Rlys to manufacture locos that run on diesel, electricity

NEW DELHI: In a first for the Indian Railway, diesel locomotives will soon haul trains by drawing power through overhead wires on an electrified route, with the public transporter embarking on manufacturing dual-mode engines.

“We will be manufacturing dual-mode locomotives to run trains on diesel and also by drawing power through overhead wire on electrified route,” said a senior railway ministry official involved in the project. Railways will manufacture five dual-mode locomotives of 4,500 horse power (HP) capacity each at Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi as a pilot project.

Though similar locomotives are operational in the US and South Africa, it will be a first in India, the official said.

Currently, 52% of total trains are on diesel traction. Diesel locomotives are generally replaced by electric engines on electrified route causing delays. “However, with the acquisition of dual-mode locos, there will be no need for changing the locomotive for electric traction as the same diesel engine will be utilised on electrified route,” he said. A dualmode locomotive is estimated to cost about `18 crore, while a 4,500 HP diesel locomotive costs about `13 crore. The proposal has been forwarded to the Research Design and Standard Design (RDSO), the research wing of the Indian Railway, to finalise specifications.

“After the RDSO approval, DLW will be manufacturing five such locos on a pilot basis. The locos will be pressed into service on certain electrified routes on a trial basis,” said the official.