World’s first MAKE IN INDIA diesel to electric locomotive engine flagged off at Varanasi

INDIA is the first country in the world to convert diesel locomotive into an electric one, as part of its efforts to completely electrify the broad gauge network. World’s first MAKE IN INDIA diesel to electric locomotive engine flagged off at Varanasi by our respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 19^th February 2019, 10 am in the morning. This is a historical moment in Indian railways history.

Indian railway has created golden history with a MAKE IN INDIA initiative. This will increase employment opportunities in a large number. production of diesel engines will be stopped and the locomotive factory will work for the conversion of all diesel engines to electric engines.

This project was led by the first woman GM of DLW, Ms.Rashmi Goyel, the project is a definite step forward towards reducing carbon emissions and introducing new age technology in Indian Railways. The project work started on  December 22, 2017, and the new locomotive was dispatched on February 28, 2018. From concept to execution of the conversion of the diesel locomotive to electric was carried out in just 69 days. The new electric locomotive was a prototype which was then tested for further improvements and so the world’s first MAKE IN INDIA diesel to electric locomotive engine flagged off at Varanasi today. Combining two diesel engines this engine generates 10000 horsepower twice as power a normal electric engine generates.

Benefits of diesel to the electric locomotive engine to the country

• Increase in Speed of travel through railways

As the electric engine is simple in nature which makes them efficient and powerful. Electric engines do not produce much heat and noise, i.e. most of the energy produces converts into forwarding motion. On the other hand diesel engines generate much heat and noise.

• Electric Engines are Energy Saving

The electric engine uses a simple and straightforward technology. The electric engine draws power directly from the power grid, needs a transformer and a regulator to bring down the power to adequate levels. On the other hand, Diesel engines use diesel to produce energy, which is then transformed into electricity, and then again into kinetic energy, making them only around 40 percent efficient for the diesel consumed. So, 60% of energy is wasted

•  Conversion of electric engine saves maintenance & making cost associated with diesel engine

Electric engines are lightweight, consisting of only motors and wheel axles, and have almost no moving parts. On the other hand, Diesel engines have a large number of moving parts such as pistons, valves, turbines, and chains. Maintenance of Electric engines is, therefore, easier in comparison to the moving parts of a diesel engine which require constant maintenance due to wear and tear.

World’s first MAKE IN INDIA diesel to the electric locomotive engine will reduce the cost of producing engines and Indian railways financial capacity will increase by 52%. This engine has the capacity to run Goods train carrying more weight. This project will be a push towards 100% electrification in Indian railways and soon all diesel engines will be replaced by the electric engines.

• Running cost and availability of diesel

One of the major consideration for railways to prefer electric locomotive engines to diesel locomotive engines is the cost and availability of diesel. As we all know Diesel is an expensive non-renewable fuel whereas electricity is a cheaper and infinite source of energy.

Electricity can be transported easily through grid lines whereas diesel needs to use the transportation network to be supplied, which makes it difficult and rather impossible at some parts due to the difficult terrain. Although the cost of laying a 5- 6 km lines of transaction wires are higher than a new diesel engine still its can be considered as an investment and will save upon the transportation costs in few years.

Benefits of diesel to the electric locomotive engine to the environment

• Cut Down Carbon Emission

Electricity is clean energy as it uses hydropower, wind, solar and other regenerative sources. On the other hand, diesel locomotive will produce more CO2, an electric train will not generate any CO2 except for the CO2 generated while power generation using Fossil Fuels. But there is a huge shift in electricity generation using solar, wind and hydro energy through which we can expect a reduction in CO2 emission during electricity generation.

• Cut down Pollution levels

Diesel engine generates unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) or particulate matter (PM) which can have adverse health and/or environmental effects. The pollutants have adverse health implications like human cancer, lungs damage and many other health related disorders.

 More about the remarkable invention by INDIAN RAILWAY

Source of information

• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
• https://www.financialexpress.com

Indian Railways creates history! Indian Railways production unit, Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), has for the first time converted a locomotive from diesel to electric traction. A WAGC3-class diesel locomotive has been converted to electric and the new indigenous ‘Make in India’ engine delivers 5,000 HP.

Led by the first woman GM of DLW, Ms. Rashmi Goyel, the project is a definite step forward towards reducing carbon emissions and introducing new age technology in Indian Railways. A team of engineers from DLW, BHEL, RDSO, and CLW worked on the project which was completed under the guidance of Member Traction of Railway Board.

This, hopes Indian Railways, will enhance the average speed of freight trains.

Meanwhile, Indian Railways is also testing its new 12,000 HP electric locomotive that has been manufactured by Alstom at a factory in Bihar’s Madhepura. This locomotive is part of ‘Make in India’ order placed by Indian Railways for 800 electric locomotives. Two new diesel-electric locomotives have also recently been delivered to Indian Railway by GE as part of an over $2 billion ‘Make in India’ project that involves both import and manufacture of 1,000 locomotives.

Remarkable Power 

World’s first MAKE IN INDIA diesel to the electric locomotive engine has also enhanced the power of the locomotive from 2600 horsepower to 5000 horsepower. with twin capacity having 10000 horsepower.

“While midlife rehabilitation of diesel locos at a cost of around Rs 5-6 crore is inescapable and unavoidable for running of the diesel locos beyond 18 years. Only 50 percent of this expenditure will be used for conversion of diesel locomotive to the electric locomotive. Once converted, the loco will have 5000 horsepower as compared to the 2700 horsepower diesel locos.

No more diesel by Railways

“In keeping with the Indian Railways’ Mission 100 percent electrification and de-carbonization agenda, Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi has developed a new prototype electric locomotive converted from diesel locomotive. After its mandatory trials, the locomotive was launched from Varanasi to Ludhiana,” railways said.

Railway has planned to discontinue mid-life rehabilitation of diesel locomotives and has decided to convert them to the electric locomotive and utilize them till their codal life.

Economical running

The project is a step forward towards saving of traction energy cost which in turn will reduce the railway’s fuel bill and also cut down carbon emissions.

“This is a unique product of Indian Railways in more ways than one, and has been produced without causing an extra drain on the finances and first of its kind in the world,” a statement from railways said.

Well, this remarkable invention which is “World’s first make in India diesel to electric locomotive engine” makes every Indian proud. This made me throw some thoughts on this. Hope you all got some valuable information and I shall be glad to know your comments and other information which you have to share on this topic.