Indian locomotive class YCG-1 explained

Indian locomotive class YCG-1
Powertype:Electric
Designer:English Electric
Builder:English Electric
Hawthorn Leslie
Builddate:1930
Totalproduction:4
Aarwheels:B-B
Uicclass:Bo′Bo′
Britishclass:Bo-Bo
Length:9.75m (31.99feet)
Locoweight:43t
Electricsystem:1.5 kV DC Overhead
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Multipleworking:Not possible
Maxspeed:65km/h
Poweroutput:640hp
Operator:South Indian Railway
Indian Railways
Operatorclass:YCG-1
Fleetnumbers:21900-21903
Locale:Chennai
Deliverydate:1930
Firstrundate:1930
Lastrundate:1965
Withdrawndate:1965
Preservedunits:1
Scrapdate:1965
Currentowner:National Rail Museum
Disposition:One preserved, remainder scrapped.
Notes:Some information is sourced from [1] .

The YCG-1 was a class of electric locomotives built in the 1930s for use on the metre-gauge electrified lines in the Chennai area. The name stands for (Y)metre gauge, (C)DC electric, (G)goods. With the conversion of the lines to 25 kv AC, all were withdrawn. One is preserved at National Rail Museum in New Delhi.[2]

History

These were used in Chennai with 1,5 kV DC overhead wires. Goods locos used on the early DC electrified network of the South Indian Railway, and were later withdrawn when the succeding Southern Railway switched to AC traction. The YCG-1 had a provision for coupling to 'ET' class 4-wheeled battery tenders to allow operating on unelectrified sidings, loop lines, etc.[3] These locos had a roughly rectangular, box-like body with a cab at either end, with a short platform extending from each cab. The cabs each had a door opening on to the platform, and a window (on the right) at the ends. The two bogies had interconnecting linkages to allow easier negotiation of sharp curves. Two 'diamond' style pantographs for current collection. There were only four of these locos; one is now preserved at the NRM (#21900).[4]

Locomotive shed

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: YCG-1 Electric Locomotive. trainspo.com. Trainspo. August 7, 2024.
  2. Web site: Indian Railways YCG-1 class at Delhi, India. railpictures.net. RailPictures. August 7, 2024.
  3. Web site: Meter Gauges. trainweb.org. National Railway Museum. August 7, 2024.
  4. Web site: Exhibits at the National Railway Museum. irfca.org. IFRCA. August 7, 2024.