Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

This thread is an ocean of loco info....

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Thank you for the compliment....The bare fact have been shared here, There is THREE TIMES the data shared here regarding the various aspects of the Locos which had not been posted here to avoid going too Technical. ...things like Steam Loco development and construction metallurgy, cylinders and their various aspects, wheel,chassis etc., on the Diesel Locos, the Drive Motors construction,refurbishing,improvements , suspension, ...the chassis construction and integration, improvements, Diesel engine improvements, drive electronics improvements and circuitry etc., on the Electric Locos, all aspects of the drive train, single to three phase split, drive control improvements, improvements in traction" creep " control etc., ... It would become voluminous ,and the effort here is to Share The Fundamentals of the Different type of Power Generation, Utilization and Traction....

The response to the posts on this thread had been Heartening, from Members and esp., their Children , who had queried for details ....
I feel Happy and Satisfied that I am able to share what little I know and for being useful...

Thanks to RDSO and The Ministry for Railways for openly Sharing different Plans and improvements .

Thanks to Xbhp for giving the opportunity

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

I have a question on electric trains (may be dumb question, but I don't know ), we all know that engine gets electricity from over head wires all the way, my question is that in electricity there are two terminals (positive & negative) so how these things are managed in trains or metro, how these trains gets current for running the engine from single over head wire, I travel daily in Delhi Metro I can see their engines are so small & silent and yet very efficient, can we have some detail info on these machines as well as like diesel loco's...

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Thanks for the question... Kindly go to page 12 and post 112 for details. If you need further clarification do post a query...

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Here is a Video on the Indian Track Lay/repair/replace equipment..... amazing Equipment...

Amazing railway track replace rails and sleepers - YouTube


A video on Thermite Exothermic Welding of track...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uxsFglz2ig

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

The Bullet Train Proposal between Bangalore and Chennai had been dropped . The viability study was done by a group of visiting Engineers from CHINA and they had recommended straightening of 13 curves. This would lead to accession of land and extensive work in strengthening of Existing track to bear the high speed train axle pounding.....Looking at the overall picture of complicity and finance involved , The High Speed train between Bangalore and Chennai had been given up.

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Thats better...I guess the Shatabdhi itself is much better train for us to travel. Considering the present ticket price of the Shatabdhi...Bullet trains ticket price will soar even higer. And with the complication involved in laying such a sophisticated transit system and the maintenance (which we are well reknowed of ), its better we run on usual guages

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Sad, but truth is do we really need bullet trains don't we & our so called gov have to improve, make it safe & convenient first what we have. I cant imagine what will happen with bullet train in gov hands as we can see Indian Railways

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Progress has to take place in time..If we had not done so, India will still be chugging along on Steam Locos and at 60 Kmph speeds....taking days to travel even short distances....Good Governance with monitoring and innovations had taken our Railways a step ahead of other Developing Countries...In other countries High Speed trains compete with Air lines for occupancy at lower rates.. This is possible since the Trains now travel at 250~350 Kmph ...We are on the verge of 150 Kmph travel , and hope the track and infrastructure strengthening goes on as per schedule.....Already Shatapthis are run on specific routes and sections at 150 Kmph...
Let us hope Our Safety methods ensure less accidents and loss of life...

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

To run a Fast Train we need fencing of track to stop Cattle and much worse Humans from loitering around...There are Fools who think they can beat a train at crossings, and only Divine intervention had saved them...Few Videos to show the action of these morons on track....The Loco Pilot must have had a tough time....

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

The abandoned prposal for a bullet train between Chennai and Mysuru, is now being re-considered as a fast train....As requested by IR, the China Railways had submitted a new proposal ,wherein straightening of curves is given up, and a 2 degree curve which would facilitate speed of 100 Kmph through the curve is being proposed. In straight line the speeds are expected to be 160 Kmph and track strengthening for the same is also proposed.
In addition to this, Chennai to Coimbatore and Kanyakumari routes are also being considered for increase in speed and frequency. Doubling of tracks and strengthening have also been proposed.
China railways and IR are considering all possibilities for a Bullet train from Delhi to Chennai.

The coming years will definitely see an increase in Train Speeds with safety, and lesser travel time....a direct threat to Aviation...

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Japan had agreed to invest upto 140 Billion in Indian Railways to modernize the Coaches , Stations , and Safe running of the Trains.A Japanese delegation will soon be visiting India to study the opportunities for industries in the railway station development plan of railways.

Under this railway station development plan, Indian Railways has identified 400 railway stations across India which will be upgraded with the help of Japan investment. They have also agreed to provide their expertise in solving problems of sanitation including the development of waterless, odourless toilets in trains and at stations.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu, is in visit to Japan to strengthen cooperation in rail sector, held a series of meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, deputy Prime Minister and finance minister Taro Aso among other ministers and senior officials.
Japan has agreed to assist the public transporter in achieving its zero-accident mission.
Railways research wing – Research Designs & Standards Organization (RDSO), will sign an MoU with Railway Technical Research Institute of Japan to carry out research work on acquiring modern technology for the public transporter, as per the finalization of the action plan..

As such an improved AC sleeper Coach indigenously developed has much improved internal facilities and comfort...

Here is an image of the improved coach...

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

I don't know how much our users are ready to use these stuff properly. Sometime I want to kill those who destroy or deface public property

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Sir, it looks stunning. Hope they do really take care of it and also people who travel in these coaches must be educated to keep it clean(or atleast , they should have some respect coming from within). Else one should take the law in his own hands if he/she finds someone damaging/defacing the goverment property.

Re: An INTRO to Locomotives..Steam /Diesel Electric / Electric.

Yes what you have said is very true. But in my 25 yrs of constant travel in Indian Railways, there is a pattern consistent throughout the time which sticks out ....the Best made Coaches are first offered to Nothern part of India, and second only to South..Still the Coaches in South India are Comparatively Cleaner and well looked after...the same goes for the Tracks. All these years I have observed that the retaining bolts, pins of track are always there in South side tracks, while in North many times I had seen them missing...Every time I used to travel beyond Southern areas ...even in Andhra, I will be Tense since the way the whole coach rocks and sway due to pliable Track ,used to make the travel a scary experience... ...Some how the commitment to quality maintenance is missing.
With the Introduction of Concrete Sleepers throughout India, track maintenance and Replacement had become better and quicker.....and Train Travel is comparatively much safer and pleasant...

Still People haven't changed as much as the facilities are getting upgraded..

There is a General feeling among the Traveling public that Govt., properties should be used/abused since it is not their own....

I hope Like in West, There is a separate place to keep the passenger luggage and it doesn't get shoved under the seat, and all over the seat too.. Indians tend to travel heavy...carry things more than required ....


Our Generation is putting in place a better Travel experience , and let us hope ,the future generation maintains and take it up to higher level..