WDG 4G (THE DIESEL KING LOCOMOTIVE)

The Diesel locomotives are most widely used locomotive of Indian railways as they do not require any O.H.E. cable for power supply and only 49% of the rail routes are electrified with 25KV supply. Moreover, the starting torque, hauling power and capacity of diesel locomotives are far much greater than electric locomotives. This implies that even though the electrification of rail routes is very important, still the importance of Diesel Locomotives in India is very high and to comply the latest technologies of world to our diesel locos, the Indian Railways had Introduced a highly efficient, powerful diesel locomotive, named WDG 4G.

INTRODUCTION

The WDG 4G (Wide Diesel Goods class-4G) is a group of 4500HP DIESEL OPERATED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVES developed by GENERAL ELECTRICS TRANSPORTATION, USA under the collaboration of INDIAN RAILWAYS. They are highly fuel efficient(GEVO), eco-friendly locomotives developed for hauling the freight locomotives in INDIA thus replacing the old-fashioned ALCO locos.

On SEPTEMBER, 2013, the GENERAL ELECTRICS win the bidding which was then awarded by their contracts on NOVEMBER 9, 2015 by INDIAN RAILWAYS for manufacturing of 1000 freight locos in INDIA. Further, the UNION CABINET gave its approval for setting up of DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FACTORY(DLF) in MARHOWRA, BIHAR for production of WDG 4G locos. The amount of the contract was estimated to be about 137 billion rupees.

The locomotive was again estimated to run Dedicated Freight Corridors. The locomotives are such designed for highly fuel efficient, lesser cost of maintenance and lesser pollution than other conventional locomotives reducing the carbon dioxide or sulphur emission on the air. The locomotive have hybrid engines with high traction powers with lesser weights. The cabins have large spaces with comfort seats ideal for drivers on long distant journey with fully facilitated with air-conditioning, heaters, LED lighting etc.  

THE FIRST DIESEL EFFICIENT LOCO

PRODUCTION

According to the contract, first 100 locos will be imported from USA and rest 900 locos will be manufactured in INDIA using 70% Indian content (as an MAKE IN INDIA initiative) at DLF MARHOWRA, BIHAR. The locomotive will be manufactured under the joint venture of INDIAN RAILWAYS and GENERAL ELECTRICS. It is least emission making loco in the world with 22 tons per axle load.

The first loco was came out by GE’s plant on 3 AUGUST, 2017 which is then imported to India on 11 OCTOBER, 2017.

THE TRIAL RUN FOR WDG 4G

SPECIFICATIONS

POWER OUTPUT:   4500HP
FUEL TYPE:           DIESEL
BUILDER:             MARHOWRA, BIHAR
MODEL:                G3 ES43A Cmi
AXLE LOAD:          22,000kg
ENGINE TYPE:       V-12 DIESEL ENGINE WITH 4-                                         STROKE AND 6 CYLINDERS
LOCO WEIGHT:      137,900 kg
BRAKE TYPE:         AIR, DYNAMIC BRAKES
OTHER FEATURES: FACILITY OF REFRIGERATION                                  AND ATTACHED TOILETS.  

WATCH THE VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE2WK_5RSVc