Indian locomotive class YDM-3

The Indian locomotive class YDM-3 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1964 by GM-EMD for Indian Railways. The model name stands for Metre gauge (Y), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 3rd generation (3). They entered service in 1962. A total of 30 YDM-3 locomotives was built between 1961 and 1962.

Indian locomotive class YDM-3
A YDM-3 hauling a passenger train
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel
BuilderGM
Order number61/RSF/459/1
Serial numberDL.142.A.60
ModelGA12
Build date1961
Total produced30
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AAR1Bo+Bo1
 • UIC1'Bo'Bo'1
 • Commonwealth1Bo+Bo1
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Wheel diameter865 mm (34.06 in)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers13.79 m (45 ft 2 7⁄8 in)
 • Body12.35 m (40 ft 6 1⁄4 in)
Width2,670 mm (8 ft 9 1⁄8 in)
Height3,365 mm (11 ft 1⁄2 in)
Axle load11,000 kg (24,000 lb)
Loco weight58,500 kg (129,000 lb)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity3,028 L (666 imp gal; 800 US gal)
Lubricant cap.625 L (137 imp gal; 165 US gal)
Coolant cap.907 L (200 imp gal; 240 US gal)
Sandbox cap.0.34 L (0.075 imp gal; 0.090 US gal)
Power supply110 V DC supply
Prime moverGM 12-567C
RPM range275-800
 • RPM low idle275
 • RPM idle275
 • Maximum RPM800
AspirationTurbo-supercharged
GeneratorEMD D25
Traction motors2 EMD D69MC
 • Rating 1 hour835 Amp
 • Continuous800 A
Head end power110 V DC
Cylinders12
Cylinder size216 mm × 254 mm (8.50 in × 10.00 in) bore x stroke
TransmissionDiesel-electric transmission
Gear ratio4.598:1
MU working2
Loco brakeAir brake
Train brakesVacuum brake
Compressor109.5 L (24.1 imp gal; 28.9 US gal)
Exhauster439 L (97 imp gal; 116 US gal)
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Power output:
​
 • Starting1,390 hp (1,040 kW)
 • Continuous1,240 hp (920 kW)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting14.300 t (14 long tons; 16 short tons)
 • Continuous11.25 t (11 long tons; 12 short tons)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers6050-6079
Official namenil
Locale Western Railway zone
Delivered1961
First run1962
Last runFebruary 1998
WithdrawnFebruary 1998
Preserved2 (6073, 6074)
Scrapped1999
DispositionAll except 2 units have been scrapped

The YDM-3 served both passenger and freight trains for over 35 years. As of January 2020, all 30 locomotives have been withdrawn from service with two locomotives being preserved.

History

The history of YDM-3 begins in the early 1960s with the stated aim of the Indian Railways to remove steam locomotives from Indian rails after recommendation of Karnail Singh Fuel Committee.[1] Therefore, required building a large number of Meter gauge diesel locomotives. Thus Indian Railways began looking at various diesel-electric designs. EMD gave them the model number GA12[2]

Meter gauge, though rare gauge today, used to be a dominant gauge that time. After the introduction of YDM-1 locomotives by North British, Indian Railway thought for more powerful ones and hence EMD and the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) submitted designs of YDM-3/YDM-5 (12-567C) and YDM-4 respectively for new diesel locomotives. Each company supplied their locomotives in 1961. So about twenty five of these YDM-5 locomotives were ordered from General Motors, USA in the year 1963-64. While YDM-3 was 13 ton lighter than the YDM-4, Indian Railways opted for the ALCO design.[3]

The YDM-4 was considered over the YDM-3 model because of these reasons.

  • EMD would not consider transfer of technology at the time while ALCO accepted. This allowed YDM-4 locomotives to be manufactured in India.[4]
  • The EMD locomotives were able to generate only half as much continuous tractive effort than their ALCO counterpart.
  • The ALCO YDM-4 had the more heavier axle load.
  • YDM-4 cab provided better view in long hood forward operation over the YDM-3 models which had cab at one end.[5][6]
  • Maximum speed on YDM-5 locomotives was only 80kmph compared to 100kmph for YDM-4.[7]
  • YDM-4 with its simpler electrics were easier to maintain.[8]

These locomotives are designed for mixed traffic operation. The initial fleet of YDM-3 locomotives were allocated and homed at the diesel locomotive shed in Siliguri and were tested extensively on the Northeast Frontier Railway zone (NFR).[9] Then the entire YDM-3 fleet was transferred to Sabarmati sometime after 1963. Sabarmati serving the present day Western Railway zone.[10] They hauled passenger trains like Girnar Express, Pink City express, Ashram express.[11] The YDM-3 locomotives had an unusual arrangement for the traction motors. These were mounted longitudinally on the mainframe and drove the wheel-sets through cardan shafts. This required a lot of maintenance, possibly more than the axle-hung motors of the YDM-4 types. But In cab-forward mode, the YDM-3 locomotives offered an excellent view, and the cabin was more spacious than the YDM-4.

By the late 1990s the locomotives were had been withdrawn from service, all because of spare parts becoming difficult to source and work for the class declining due to conversion of meter gauge to broad gauge.[12] These locomotives were withdrawn as life-expired in February 1996, and the remainder of the batch that had not recently been overhauled followed in the next two years. All 30 were withdrawn.[13]

Preserved Locomotives

Out of the 25 units built, only one locomotive has been preserved in front of BLW GM office.[14][15][16][17]

Class Manufacturer Loco Number Previous shed Name LIvery Location ref
YDM-3 GM-EMD 6073 Sabarmati(SBI) Maroon with yellow band & stripe Plinthed at DLW, Varanasi [18]
YDM-3 GM-EMD 6074 Sabarmati(SBI) Maroon with yellow band & stripe Plinthed in front of DLW GM Office [19]

Former sheds
  • Silliguri (SGUJ)
  • Sabarmati (SBI)
  • All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

Technical specifications[20]
Manufacturers GM-EMD
Engine They are powered by a single 12-cylinders, 2-stroke EMD 567C type diesel engine capable of developing 1390 hp at 800 RPM under SAE standard conditions.
Transmission The locomotives are equipped with Electric Transmission consisting of one EMD make D-25 Direct Current main generator and two EMU make D 69 MC direct current
Traction motors The traction motors are series-wound, underframe mounted traction motors and are forced ventilated. The final drive is through reduction gear with universal joint drive shafts.
Brakes Compressed air and Rheostatic brake system is provided for the locomotive and vacuum brake equipment is installed for the train braking.
Engine Cooling Engine cooling arrangement consists of Street drive centrifugal water pump on the engine with the radiator and cooling ran located at the governor end of engine.


Automatic water temp. control is provided through thermostatically controlled modulating type by-pass valve.

Axle load 11.0 t (10.8 long tons; 12.1 short tons)
total weight 58.5 t (57.6 long tons; 64.5 short tons)
Bogies GM Fexicoil Bogies
Starting TE 14.300 t (14.074 long tons; 15.763 short tons)
Continuous TE 11.25 t (11.07 long tons; 12.40 short tons)

See also

References
  1. "Report of the expert Committee on Coal Consumption on Railways, 1958". INDIAN CULTURE. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
  2. "TargetPreview_GA12Indien". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  3. "YDM–4, YDM–4A". Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  4. "History of DLW,varanasi".
  5. "YDM-5 Long Hood View".
  6. "YDM-5 Long Hood view 2".
  7. RDSO (19 August 1967). "YDM4 Loco Max Operating Speed 85 kmph" (PDF). Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  8. "YDM-5 maintenance book, refer YDM-4 Section" (PDF).
  9. "Siliguri history" (PDF).
  10. "Sabarmati" (PDF).
  11. Parallel Metre Gauge and Broad Gauge trains - Saurashtra Mail (July 1992), retrieved 2020-05-08
  12. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: IR History: Part 6". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  13. "EMD Export". emdexport.railfan.net. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  14. "ydm3.jpg". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  15. "Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)". www.indianrailways.gov.in. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  16. "preserve loco list".
  17. "P1060839". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  18. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Sabarmati (SBI) YDM-3 6073 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  19. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Sabarmati (SBI) YDM-3 6074 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  20. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : AC Electric". www.irfca.org.
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