I.S.A.'s Indian Railway Titbits

by: S.SHANKAR

This section focuses on the most commonly seen diesels around the IR network starting with the ubiquitous WDM/2.

All the WDM/2s seen below were photographed at Madras Egmore. With regauging from mg to bg just completed (1999), terminal facilities for the diesels are not yet ready. The engines are therefore parked at the platforms, much to the delight of rail enthusiasts.

1. A WDM/2 in green/cream Golden Rock (Tiruchhirapalli) livery, stabled at Egmore.

2-3. Two views of another Golden Rock WDM/2 with a newer boxcab WDP/2 in tow.

4. Two WDM/2s at Egmore. The one nearest camera is in tri color Erode livery, while the freshly painted one in tow bears the standard green/cream Golden Rock livery.

5. Erode WDM/2 # 18701 at Egmore.

6. A lineup of diesels at Egmore. All arrivals are in the morning, with departures commencing early evening. The engines therefore stay on the platform all day. How many engines can you count?

This is the sole picture of a YDM/4 available at present: scores more are in ISA's treasure trove.

7. A YDM/4 'Blue Diamond' on the Nilgiri line. Part of the route is now dieselized. This engine had suffered extensive collision damage, and has been completely rebuilt.

The boxcab WDP/2 express locomotives can now be seen at Madras Egmore. Over a short one year period, several examples have been spotted in green/cream, blue/cream and cream/orange liveries. ISA was apparently delighted to spot these newcomers to Indian tracks, if the sheer number of his pics below is any indication!

8. The prototype WDP/2 in typical Golden Rock green/cream livery.

9-10. Two views of Golded Rock WDP/2s parked at Egmore. The pic at right shows the steamlined end.

11. A view of the high speed flexicoil bogie of the WDP/2. These beasts are capable of 160 kmph.

12. A WDP/2 along with a WDM/2 at Madras Egmore.

|13-14-15. Three views of a WDP/2 at Egmore, this time in an orange/cream livery.

16. Another WDP/2, this time in blue/cream livery.

17-18. Views from the WDP/2 cab.

19-20. More views from a WDP/2 cab.

|21-22-23. Still more views from a WDP/2 cab, with the control desk seen in some detail.

24. Despite a notice in the cab prohibiting the use of this locomotive for shunting, they are used for just that during their off duty hours, during the course of the day.