To combat the constraints in train movement due to steep gradients, sharp curves etc. In hilly terrain, the Northeast Frontier Railway has been initiating innovative measures from time to time. In a recent such initiative, Lumding division of N. F. Railway conducted a successful trial of hauling a full length goods train with powerful locomotives in the challenging Lumding – Badarpur hill section.
- In a historic step that promises to vastly improve the mobility of goods trains in the challenging Lumding – Badarpur hill section, Lumding division conducted the successful trial of hauling a full length goods train carrying food grains to Salchapra near Silchar, Assam.
- The goods train was hauled by a powerful WDG6 locomotive in the front, and one WDG4 locomotive in the rear as a banking engine.
- This successful effort holds the promise of eliminating the need for the use of multi – loco units in the Lumding – Badarpur section, which is presently a major cause of hindrance and slow running of goods trains in the section.
- During this trial, the freight train was able to clear the challenging Lumding – Badarpur section made up of steep gradients and sharp curves effortlessly. Loco Pilot S.N.
- Raju and Guard Subrata Das, as well as Loco Inspector D. K. Gour and Traffic Inspector Ashok Basak were on board the train.
- The whole movement of the train was monitored from the Divisional Office by a team of officers including Senior Divisional Operations Manager K. K. Sharma, Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer Himanshu Gunawat and Assistant Operations Manager Dipankar Gogoi under the overall guidance of Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding Shri J. S. Lakra.
- The new WDG6G locomotives have high horsepower and capacity to haul over 6000 Tonnes, which is proving to be immensely beneficial for train movement in the section.
- Once this new system is regularized, it will be possible to ensure faster and unhindered delivery of food grains and other essential commodities by rail to the states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram apart from the Barak Valley of Assam, benefiting the people of the region.
Source: North East Frontier Railway-Press Release | Image Credit (representational): North East Frontier Railway
