Alstom's e-Locomotive WAG-12 receives speed certificate to run at 120 kmph

WAG-12 Electric Locomotive (Photo: Alstom)

Lucknow, India (Urban Transport News): Ministry of Railways and Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO) have given their approval to run Alstom's 12000 HP Electric Locomotives to run freight trains at a maximum speed of 120 kilometre per hour, said in an official release today.

The first of the 12000-HP, Prima T8 electric locomotive was put into commercial service by Indian Railways in May this year. The electric locomotive which is known locally by the designation WAG-12 – are the most powerful locomotives to run on Indian tracks. Cumulatively, these electric locomotives have already clocked over 1 million kilometres, thus providing a significant fillip to the country’s freight logistics landscape.

According to Alstom, these electric locos will allow faster and safer movement of heavier freight trains capable to haul ~6000 tonnes at a top speed of 120 kmph. Planned to be deployed for operations on major freight routes of Indian Railways including the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), they are expected to increase the average speed of freight trains in India by at least 20-25 kmph.

Commenting on this achievement, Alain SPOHR, Managing Director, Alstom India & South Asia said:

The approval from RDSO is indeed a matter of pride for all of us at Alstom and a testimony of our technical expertise in partnership with the Indian Railways. In line with India’s push towards self-reliance, we have successfully leveraged our local engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Alstom is also committed to support IR in reducing its carbon footprint and adopt cleaner technologies in its quest to transform into the world’s largest Green Railway network. India is a priority for Alstom, and we are committed to work closely with the Indian Railways for all their future modernization endeavours.

“Equipped with Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) based propulsion technology, it would lead to considerable savings in energy consumption due to use of regenerative braking. The technology is also helpful towards making the acceleration process more efficient by reducing the heat generation and traction noise. Additionally, this move will not only bring down operational costs, but also reduce the congestion faced by Indian Railways”, he added.

Here are some salient features of the WAG12B (12000 HP) Electric Locomotive:

• The WAG12B ('W'ide/broad Gauge 'A'C Electric 'G'oods/freight, Class'12','B'Modified Bogie) is a three-phase, twin-section electric freight locomotive consisting of two identical sections, each of which rests on twin-axle bogies.
• The manufacturing of WAG12B (12000 HP) Electric Locomotive was commenced after Indian Railways signed a record deal in November 2015 with Alstom for the development of 800 high-horsepower electric freight locomotives.
• The locomotive will be used in the Dedicated Freight Corridors to haul freight trains weighing more than 6,000 tonnes at speeds of 100 km/h to 120 km/h, essentially doubling the average speed of freight trains in the sector.
• Manufacturing of first Class WAG12 Electric Locomotive, 60001, was completed on 10 March 2018 as part of the Prima family.
• The locomotive incorporates special features based on the Alstom Prima T8 for operations in humid or dusty environments and extreme temperatures (ranging from −58 °F to 122 °F.
• The cabin of the locomotive is comparatively larger and offers better comfort for drivers, especially during long-distance operations. The locomotives are equipped with climate control systems such as air conditioners, food preparation and storage facilities, and even a toilet facility.
• Around 85-90% of the components for the Locomotive were procured from within India.
• The all-weather transformers are supplied by ABB which was produced in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• German brake manufacturing firm Knorr-Bremse has supplied power brakes which were produced in Palwal, Haryana.
• The couplers of the locomotive were designed and developed by the French Railway company Faiveley Transport.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the advent of Unlock 1.0, Alstom restarted significant production at all its manufacturing facilities, ensuring all necessary permissions and adhering to government protocols. The company’s focus is to give maximum support and protection to all teams and the workforce in the present adverse situation.