2019 starts with 150 smart coaches

Indian Railways (IR) has decided to completely switch over to manufacture of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) design main line coaches from 2018-19 onwards.

The production of LHB coaches in Production Units has continuously increased over the years Production of LHB coaches from 2004-05 to 2013-14 was 2,327 coaches, whereas 5,548 coaches were produced from 2014-15 to 2017-18.

During 2018-19, IR proposes to manufacture 4,016 coaches, said Ministry of Railways in a year-end update released on 29 Dec 2018.

Highlights:

Tender for 150 smart coaches is being finalized with production expected to start from January 2019.

Smart Coach, first rolled out in September 2018, provides better safety passenger amenities as well as enabling predictive maintenance.

Diagnostic system monitor bearing vibrations provide advance information on health of bearing wheel & track.

In addition, coach has been provided with wheel slip protection monitoring, water level indicator, Wi-Fi, infotainment system with emergency talk back and passenger announcement and information system along with digital destination board.

A new coach manufacturing factory has been sanctioned at Latur in Maharashtra. Estimated cost Rs.492.73 crore, the factory will manufacture 250 Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) coaches per year, which will replace slow moving conventional passenger trains.

Construction of boundary wall, test shops, ancillary building and track connectivity is progressing.

The following projects have been sanctioned for the North East region:
Workshop for refurbishing of LHB coaches at New Bongaigaon at the cost of Rs.90 Crore, sanctioned in the year 2017-18. Tender awarded and work is to start shortly.

Provision of Diesel Electric Multiple Unit/Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit Shed at Lumding. Tender awarded and work is to start shortly on the Rs.73.67 crore project.

IR has sanctioned Rs.486.76 crore for augmenting the capacity of Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, from 1,700 to 2,750 coaches per year. Work is progressing.

Similarly, Rs.480 crore has been sanctioned for augmentation of production capacity of MCF Rae Bareli from 1,000 to 2,000 coaches per annum. Tender is being finalized.

IR is set to use robotics widely.

Important Projects

Electric Locomotive Factory, Madhepura in Bihar, a make in India Project.

As a first step of attracting private investment and FDI in Indian Railways, contract for setting up Electric Locomotive Factory at Madhepura in Bihar to manufacture 800 High Horsepower Electric Locomotive (12,000 hp capacity) was signed between Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), joint venture of Ministry of Railways and Alstom Manufacturing India Limited.

First phase of the factory has been completed. First locomotive has been rolled out from the factory and is undergoing tests & trials. Further four locomotives are targeted to be supplied in 2018-19.

Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowra in Bihar, also a make in India Project.

Contract for setting up Diesel Locomotive Factory at Marhowra/Bihar to manufacture 1,000 High Horsepower Diesel Locomotive (4500/6000 hp capacity) was signed between GE Diesel Locomotive Private Limited (GEDLPL), joint venture of Ministry of Railways and GE Global Sourcing India Limited.

Construction of the factory is on schedule. Two Prototype locomotives (4,500 hp) were handed over to Indian Railways in February 2018 by the company.

After tests/trials these locomotives have been accepted for commercial service. Fifty locomotives have been supplied, 19 of which are in commercial service.

Total 98 locomotives are targeted to be supplied in 2018-19.

Electric Locomotives:
New Era of Green Technology – HOG power supply:
All Passenger (WAP7) locos turned out by CLW during 2017-18 are fitted with Hotel Load Converters. The main benefits of this system are supply of pollution free and cheaper power from OHE as compared to End on Generation (EOG) system besides other advantages like reduction of carbon emission, noise level and consumption of fossil fuels helping in protecting the environment. There is a saving of around Rs.1.5 lakh per day per pair of rake by using HOG supply.

47 locos have been provided with HOG during the first nine months of 2018-19 (up to October 18) as compared to 43 during last year.

WAP-5 locomotive in push-pull mode:
Operation of Twin WAP5 loco in push-pull mode has been planned which has faster acceleration, faster braking and substantially lowered coupler forces.

One pair of WAP-5 loco and rake has been modified and Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Runs (CoCR) Trial has been carried out by RDSO from Delhi (NZM) to Mumbai (Bandra Terminal) from 07.10.18 to 13.10.18. During the trials, a saving of 83 minutes running time was recorded.

Upgradation of Electric locomotives:

It is planned to upgrade the existing 6000 HP WAG9H locos to 9000 HP to improve the hauling speeds of freight trains. It is a Make in India initiative already started at CLW. First locomotive is expected to be commissioned by Jan 2019.

Similarly, it has been decided necessary to upgrade existing WAP-7 locomotives from 6000 HP to 9000 HP to haul 24 coach trains at balancing speed upto 140 kmph.

Process of development of High Horse Power Passenger locomotives (9000 hp) has already been initiated by CLW. First locomotive is expected to be commissioned by Mar 2019.

Design review for enhancement of speed from 140 kmph to 160 kmph has been completed and manufacturing process has been initiated at CLW and first locomotive is to be rolled out by January 2019.

Indian Railways has created history by first-ever conversion of a locomotive from diesel to electric traction. The conversion of Diesel locomotive into Electric locomotive is a highly specialized and unique work which was not done earlier in traction application worldwide.

Two diesel locos (Alco) have been successfully converted to electric and sanction for operation of twin WAGC3 Electric locomotive converted from WDG3A Diesel locomotives has been issued.

Diesel HHP locomotive have also been successfully converted to electric and are under trial.

Electric loco production at CLW:
CLW has produced 350 electric locos during the year 2017-18 as against 292 in 2016-17. A new milestone has also been set by CLW in the process by becoming largest loco manufacturer in the world under single roof. fiinews.com