Indian Railways is presently concentrating on modernization as it commemorates 100 years of electric engines. All passenger trains will soon have new, small 12-wheel engines installed in place of the current 16-wheel versions. These engines will still have the same power and capacity despite their reduced size, increasing train speed and guaranteeing a more pleasant ride for drivers. Furthermore, they will need less upkeep.
The Fazalganj Electric Loco Shed has successfully completed the repair trials for these engines. West Bengal’s Chittaranjan and Varanasi Locomotive Works are where they are made.
During British administration, India’s first electric engine operated in February 1925, introducing electric rail transportation to the region. Engine designs have changed throughout time due to ongoing technical breakthroughs, becoming entirely indigenous. The majority of passenger train engines today have 16 to 20 wheels, but they will soon switch to 12 wheels while still having the ability to produce 12,000 horsepower.
Important Contemporary Features
– Waterless Toilets: Waste is collected in a box rather than on the rails using an air-pressure cleaning system.
– Enhanced Driver Comfort: Locomotive drivers now enjoy superior seats and ventilation.
Old vs. New Engines
– The 45-foot-long, 24-wheeled freight train engines will now have 16–20 wheels and a shorter length of 24–28 feet.
– Engines for passenger trains that are now 24 feet long and 16 wheels will be replaced with engines that are 20 to 22 feet long, have 12 wheels, and have stronger motors. Even more powerful and compact engines are the goal of future designs.
The new engines are being fixed at the state-of-the-art Traction Motor (TM) shop, which has all the latest amenities. They are completely indigenous, which has made upkeep easier and more effective.
According to Rahul Tripathi, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer at Fazalganj Loco Shed, “smaller but more powerful engines will be developed in the near future to further enhance railway efficiency.”
