Twin WAG9Hi locomotive developed by CLW
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, November 5: With the World Bank funded Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) becoming operational from November 1, Indian Railways is likely to gain from the indigenous development of 12000 HP power loco by the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) which is designed to hit the track at a speed of 100 kmph.
The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor is also likely to be completed by March next year to allow the Railways to move goods at a high speed. “The development of the Twin WAG9Hi locomotive with 12,000 HP power at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) represents a significant advancement in locomotive technology. This locomotive is designed to meet the demands of heavy-haul freight operations on the Indian Railways network,” noted Debi Prasad Dash, former General Manager in the Indian Railways, in a post on Linkedin.
He stated that one loco will cost Rs 20.80 crores, while the maximum speed possible is 100 kmph. The current average freight trains’ speed on the rail networks is stated to be little above 40 kmph, as per the government reply to parliament on Mission Raftar last year. The Railways is aiming to run the goods trains at speed of 75 kmph while also targeting 100 kmph speed for empty rakes.
“Key features of the Twin WAG9Hi locomotive include — a power output of 12,000 HP for the necessary muscle for hauling extremely heavy freight trains; High Tractive Effort as it offers a remarkable starting tractive effort of 1,020 kN, making it capable of handling heavy loads on steep gradients; Heavy Freight Capability: The locomotive can pull trains weighing up to 6,400 tons on a 1:150 gradient at a speed of 60 km/h, making it suitable for the transportation of bulk goods,” added Dash.
The Twin WAG9Hi locomotive is distinct in its paired locomotive configuration, which offers the advantage of access to the second locomotive through a vestibule. “This feature proves particularly useful in challenging areas such as over bridges, embankments, and during nighttime operations,” further stated Dash, who also added that the loco has enhanced comfort with facilities like toilets in the cab and fully functional rear cabs, providing comfort and convenience for the locomotive crew during long journeys.
“In comparison to existing 1,2000 HP locomotives with a starting tractive effort of 705 kN, the Twin WAG9Hi represents a substantial leap in terms of TE and performance, making it a valuable addition to the Indian Railways’ fleet.
The development of the Twin WAG9Hi locomotive at CLW signifies a major step forward in modernizing the locomotive fleet, enabling the efficient and reliable transportation of heavy loads across the diverse terrains of the Indian railway network,” added Dash.
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