Indian locomotive class WDS-8

The Indian locomotive class WDS-8 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1979 Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways but went to private sector. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Shunter (S) engine, 8th generation (8). They entered service in 1979. A total of 5 WDS-8 was built at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), Varanasi between 1979 and 1982.

Indian locomotive class WDS-8
A brand new WDS-8 at CLW
Type and origin Power type Diesel Builder CLW Build date 1979-1982 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in) Wheelbase 10.834 m (35 ft 6 ^1⁄2 in) Width 2.764 m (9 ft ^7⁄8 in) Height 4.195 m (13 ft 9 ^1⁄8 in) Loco weight 73,000 kg (161,000 lb) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 1,000 L (220 imp gal; 260 US gal) Lubricant cap. 530 L (120 imp gal; 140 US gal), 630 L (140 imp gal; 170 US gal) DLW Water cap 20 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal), 28 L (6.2 imp gal; 7.4 US gal) DLW Prime mover MAK 800hp diesel engine Engine type Inline-6 diesel Aspiration Turbo-supercharged Generator DC Traction motors 6 DC Cylinders 6 Transmission Diesel-electric transmission MU working 2 Loco brake Air, Vacuum Train brakes Vacuum , Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 35 km/h (22 mph) Power output Max:800 hp (600 kW) Site rated:700 hp (520 kW) Tractive effort 22,000 t (21,653 long tons; 24,251 short tons) maximum 16.050 t (16 long tons; 18 short tons) continuous
Career Operators Steel Authority of India Locale Leased and sold to some industrial concerns First run 1972 Current owner Steel Authority of India Disposition withdrawn

All WDS-8 units were exported to Steel Authority of India. As of January 2020, the locomotives are withdrawn from service.

History

The history of WDS-8 begins in early 1970s with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of the previous WDS-4 classes and remove steam locomotives from IR by a target date of 1990. The WDS8 was a competing bid from CLW to Diesel Locomotive Works WDS-6 class in the industrial private sector.[1] The WDS-8 had MAK 800hp diesel engine which was similar to engine used in the newly upgraded YDM-1 class.They had Short cabs with a single long narrow hood. But it was under under-powered compared to the WDS-6 class.[2]

CLW decided not to produce any more units after these 5 units and they were transferred them to Steel Authority of India (SAIL).[3]

None of the locomotives of this class are in service.

See also

• History of rail transport in India
• Locomotives of India
• Rail transport in India

References

Notes

1. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Diesel and Electric Locomotive Specifications". www.irfca.org. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
2. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : AC Electric". www.irfca.org. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
3. "[IRFCA] Indian / South-Asian Industrial Locos : Builders: Chittaranjan Locomotive Works". www.irfca.org. Retrieved May 22, 2020.

Bibliography

• Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.