Indian locomotive class WDG-6G

WDG-6G 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.[1]

WDG-6G Diesel Locomotive
WDG-6G: 69001 at MLY Loco Shed (Pic by Railpost.in)
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Electric Transportation
ModelGE ES58ACi
Build date(GE) 2019
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo-Co, Co'Co'
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
TrucksHTSC
Fuel typeDiesel fuel
Fuel capacity1,600 US gal (1,300 imp gal; 6,100 L)
Engine typefour-stroke V16 diesel
Aspirationturbocharged
Traction motors1 inverter per truck, AC traction motors
Transmissiondiesel electric
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed40 mph (64 km/h)
Power output6,000 hp (4,470 kW)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers69001+

Import and manufacture

Two units were produced by General Electric (now Wabtec) plant in Pennsylvania, United States, and delivered to India in 2019.[2] Initially, a few will be made in the 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 locos in the series, 69001 and 69002, were recently sent to South Central Railways's Maula Ali (MLY) Diesel Locomotive Shed. The locos underwent Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials on the Vikarabad – Parli section of South Central Railway [3] and were approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation for further field trials on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by Roza Locomotive Shed.

Key specifications
  • The WDG-6G is based on GE's Evolution series.
  • WDG-6G is fitted with a 16-cylinder V-16 Evolution series engine. The engine is a 4 stroke, fully turbocharged and intercooled. Power transmission to axle is AC-AC electric.
  • The loco has Co-Co type axle arrangement with 6 AC traction motors.
  • The WDG-6G sports an Electronic Fuel Injection for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
  • The locomotive is UIC 1 emission compliant. First of its kind in India.
  • Alternator start engine is mounted on isolators for reduced vibrations.
  • The locomotive has IGBT based traction system with individual axle control for enhanced reliability.
  • Multi speed, motor driven auxiliaries for optimized load control
  • The driver's cab has been provided with amenities like HVAC, Hot plate, heated windshields, urinal.
  • Auto engine start/stop integrated with APU.
  • Consolidated Control Architecture Control System has been provided, and features such as Trip optimizer, loco vision and cab signalling are also part of the feature-set.
  • Remote monitoring and diagnostics has been enabled for continuous fleet health monitoring.
  • Cab frontal collision designed as per EN12663 and AAR S580 anti-climber.

Improvements
  • Currently approved for test trials by RDSO at a maximum permissible speed of 65kmph. Trials are underway to increase the same.
  • Current length of the loco is greater than any loco currently and hence facility of dual cab might be introduced[4]

Locomotive shed
ZoneNameShed codeQuantity
Northern RailwayRozaROZA
Total Locomotives Active as of

See also

References
  1. "Soon, "most powerful" WDG-6G diesel locomotive from GE to debut on Indian Railways tracks". financialexpress.com. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  2. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/railways-to-induct-countrys-most-powerful-diesel-locomotive-soon/article28066175.ece Railways to induct country's most powerful locomotive soon
  3. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/first-ge-locomotive-to-be-tested-on-scr-tracks/article28068068.ece First GE locomotive to be tested on SCR tracks
  4. http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/civil_engg/Sanction_Letters/2020_02_11%20Improvement%20of%20BG%20WDG6G%20class%20Diesel%20Electric%20Loco%20axle%20load%2023ton_2019-CEDO-SR-30(2)_RDSO.pdf Improvements of the WDG-6G class of Locomotive suggested by RDSO
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