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
Roza based WDG-6G 69017 running light towards Rewari
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Electric
ModelGE ES57ACi
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 speed62 mph (100 km/h)
Power output6,000 hp (4,470 kW)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers69001+

Import and manufacture

Two units were produced by Wabtec's plant in Pennsylvania, United States, and delivered to India in 2019.[2] 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 [3] and were approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation for further field trials on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by Roza Locomotive Shed.

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 sheds
ZoneNameShed codeQuantity
Northern RailwayRozaROZA
Western Railway Gandhidham GIM
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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