About Indian Railway Locomotives

A locomotive or engine is a rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train.

Locomotives of India presently consist of electric and diesel locomotive. A locomotive is also called loco or engine.

Classifications-

There are two types of locomotive run in India.

• Diesel Locomotive Or Dual-Mode Locomotives Or Diesel-Electric Locomotive
• Electric Locomotive

1.  Diesel Locomotive Or Dual-Mode Locomotives- A Diesel Locomotive is a type of railway Locomotive in which the prime mover is a Diesel engine. Several types of diesel locomotive have been developed, differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels. Fig shows the illustration of this type of loco.

Fig. Illustration Of Diesel Locomotive

Diesel locomotives have many disadvantages, which are-

1. Life of diesel locomotive is low.
2. Its running coast is high than electric locomotive.
3. Complex engine design therefore maintenance is high.
4. Diesel engine does not have high starting torque.
5. They produce much heat and noise because of it's moving parts.
6. Diesel is an expensive non-renewable fuel source.

soon these types of locomotives are takes places by Diesel-Electric Locomotives also called hybrid locomotive or dual-mode locomotive because they have many-many advantages as compared to its counterparts. Thank to the technological advancements from which we get useful results. In this type of locomotives prime mover is a diesel engine but the final drive to engine is given by traction motors. Here the main function of engine is that, it work as a generator which produce electricity, that powered the traction motors which give final drive to Axel. Fig shows the illustration of this type of locomotive.

Fig. Illustration Of Diesel-Electric Locomotive 

These type of locomotives overtake many drawbacks of diesel locomotives which are-

1. They have high starting torque.
2. They produce comparatively less noise.
3. They have it's own power system.
4. Comparatively less running cost.
5. Comparatively Lower maintenance.
6. This modern technology engine's are used very much.

Examples for this type of locomotive are-

Mixed Type Locomotives-

1. WDM-1
2. WDM-2 - Further divided to WDM - 2A, WDM - 2B
3. WDM-3 - Further divided to WDM - 3A, WDM - 3AR, WDM - 3B, WDM - 3C, WDM - 3D, WDM-3E, WDM-3F
4. WDM-4
5. WDM-6
6. WDM-7

Passenger Locomotives-

1. WDP-1
2. WDP-2
3. WDP-3 -  Further divided to WDP-3A
4. WDP-4 -  Further divided to WDP-4B, WDP-4D

Goods Locomotives-

1. WDG-2
2. WDG-3 - Further divided to WDG-3C, WDG-3D
3. WDG-4 - Further divided to WDG-4D
4. WDG-5

WDG-5 is the most powerful diesel-electric locomotive of India named as Bheem but are in trail period. 

Shunting Locomotives-

1. WDS-1
2. WDS-2
3. WDS-3
4. WDS-4
5. WDS-5
6. WDS-6
7. WDS-8

What is WDM/P/G/S Mean?

• W stands for Wide Gauge (5 ft 6 in)
• D stands for Diesel
• M stands for Mixed 
• P stands for Passenger 
• G stands for Goods
• S stands for Shunting

2. Electric Locomotive-  An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or on-board energy storage such as a battery or fuel cell but electricity from overhead lines are common. Several types of electric locomotives have been developed. In this type of loco, electricity is taken from overhead lines through pantograph and finally fed to it's traction motors which give final drive to Axel. Modern electric loco run on AC traction but DC traction electric locos are still exists. 

Fig. shows the illustration of electric locomotive-

Fig. Illustration Of Electric Locomotive

One major advantage of electrification is the lack of pollution from the locomotives that generate by diesel or Diesel-Electric Locomotives. Other advantages are-

1. Electricity is a cheaper and infinite source.
2. Electrification results in higher performance.
3. They use simple and straightforward technology.
4. They have lower maintenance costs.
5. They have lower energy costs.
6. They have lower running costs
7. Electric engines are lightweight i.e they have high power to weight ratio.
8. Electric locomotives are quiet because there is no engine, exhaust noise and less mechanical noise.
9. They Produce  higher power output.
10. Electric locomotives are ideal for commuter rail service.
11. They are used on high-speed lines.
12. They take advantages from regenerative braking system.
13. Starting torque is very high. 

Apart from these advantages there are some disadvantage also which are-

1. The chief disadvantage of electrification is the cost for infrastructure.
2. They do not operate in area's where electric overhead lines are not installed.

Examples for this type of locomotive are-

Mixed Type Locomotives-

1. WAM-1
2. WAM-2
3. WAM-3
4. WAM-4 - Further divided to WAM 4B, WAM 4P, WAM 4PD, WAM 4PR, WAM 4PDBHS, WAM 46PD, WAM 4PDB3P, WAM 42S3P, WAM 46PDBHS, WAM 46PE, WAM 4G, WAM 4H and WAM 4E

Passenger Locomotives-

1. WAP-1
2. WAP-2
3. WAP-3
4. WAP-4
5. WAP-5
6. WAP-6
7. WAP-7

Goods Locomotives-

1. WAG-1 - Further divided to WAG 1S 
2. WAG-2
3. WAG-3 - Further divided to WAG-3A
4. WAG-4 
5. WAG-5 - Further divided to WAG 5A, WAG 5B, WAG 5D, WAG 5E, WAG 5H, WAG 5HA, WAG 5HB, WAG 5HD, WAG 5HE, WAG 5PE, WAG 5RH
6. WAG-6 - Further divided to WAG 6B, WAG 6C
7. WAG-7 - Further divided to WAG-7H
8. WAG-8
9. WAG-9 - Further divided to WAG 9H, WAG9i and WAG9Hi

WAG-9 is the most powerful AC electric locomotive of India.

Electric Multiple Units-

1. WAU-1
2. WAU-2
3. WAU-3
4. WAU-4

Dual (both AC and DC) traction-

1. WCAM-1
2. WCAM-2 - Further divided to WCAM-2P
3. WCAM-3
4. WCAG-1

This type of traction used in Mumbai & it's suburban.

What is WA/CA/M/P/G Mean?

• W stands for Wide Gauge (5 ft 6 in)
• A stands for AC electric traction
• CA stands for both DC and AC traction
• M stands for Mixed 
• P stands for Passenger 
• G stands for Goods

This is the Basic Knowledge about Indian locomotives deep knowledge is update soon.