Indian locomotive class WDG-4
The EMD GT46MAC is a freight-hauling diesel-electric locomotive with AC electric transmission designed by General Motors Electro-Motive Diesel[1] in 1997–1998 for Indian Railways, where they are classed as WDG-4.[2] Thirteen were built by EMD as order #958647, and a further eight were exported in kit form and assembled in India. The class entered service in 1999.[3]
EMD GT46MAC(4000hp)/ GT46ACe(4500hp) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WDG4: 12029 in January 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Further construction has been under license in India by the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW); more than 60 additional locomotives have been built as of 2006.[2] They are numbered from #12001 upward. A similar type, the EMD GT46PAC, has also been produced for passenger service in India.
As of 2007, EMD and DLW have begun building GT46Ace's using IGBT technology to replace the older gate turn-off thyristor technology. Newer editions with 4,500 hp (3,400 kW) have been produced. Over 1,000 WDG-4 locomotives are currently in operation. Also WDG 4's newer version and dual cab locomotive WDG 4D are better to drive and it has more power.
History
WDG4: first started operations in 1999 with the numbering starting from 12001 (this loco can still be seen in a splendid condition and is homed at the parent shed of Hubli) Hubli Diesel Locomotive Shed has been operational since 1999, and it houses the maximum number of WDG-4s from 12001-12064, 12067-12153, 12156, 12169, 12189, 12227, 12276, 12311–12313, 12325, 12326. The original WDG-4s from 12001–12021 were imported and later on DLW started manufacturing it indigenously. With six traction motors, this locomotive has the capability of touching 105 km/h (65 mph) with a fully loaded freight train of 58 wagons. The locomotive has been praised for its ability to work smoothly in regions with massive gradients, especially in the (Braganza Ghats) and the Subrahmanya ghats having a gradient of 1:37 and 1:50 respectively.
Locomotive sheds
Zone | Name | Shed Code | Quantity |
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Central Railway | Pune | PA | 90 |
Kalyan | KYN | 23 | |
Eastern Railway | Andal | UDL | 46 |
Jamalpur | JMP | 16 | |
East Central Railway | Patratu | PTRU | 89 |
East Coast Railway | Visakhapatnam | VSKP | 121 |
Northern Railway | Tughlakabad | TKD | 15 |
Ludhiana | LDH | 23 | |
Lucknow | LKO | 60 | |
North Central Railway | Jhansi | JHS | 18 |
North Eastern Railway | Gonda | GD | 22 |
Izzatnagar | IZN | 47 | |
Northeast Frontier Railway | New Guwahati | NGC | 30 |
Siliguri | SGUJ | 132 | |
North Western Railway | Bhagat Ki Kothi | BGKT | 97 |
Abu Road | ABR | 49 | |
Southern Railway | Erode | ED | 8 |
Golden Rock | GOC | 27 | |
South Central Railway | Kazipet | KZJ | 96 |
Gooty | GY | 120 | |
South Eastern Railway | Bondamunda | BNDM | 95 |
South East Central Railway | Raipur | R | 118 |
South Western Railway | Krishnarajapuram | KJM | 14 |
Hubli | UBL | 147 | |
Western Railway | Sabarmati | SBT | 175 |
West Central Railway | Itarsi | ET | 3 |
New Katni Junction | KTE | 68 | |
Total Locomotives Active as of 01-08-2020[4] | 1749 |
Conversion to electric traction
In November 2018, Diesel Locomotive Works , Research Design and Standards Organisation designed and produced a new twin section 12,000HP (8,950 kW) electric locomotive.It has been converted from WDG-4 class diesel locomotive to a new class of Electric locomotive WAG-11.Only 3 units has been produced till now and all are in trials with RDSO.Sheds are yet to be given.
See also
References
- "GM EMD: GT46MAC". Archived from the original on 2004-03-03. Retrieved 2006-11-19.
- "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Diesel Locomotive Classes – Broad Gauge". Retrieved 2006-11-19.
- "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: IR History, Part 6". Retrieved 2006-11-19.
- "Railway Website Mechanical Department". Retrieved 16 May 2020.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD GT46MAC locomotives. |