Soon, "most powerful" WDG-6G diesel locomotive from GE to debut on Indian Railways tracks . 1 July 2020 . financialexpress.com . 20 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190629091504/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/soon-most-powerful-wdg-6g-diesel-locomotive-from-ge-to-debut-on-indian-railways-tracks/1613276/ . 29 June 2019.
  3. Web site: Bureau . Our . 2019-06-18 . Railways to induct country's most powerful diesel locomotive soon . 2024-05-23 . BusinessLine . en.
  4. News: 2019-06-18 . First GE locomotive to be tested on SCR tracks . 2024-05-23 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  5. Web site: Railway Website Mechanical Department. 6 August 2022.