Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), the Premier Electric Locomotive Production Unit of Indian Railways, has achieved a remarkable milestone in Locomotive production. For the first time in CLW history Locomotive production has crossed 500th in a year.
More Details:
The Previous best production of CLW was 486 locos in the year 2021-22. The 500th & 501st locomotive, WAG-9 HC TWIN (No.38378 & 38379) was flagged off by senior most supervisors and Staff of different shops & departments retiring in the month of January, 2024, in presence of Shri Hitendra Malhotra, General Manager from the CLW workshop premises. This is the highest & best ever production so far in the history of CLW, crossing the previous best of 486 locos produced during FY 21-22.
The flagging off was attended by Principal Heads of Departments, Senior Officers, supervisors, and staff. The pace of production exemplifies our resolve to hard work, dedication and strategic planning of the entire CLW team. Shri Hitendra Malhotra, General Manager congratulated the entire ‘Team CLW’ for this stupendous achievement and set the next target to achieve best quality among all Production Units of Indian Railways.
Here are some other Achievements by CLW:
In our efforts to add a new chapter in locomotive production, CLW has produced the WAG-9 HC twin locomotive. This innovation is suitable for heavy haulage. This twin locomotive has many salient features such as:
- Permanently connected two WAG-9 locomotives with 12000 HP rating and suitable for heavy hauling.
- COCO bogie used for twin loco giving better tractive effort.
- RTIS (Real Time Train Information System) is implemented for remotely watching locomotives running at control rooms.
- Both inner cabs are modified as flat cabs.
- Vestibule is used for moving from one cab of one locomotive to another cab of a second locomotive.
- Toilet is installed in lead cabs, for the use of loco pilots. The loco pilots can’t use it when the locomotive is in moving condition.
- Twin locos can be detached from each other and can be moved from both flat ends also, if required.
- At a standstill condition, the locomotive has a feature to switch over to Energy saving mode, so as to ensure low power consumption.
- It is hoped that the production of WAG-9 HC twin locomotives will help IR for better operation of loaded trains (5500 Metric tonne) on gradient & level sections both.
Operation of Amrit Bharat Express train by CLW manufactured Push-Pull Locomotives:
Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) and Malda Town Bengaluru (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal) Amrit Bharat Express train was flagged off from Ayodhya city on 30 December 2023 by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to serve the country. Amrit Bharat Express has 22 coaches comprising 8 general coaches, 12 sleeper and 2 SLRs.
- In these two Amrit Bharat trains, Push-Pull configuration two WAP-5 locomotives with aerodynamic design manufactured by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) have been used.
- This is a matter of pride and joy for the CLW family. Based on Push-Pull configuration, Amrit Bharat Express has one locomotive at each end of the train.
- The engine at the front of the train pulls the train while the one at the rear pushes it.
- CLW manufactured WAP-5 Push-Pull loco fitted in Amrit Bharat Trains has many features like HOG, KAVACH, CVVRS, RTIS.
- HOG is an energy supply system whereby power for lights, fans, air conditioning and cooking equipment in train coaches is provided by the locomotive.
- With the use of this system there will be no need for the generator car currently used, saving costly fuel.
Provision of KAVACH: This WAP-5 Push-Pull loco is manufactured with Automatic Protection System, which prevents two trains from colliding with each other.
Provision of CVVRS: It records video of loco pilots present in the loco driving cab and activities going on in the loco. It also records the view in front of the locomotive.
RTIS: This is a Real Time Train Information System, it transfers the data of running locos to the server in real time. The location and speed of railway engines equipped with RTIS can be seen in the control room of the railways.
- In comparison to Vande Bharat train, the cost of Amrit Bharat train will be almost half. Its speed limit is 130 kmph as compared to Vande Bharat’s speed limit of 160 kmph. This achievement is possible due to the dedicated efforts of the officers and employees of Team CLW. CLW will continue to make more locomotives using Push-pull technology in future.
Future Outlook:
CLW remains committed to innovation and excellence, aiming to continue producing locomotives with advanced technologies like Push-Pull configuration, ensuring cost-effectiveness and operational reliability for Indian Railways.
Source: CLW- Press Release | Images Credit: MoR
