Indian locomotive class WDG-6G

The Indian locomotive class WDG-6G (GE ES57ACi)[1] is a class of diesel-electric locomotive used by the Indian Railways for freight duty. The locomotive is a higher power variant of the WDG-4G locomotive which was also designed by General Electric. The design platform is based on the GE Evolution Series and features a 4-stroke 16-cylinder fully turbocharged engine which delivers around 6,000 horsepower (4,500 kW), making it the most powerful diesel locomotive of IR (second-most being the WDG-5 aka EMD GT50AC).[2] It is the only 6,000 HP Diesel electric locomotive at 23t/axle weight, making it the lightest locomotive in its category in the world.

WDG-6G
Gandhidham based WDG-6G at Ghaziabad
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
DesignerGE Transportation India, Bengaluru
BuilderGE Transportation, Erie, Pennsylvania, Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowrah
ModelES57ACi
Build date2019 - present
Total produced92 as of October 2023
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)Broad Gauge
BogiesCo-Co Fabricated Bogie
Wheel diameterNew: 1,092 mm (43.0 in)
Condemned: 1,016 mm (40.0 in)
Minimum curve174 m (571 ft) radius
Wheelbase1,900 mm (1.9 m)
Pivot centres14,224 mm (14.224 m)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers22,313 mm (22.313 m)
Width3,200 mm (3.2 m)
Height4,227 mm (4.227 m)
Axle load23 t (23,000 kg)
Loco weight138,000 kg (138 t)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity8,300 L (1,800 imp gal; 2,200 US gal)
Lubricant cap.1,300 L (290 imp gal; 340 US gal)
Coolant cap.1,468 L (323 imp gal; 388 US gal)
Sandbox cap.170 L (37 imp gal; 45 US gal)
Prime moverGE GEVO-16
Engine RPM:
 • Maximum RPM		1050 rpm
Engine typeV16 Diesel engine, 4-stroke engine
Aspirationturbocharged
Displacement15.7L per cylinder
Alternator5GDY131B
Traction motors5GEB32B5 AC traction motors
Cylinders16
Cylinder size250 mm × 320 mm (9.8 in × 12.6 in)
Transmissiondiesel electric
Gear ratio85:16
MU workingYes, AAR Type
Loco brakeAir, Dynamic Brake
Train brakesAir
Compressor178 CFM @ 145 psig
CouplersCBC AAR Type-E
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output6,000 hp (4,500 kW)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting570 kN (130,000 lbf)
 • Continuous420 kN (94,000 lbf)
Brakeforce290 kN (65,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers69001+
NicknamesANGAD
LocaleRoza (Uttar Pradesh), Gandhidham (Gujarat), Gooty (Andhra Pradesh)
DispositionActive

Import and manufacture

Two units were produced by Wabtec's plant in Pennsylvania, United States, and delivered to India in 2019.[3] Initially, a few will be made in USA. Under the 'Make in India' initiative of Indian Government, GE will manufacture all remaining units at its factory in Marhowra, Bihar. GE has also built maintenance sheds at Roza in UP and Gandhidham in Gujarat.

Field trials

The first two locomotives in the series, 69001 and 69002, were recently sent to South Central Railways' Maula Ali (MLY) Diesel Locomotive Shed. The locos underwent Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials on the Vikarabad – Parli section of South Central Railway [4] and were approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation for further field trials on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by Roza Locomotive Shed.

Locomotive sheds
ZoneNameShed codeQuantity
Northern RailwayRozaROZA25
Western Railway Gandhidham GIMB 37
South Central Railway Gooty GY 30
Total Locomotives Active as of October 2023 [5]92

See also

References
  1. "ES57ACi Locomotive". Wabtec Corporation. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  2. "Soon, "most powerful" WDG-6G diesel locomotive from GE to debut on Indian Railways tracks". financialexpress.com. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/railways-to-induct-countrys-most-powerful-diesel-locomotive-soon/article28066175.ece Railways to induct country's most powerful locomotive soon
  4. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/first-ge-locomotive-to-be-tested-on-scr-tracks/article28068068.ece First GE locomotive to be tested on SCR tracks
  5. "Railway Website Mechanical Department". Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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