EVOLUTION OF FREIGHT TRAINS IN INDIA

As one can see that the transportation of goods from rails is much more convenient that roads or airways because large amount of goods can be transported at a time with much cheaper rate and low fuel consumption making it affordable and environment friendly (less pollution). But, due to its late and slow service, no one risk to prefer it. The goods which should be delivered within 3 days takes more than 10 days to get delivered increasing both the percentage cost of transportation and loss of the owner. Also, the Railways doesn’t deliver proper goods to owner; there are some problems related to quantity and quality of good always. Taking these circumstances, one always thinks what are major developments happening in Indian Railways related to these freight trains?? The post will cover the latest technical developments of Indian Railways which include the strategies for improving the condition of freight trains!!

Before start, why these goods train are so slow? One never thinks on it because even our passenger’s train gets delayed. The biggest reason becomes the overcrowded rail routes in which preference are more to passenger’s train than freight train which operates in large quantities; making hardly any route free to move. The second reason becomes the large loads of these goods trains and the old outdated tracks which doesn’t permit to go beyond 50km/hr. The final reasons are the locomotives having very less tractive effort and low hauling capacity to pull the fully loaded fifty wagons (bogies) train.

To compensate this, the first major and mega development are the DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS (DFC) covering the four quadrilaterals and major cities of India. These will become the core of goods train allowing the trains to run with almost 110 wagons at a speed of 100km/hr max. Important part being that only freight trains are allowed to move on these routes preventing the delay and delivering the proper goods on time. The system is equipped with high tech machines increasing the speed and accuracy of the work with much better materials. To ensure more safety and quality of goods, various storage units and packing machines are installed to these routes. For more info, visit to my post: DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR (THE RAILWAYS GAME-CHANGER).

The one incidence that should be discussed before continuing that one goods train of Indian Railway is 1354 days late (almost 4 years). The incident is bit shocking; taking place when one owner ordered the transportation of 21 fertilizers wagons from Visakhapatnam to Basti on 14 November, 2014. He got only 20 wagons of fertilizers and one wagon was missing. When he complained, Railways said that the wagon was bit heavy to transported and will be transported later. But then the last wagon was delivered after 1354 days. When owner asked for compensation, railways said that it was his fault that he had not correctly matched its products. Thus, the big evolution is necessary to remove such big mistakes in Railways.

 Now, the biggest development that should be undertaken are the better hauling locomotives that are enough pull the high weight wagons. We observe that old ALCO locomotives are still used for hauling the heavy wagons like WDM3A, WDG3A etc. These locomotives still have low hauling capacity and high fuel consumption with major pollutions. But still these locomotives are most successful locomotives for Indian Railways.

Taking in account the current operational locomotive, we have the latest EMD locomotives with high traction power like WDG4, WDG5 and WDG4D. The high-powered diesel operated engines can easily move the trains with decent speed. Besides, the diesel locomotives give more traction power as compared to electric locomotives, thus are necessary.

WDG 4

WDG 4D

Next, in electric variations we have WAG5 basically used in twin coupled and WAG7 locomotive. These two locomotives are highly used in rail tracks. But when it comes to monster, we have WAG9. This locomotive is the most powerful locomotive of Indian Railways having 6350HP. This locomotive can easily haul the 60-70 good wagons with great speed. This green coloured locomotive is most commonly used in Freight tracks and on busiest routes.

WAG 5

WAG 7

WAG 9

These are some current operational locomotives being used for long time. But what about the ultra-power locomotives or these are only number?!

The first major positioner is WDG4G, a locomotive imported from general electric, Germany. This diesel variant locomotive becomes the most efficient and powerful diesel locomotives for goods trains having decent hauling capacity and fuel efficient. The locomotive would be manufactured in the factory of MARHOWRAH, BIHAR.

WDG 4G

Next to talk about the biggest accomplishment of ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ or Indian Railways project; a new conversion locomotive named WAGC3. This locomotive was manufactured with use of two locomotives, WDM3A and WAM4. The world’s first diesel to electric conversion locomotive would again be used in hauling freight trains in Dedicated Freight Corridor. For more info visit to post: WDG-4G.


Finally, the BEAST of Indian Railways; the mega hauler locomotive, WAG12. This locomotive is most powerful locomotive of India, having 12000HP. This locomotive was imported from ALSTOM, FRANCE which remarks a big history in Indian Railways. This locomotive can easily haul 100-120 wagons at a top speed of 110km/hr. The locomotive is also equipped with high modern equipment’s and used in twin sectioned for extra power. This locomotive would be proved to be a big gamechanger in Railways. For more info visit to my post: WAG12.

WAG 12

Lastly, the new conversion locomotive; again, a mega conversion
after WAGC3 named WAG11 locomotive. This locomotive would be fusion of WDG4 and WAP7 locomotive. This locomotive was also counted among powerful locomotives for freight trains.

Thus, these developments in goods train will surely bring a mega change of transportation where more preference becomes the rail transport and decreasing the transportation rate to great extent making it cheaper than others. Soon, the country will be counted among the powerful nation in rail transport and services and people can see the better conditions for the rail transport.

HOPE, YOU WOULD LIKE THE INFORMATIONS AND CONTENT.  

REFERENCES:

CONTENT: MY IDEAS AND THOUGHTS

IMAGES: GOOGLE IMAGES