Railways to upgrade trains with 6,000-HP locos

The Indian Railways is set to bolster its fleet of passenger trains by procuring new, more efficient locomotives with a powerful 6,000 horsepower engine. These pairs of engines will be deployed in a push-pull configuration to enhance the performance of older trains, according to senior railway officials. The advanced engines will be acquired through supply and maintenance agreements with private or public sector technology providers.

This upgrade will eliminate the need for a separate power generator car in trains, which supplies power for amenities like lighting, fans, and air conditioning. By doing so, passengers will benefit from a more comfortable travel experience on trains that are not equipped with the Vande Bharat technology. A pair of these locomotives will generate a combined 12,000 horsepower, resulting in improved acceleration and the ability for compatible conventional trains to reach speeds of up to 160 kmph on upgraded routes.

The existing horsepower capacity of conventional passenger locomotives typically falls within the 5,000-6,000 horsepower range. Unlike the Vande Bharat trains, where the traction equipment is integrated beneath the coaches in a self-propelled train set, the proposed system will modernize locomotive-hauled services while still allowing the use of conventional coaches.