DIESEL FIESTA

By: S.SHANKAR

Gone are those days of double (diesel) headed superfast express trains with 21 cars, thundering across the countryside  at 110 kmph+ , between destinations thousands of miles apart. Indeed, super trains hauled by twin diesels earned an enviable reputation for their puctuality, reliability, convenience and speed.

Electrics have  almost completely taken over on the high speed trunk routes today, leaving mostly secondary routes for the diesels, or other routes that are as yet still under electrification or are not densely worked enough to justify electrification.(1999).

Surprisingly, the electric invasion notwithstanding, several  new and more powerful diesels have been outshopped in the very recent past, and a massive 4000 hp GT Mac diesel with an uncomfortably lenghty long hood is due to come in from GM, USA. This is a very advanced machine technically, though a torture for the drivers if they are unfortunate enough to have to drive long hood leading. A couple of them have already arrived (1999), and they will soon be built in India.  A passenger version, classed WDP/4 has also been received in small quantities.

Although most rail enthusiasts will tell you that they are primarily steam fans, the good old diesels too have their own faithful band of followers in most countries of the world, including Britain, the country where the steam locomotive was invented. 

WDM/2

I WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS PAGE TO MY GOOD FRIEND AND THE MOST ACTIVE IRFCA MEMBER APURVA BAHADUR, WITHOUT WHOSE HELP AND SUPPORT THIS PAGE MIGHT NEVER HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT OF THE DAY. THIS WAS MY FIRST WEB PAGE, AND APURVA PATIENTLY EXPLAINED TO ME THE RUDIMENTS OF WEB PAGE BUILDING, STEP BY STEP. APURVA IS AN OUT AND OUT DIESEL FAN AS WELL, HENCE THIS DEDICATION. A BIG THANK YOU, APURVA.Panel represents Tuqlakabad (TKD) livery (Also Kalka)

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3. A WDM/2 unit # 17989R exhibits incomplete combustion as she powers out of Kirloskarwadi with the 7384 Maharashtra Express in 2001. (Photo courtesy: Apurva Bahadur) Panel represents Golden Rock (Trichy) (GOC) livery

4. A typical Indian scene, complete with goat: having brought in the Cholan Express into Villupuram, the YDM/4 diesel makes way for a comely YAM/1 electric for the last leg of the train's journey to Madras Egmore. (Nov.1997).Panel represents Gooty (GY) livery. A handful of engines had this livery inverted: orange on top and light blue at the bottom.  

5. A YDM/2 readies to leave Kumbakonam in Southern India with a slow shuttle train to Tanjore. (Thanjavur). (Nov. 1997). Panel represents Golden Rock (Trichy) (GOC) livery                                                                                                     

6. A decreipt WDM/2 unit pulls into Hyderabad station on a sizzling summer's day in 1996. My friend, who shot this picture for me, planted the man in the foreground as a decoy, as photography in stations is prohibited. He got caught nonetheless! The locomotive is in Gooty (GY) shed's typical light blue/orange livery. This is one of the rare units with the livery inverted: orange on top and light blue at the bottom..Panel represents Krishnarajapuram (Blr.) (KJM) livery

7. When diesels were in their prime, they had pride of place in working double headed superfasts on trunk routes, as seen here. This train has just left Nizamuddin in Delhi and will run all the way to the South: a journey of nearly 3,000 km. Most of these trunk routes are now electrified. (Scanned from the book: Modern Locomotives) Panel represents Tuqlakabad (Dli.) (TKD) livery, (Also Kalka)

THEY SAID IT !!

Here is a rundown of the chronology of events at the massive Diesel Loco Works from DLW veteran Mr. R. Venkataraman (lovingly known as Laliram), an elderly member of the irfca:

8. The Pandyan Express readies to leave Madurai in May 1992 behind a YDM/4 running LHF. For an engine standing on line, the driver has not even switched on the marker (aspect) lamps: dangerous! We survived the journey quite comfortably, nonetheless!      Panel represents Kazipet (KZJ) livery, Also Ernakulam (ERS)

10. A WDM/2 makes a hefty effort with a heavy South bound freight as she accelerates out of Pune (Poona) Jn. on a sizzling summer's day in May 1992. Panel represents the most commonly seen livery: IR standard

12. Here is a locomotive that everyone loves to hate: a 'Jumbo' variant of the WDM/2. This unit is pictured at Pune (Poona) in March 1992. Due to lousy visibility with either end leading, there is now a move to rebuild all Jumbos as conventional WDM/2 machines at the time of their overhaul. Represents Ratlam livery, Also Abu Road (ABR): ABR locos have the cream extending right across the locomotive ends.

13. A dramatic shot of the Vaigai Express as she crosses the Cauvery (or Kollidam) river just before entering Tiruchirapalli. This picture was shot by a friend in July 1995 from atop the Rock Fort in Trichy. Panel represents Kazipet (KZJ) livery.

14. A WDG/2 freight engine and a humble WDM/2 at the Pune (Poona) diesel shed in 2000. While the WDM/2 is moving in to take charge of the 2780 Nizamuddin-Vasco Goa Express at the Pune station platform, the WDG/2 has just come in, and is due for a trip schedule. (Photo courtesy: Apurva Bahadur) Panel represents Kazipet (KZJ) livery

19. Shot at an unusual angle, a WDM/2 running LHF readies to leave Pune (Poona) in 1994 with the shuttle to Daund. Engine is in Krishnarajapuram shed (KJM) livery. Note another locomotive in light blue/orange Gooty (GY) shed livery on the next track. Panel represents Kazipet (KZJ) livery

20. Aesthetically very pleasing, but not really the proper thing for a diesel to do, an elderly WDM/1 seems to mean business as she accelerates with an enormous freight near Balugaon on the S.E.R.   (Photo courtesy John Lacey.) Panel represents Tuqlakabad (Dli.) (TKD) livery

22. Twin WDM/2 elder sisters blast past with a heavy freight train at Adoni in the failing daylight in Nov. 1994. Panel represents Neral (NRL) livery.(NDM/1 ng engines) Also Kacheguda (YDM/2 locomotives). Other sheds also had a handful of locomotives in this livery.

24. A dramatic contrast where twin WDM/2 diesels hauling a heavy freight (just outside the picture) provide foreground to an old faithful: a WG freight steam locomotive, which has cleared the field for these beasts after ruling the roost for several decades. Location: Nagpur, Dec.1986.Panel represents livery of unknown shed: found on new WDP/2  locos

25. Modern traffic requirements call for innovations. This is the business end of a diesel push-pull train which runs between Diva and Vasai Road (Bassein). One WDM/2 unit is coupled mid-rake, and driving controls are provided in a cab at either end, as seen here.(Picture Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur). Panel represents Kazipet (KZJ) livery, esp. WDP/1 locos.

27. Early morning arrival at Madgaon on the Konkan Railway is this SCR originated 2780 Nizamuddin-Vasco de Gama Goa Express, on the last leg of its journey from Madgaon to Vasco. This train is hauled by a pair of WDM/2 diesels. (May 2001). (Picture Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur).  Panel represents Hubli (UBL) (new WDG/4 locos) original livery

28. A ZDM/3 2' 6" ng diesel unit raises dust as she enters Daund Jn. with a passenger train from Baramati in 1992. The line has since been re-gauged to b.g., and services ply from Baramati to Pune (Poona) direct. One of the b.g.rakes uses double decker cars. Panel represents Mughal Sarai (MGS) and Waltair (WAT) livery: (WDM/4 locos)

30. A WDM/4 leaves Lucknow station with the Doon Express to Dehradun. Most of the WDM/4s have now (2001) been withdrawn, and one is preserved at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi. (Scanned from the old edition of 'India by Rail'). Panel represents livery of Pune (PUNE) and other sheds. (nowadays std. livery on WDG/2 locos.)

32. A YDM/2 leaves Hyderabad with a shuttle train to neighboring Bodhan on a sizzling day in 1996. Note bicycle on running plate! Panel represents Mettupalayam (MTP) shed livery.(Nilgiri Mountain Railway locos.)

33. Railroad workers hitch a ride on a  WDS/6 heavy shunter at Daund in 1992. The engine is painted in green/yellow spinach and egg livery, once a favorite with the SR's Golden Rock shed (GOC) in Tiruchirapalli. Panel represents Waltair (WAT)  shed livery, used mainly on WDM/1 locos

34. A YDM/4 makes a hefty effort on a stone viaduct near Aryankavu on the Quilon-Tenkasi line. The line is now being re-gauged to b.g. (Scanned from a magazine. Source not noted.) (Thanks to fellow-irfca member John Lacey for specifying the exact location.) Panel represents Kazipet (KZJ) shed livery

36. A WDS/4 unit shunts the rake of the Pune (Poona) - Jammu Tawil Jhelum Express in the blistering heat of summer in March 1992. Panel represents IR standard livery with lighter (off white) trim

37. A dimunitive YDM/4 unit backs out of Mysore station towards the shed. Today, with most of the lines out of Mysore already re-gauged to b.g., although it is still possible to spot these locos there (2001), they are only in charge of shuttle trains between Mysore and Nanjangund/Chamarajnagar. (Picture Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur). Panel represents Krishnarajapuram (Blr.) (KJM) shed livery. This livery was a favorite with this shed in the mid 1980s

38. The brand new high speed passenger diesel the WDP/2. These locomotives,with a 160 kmph speed capability and a refreshing new carbody design are all set to become the pride of the IR fleet. Several have been churned out already, and their numbers are increasing gradually. (Picture courtesy I.S.Anand). Panel reprsents Kazipet (KZJ) livery

39. Another  WDP/2, just out of the works in Sept. 1999. (Scanned from the Indian Railways Magazine, circa Sept.1999). Shed not known (Swarnajayanti livery)

Here is a note I received from Mr. Atul Singh, Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer (Projects) of the Diesel Loco Works, Varanasi: a rare honor indeed to be noticed by someone at the helm of affairs!

hi shankar

i saw your site on 29/08/2001 and found it quite interesting.

incidentally i have been on the manufacturing end of your subject locos for the past 6 years.

my interest has mainly been the wdp2 loco- a total of 44 were made till march 2001. in trying to make them a little more interesting starting from road no. 15528 i gave them a new paint scheme(actually 2), the one with 'diesel power' emblazoned on the side in english and 'diesel shakti' in hindi. you'll find them all based at TKD(tughlakabad DSL shed). the serial nos of the wdp2's starts from 15501 (as u may be aware) and goes up to 15544. one loco no 15535 is based somewhere in the south (maybe GOC dsl shed-i'm not sure)

some of the tech specs are as follows

V-16 3100 hp 251C upgraded power pack using a ABB/GE turbo supercharger and MICO 17mm dia FIP's

Radiator size has been increased as in the WDG2, AC/DC transmission(Traction Alternator and DC Traction Motors). High speed 2 stage suspension flexi coil bogies enabling it to reach speeds in excess of 160 kmph ( successful trials were conducted at 180 kmph in early 2001 on the Delhi-Agra route). one of the major changes from the maintenance point was shift from the conventional suspension bearing traction motors to the modern, maintenance friendly, roller bearing traction motors.

also the last loco of the millenium from DLW was a WDP2 road no. 15538 which had a silver and navy blue paint scheme and reflective decals and lettering. i have a snap of it. i'll try to get it scanned for u.

the more recent locos from DLW have been

WDM2 for bangladesh rlys (10 nos -during march to august 2001)

wdm2 for srilankan rlys (2 nos -currently under assembly)

a prototype metre gauge full width twin cab loco is currently under assembly at DLW and should roll out somewhere in October 2001. it is being made mainly for the malaysian market and hence aptly named garuda by yours truly. both the cabs are air conditioned, with a toilet, 12 cylinder alco/DLW power-pack churning out 2300 hp(same as in WDP1) fabricated Co-Co bogies and an electrically operated parking brake.

i hope i have'nt bored u to death with all the above.

if anything is of interest to u from DLW just give me a tap.

atul singh

deputy chief mechanical engineer/projects

dlw

(slightly edited to ensure continuity) (Panel represents Guntakal (GTL) livery

40. This is the high tech 4000 hp GT Mac diesel from GM, USA, seen here on a flat car pending shipment to India. The unusually long and uncomfortable long hood can well be appreciated. The IR gives a lame excuse of the engine otherwise becoming too tall if a dual cab version were to be chosen. Pity the poor drivers. These engines have been classed WDG/4 in India, and a passenger version, the WDP/4 has also arrived in India. (Photo courtesy Larry Russell).  Panel represents Golden Rock (Trichy) (GOC) livery

43. The new WDG/4 beasts are as ugly from the uncomfortable long hood end as they are beautiful from the short hood side. Here is a view from the long hood, taken by Apurva Bahadur in 2000. (Picture Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur). Livery indicated in panel was previously of Kazipet (KZJ) shed, present shed not known (nowadays standard d.m.u. livery esp. on the Konkan Railway)

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46. India's first attempts at dieselization on the broad gauge (circa 1958-59) were made using these unidirectional WDM/1 'A' units. All are now withdrawn (2001): This unit is at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi, awaiting display. (Picture Courtesy: Satish Pai). Shed not noted, very probably Ludhiana (LDH)

47. After several years of uninterrupted service, the dimunitive NDM/1s of the Matheran line were finally due for retirement. Replacements for these are these NDM/6 units, built by the private sector firm of Suri and Nayar.Similar locomotives were also put on line on the Darjeeling line (2000). While the Matheran NDM/6s appear to be working quite well, the ones on the Darjeeling line drew much flak, especially after a derailment. This one is seen ascending towards Matheran from Neral. All trains going uphill have the engine coupled Long Hood Forward.(Picture Courtesy: Srinivas Joshi). Panel represents Itarsi (ET) livery

48. Finally, despite the uncomfortably lengthy long hood of the WDG/4 GT Mac, D.L.W. officials assure us that the view from the longhood is better than on the standard WDM/2, due to additional 'bay windows'. This is the normal view from a standard WDM/2 locomotive running Long Hood Forward. (Photo Courtesy: Dr. Shirish Yande.) Panel represents Hubli (UBL)(new WDG/4 locos) present day livery

THE DIESEL SAGA CONTINUES:

WDM/2 Videos on Jay Balakrishna's site

WDM/2 Sounds on Apurva Bahadur's site

YOU CAN SEE MORE DIESEL IMAGES IN THE DIESEL SECTION OF MY SUPER-RAILWAY SITE. GO TO

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9896/superrlydsel.htm

Plenty of diesel action to be seen in Apurva Bahadur's site. Apurva is an out and out diesel fan, and it shows!!

FEAST!!! Overeating guaranteed, or your money back!

[Phil Wormald's Pages]  [Dave's Pages] [Richard Morisson's Pages]

Also visit the Bangalore/Mysore and Madras (Chennai) pages of my other website 'Chasing Trains in the New Millenium':

Official Website of the Diesel Locomotive Works