Indian locomotive class WDS-8

The Indian locomotive class WDS-8 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1979 by the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways, but ended up being delivered exclusively to the 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 five WDS-8 locomotives was built at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), Varanasi between 1979 and 1982.

Indian locomotive class WDS-8
A brand new WDS-8 (possibly #001) at CLW, after completion
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel
BuilderCLW
Build date1979-1982
Total produced5
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo′Bo′
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Wheelbase10.834 m (35 ft 6 1⁄2 in)
Width2.764 m (9 ft 7⁄8 in)
Height4.195 m (13 ft 9 1⁄8 in)
Loco weight73,000 kg (161,000 lb)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity1,000 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 cap20 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal), 28 L (6.2 imp gal; 7.4 US gal) DLW
Prime moverMAK 800hp diesel engine
Engine typeInline-6 diesel
AspirationTurbo-supercharged
GeneratorDC
Traction motors6 DC
Cylinders6
TransmissionDiesel-electric transmission
MU working2
Loco brakeAir, Vacuum
Train brakesVacuum , Air
Performance figures
Maximum speed35 km/h (22 mph)
Power outputMax: 800 hp (600 kW)
Site rated: 700 hp (520 kW)
Tractive effort22.000 t (22 long tons; 24 short tons) maximum, 16.050 t (16 long tons; 18 short tons) continuous
Career
OperatorsSteel Authority of India
LocaleLeased and sold to some industrial concerns
First run1972
Current ownerSteel Authority of India
DispositionWithdrawn from service, scrapped

All WDS-8 units were exported to the Steel Authority of India. As of November 2020, these locomotives have been withdrawn from service.

History

The history of the WDS-8 class begins in the early 1970s with the Railway Board's dual aims of addressing the shortcomings of the previous class of shunter/switcher locomotive (WDS-4) and of removing all of Indian Railways' steam locomotives from operational service by a target date of 1990. The WDS-8 was a competing bid from CLW to the Banaras Locomotive Works's WDS-6 class, intended for industrial concerns in the private sector as well as for the Railways itself.[1] The WDS-8 had a MAK diesel engine with a maximum output of 800 HP which was similar to the engine used in the newly upgraded YDM-1 class. They possessed short cabs modeled on those of CLW's electric locomotives with a single long, narrow hood. But unfortunately, this design was severely underpowered compared to the WDS-6 class.[2]

As a result of these shortcomings, CLW decided not to produce any more WDS-8 locomotives after these 5 units and they were then transferred to the plants of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL).[3]

As of November 2020, no locomotives of this class are in service.

See also

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.
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