The Indian Railways has successfully converted an old diesel locomotive to electric. The conversion was carried out by Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) in Varanasi as part of an effort by the Indian Railways to completely electrify its broad-gauge network.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Varanasi on Tuesday to flag off the first such converted engine and inspect it as well.
The work on the project began on 22 December 2017. From concept to execution, the railways claims the conversion of the diesel locomotive to electric was carried out in just 69 days.
In keeping with the Indian Railways' mission of 100 percent electrification and de-carbonisation, DLW has developed a new prototype electric locomotive converted from an old diesel locomotive.
Converting old diesel locomotive engines to electric is a good way for the Indian Railways to save costs and recycle old locomotives, without having to buy new ones. The process of conversion is fairly straightforward.
The chassis and body of the old WDG-3 Class diesel locomotive is retained, but the diesel engine is removed. A pantograph is fitted to the roof to draw power from the overhead line, while an electric motor takes the place of the diesel engine.
The locomotive is capable of producing 10,000 bhp of power, which can haul about 5,000 tonnes of weight.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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