Indian locomotive class WDM-4 - Revision history

99notes: updated page

2025-12-02T19:37:07Z

updated page

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:07, 3 December 2025
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			{{Short description\|Class of diesel-electric locomotives}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=May 2020}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=May 2020}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date = ~~May 2020~~}}		{{Use mdy dates\|date=June 2025}}
			{{multiple issues\|
			{{more citations needed\|date=August 2024}}
			{{Missing information\|locomotive disposition\|date=June 2025}}
			}}
	{{Infobox locomotive		{{Infobox locomotive
	\| name = WDM-4<ref name=IRFCAspecs>{{cite web \|title=IRFCAspecs \|url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WDM-4}}</ref>		\| name = WDM-4<ref name=IRFCAspecs>{{cite web \|title=IRFCAspecs \|url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WDM-4}}</ref>
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	\| image = WDM-4 18001 locomotive.jpg		\| image = WDM-4 18001 locomotive.jpg
	\| caption = Preserved loco at [[National Rail Museum, New Delhi]]		\| caption = Preserved loco at [[National Rail Museum, New Delhi]]
	\| builder = [[Electro-Motive ~~Diesels~~]]		\| builder = [[Electro-Motive Diesel]]
	\| buildmodel = [[EMD G16\|GT16]]		\| buildmodel = [[EMD G16\|EMD GT16]] (based on [[EMD SD24]])
	\| builddate = ~~1962~~		\| builddate = 1961–1962
	\| totalproduction = 72		\| totalproduction = 72
	\| ~~aarwheels = C-C~~		\|Britishclass=[[Co-Co locomotive\|Co-Co]]
	~~\| uicclass~~ = [[Co-Co ~~locomotives~~\|Co-Co]]~~, Co'Co'~~		\|uicclass=Co′Co′
	\| gauge = {{track gauge\|1676mm\|lk=on}}		\| gauge = {{track gauge\|1676mm\|lk=on}}
	\| bogies = [[Flexicoil suspension\|Flexicoil]] Mark I cast steel		\| bogies = [[Flexicoil suspension\|Flexicoil]] Mark I cast steel
	\| locoweight = {{convert\|112800\|kg\|abbr=on}}		\| locoweight = {{convert\|112800\|kg\|abbr=on}}
			\| axleload = 18.8 tonnes
	\| fueltype = [[Diesel fuel]]		\| fueltype = [[Diesel fuel]]
			\| primemover = [[Electro-Motive Diesel\|EMD]] [[EMD 567\|16-567D3A]]
	\| enginetype = [[Two-stroke engine\|two-stroke]] [[V16 engine\|V16]] [[Diesel engine\|diesel]]		\| enginetype = [[Two-stroke engine\|two-stroke]] [[V16 engine\|V16]] [[Diesel engine\|diesel]]
	\| aspiration = [[Turbocharger\|Turbo]]-[[Supercharger\|Supercharged]]		\| aspiration = [[Turbocharger\|Turbo]]-[[Supercharger\|Supercharged]]
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	\| locale =[[Northern Railway zone\|Northern Railway]]		\| locale =[[Northern Railway zone\|Northern Railway]]
	\| withdrawndate = 2001		\| withdrawndate = 2001
	~~\| preservedunits = 2 (#18001, #18086)~~		\| disposition =
	\| disposition = ~~Withdrawn~~
	}}		}}
	The Indian locomotive class '''WDM-4''' is a class of [[~~diesel-electric~~ locomotive]] that was developed in 1962 by [[Electro-Motive ~~Diesels\|General Motors~~]] ~~(GM-EMD)~~ for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway\|broad gauge (W)]], Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in 1962. A total of 72 WDM-4 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1962.		The Indian locomotive class '''WDM-4''' is a class of [[diesel–electric locomotive]] that was developed in 1962 by [[Electro-Motive Diesel]] for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway\|broad gauge (W)]], Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in 1962. A total of 72 WDM-4 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1962.

	Despite the introduction of more modern types of locomotives like [[Indian locomotive class WAP-1\|WAP-1]] and electrification,the WDM-4 was one of the most fastest locomotives of Indian Railways serving both passenger and freight trains for over 38 years. A few decommissioned WDM-4 units were exported to [[Bangladesh Railway\|Bangladesh]]. As of January 2020, all 72 locomotives have been withdrawn form service with 2 units being preserved.

	==Origin ==		==Origin ==
	The history of WDM-4 begins in the early 1960s with the stated aim of the [[Indian Railways]] to remove [[~~Steam~~ locomotive~~\|steam locomotives~~]] from Indian Rails after recommendation of Karnail Singh Fuel Committee.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Report of the expert Committee on Coal Consumption on Railways, 1958\|url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/report-expert-committee-coal-consumption-railways-1958\|website=INDIAN CULTURE\|language=en\|access-date=2020~~-04-29~~}}</ref> Therefore required building a large number of [[Co-Co locomotives\|Co-Co]] diesel locomotives producing at least 2,600 HP (1,900 kW) with [[road switcher]] cabs to achieve this aim. Thus Indian Railways began looking at various [[Diesel-electric train\|diesel-electric]] designs.		The history of WDM-4 begins in the early 1960s with the stated aim of the [[Indian Railways]] to remove [[steam locomotive]]s from Indian Rails after recommendation of Karnail Singh Fuel Committee.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Report of the expert Committee on Coal Consumption on Railways, 1958\|url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/report-expert-committee-coal-consumption-railways-1958\|website=INDIAN CULTURE\|language=en\|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> Therefore, required building a large number of [[Co-Co locomotives\|Co-Co]] diesel locomotives producing at least 2,600 hp (1,900 kW) with [[road switcher]] cabs to achieve this aim. Thus Indian Railways began looking at various [[Diesel-electric train\|diesel-electric]] designs.

	Initially, the Indian railways invited tenders to build locomotives to the new specification. The following responses were received:		Initially, the Indian railways invited tenders to build locomotives to the new specification. The following responses were received:

	* General Motors (EMD) submitted their [[EMD SD24\|SD24]], given model number GT16 for the India export version.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=wdm3_001.jpg\|url=https://www.irfca.org/gallery/Locos/Diesel/wdm1_4_5_6_7/wdm3_001.jpg.html\|website=www.irfca.org\|access-date=2020~~-04-29~~}}</ref> They had Co-Co bogies with 16-cylinder 2-stroke turbo-supercharged engines.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=WDM-4 specs for IR\|url=https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDM4.PDF}}</ref>		* General Motors (EMD) submitted their [[EMD SD24\|SD24]], given model number GT16 for the India export version.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=wdm3_001.jpg\|url=https://www.irfca.org/gallery/Locos/Diesel/wdm1_4_5_6_7/wdm3_001.jpg.html\|website=www.irfca.org\|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> They had Co-Co bogies with 16-cylinder 2-stroke turbo-supercharged engines.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=WDM-4 specs for IR\|url=https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDM4.PDF}}</ref>
	* [[American Locomotive Company\|ALCO]] submitted their model(RSD29 / [[ALCO DL560C\|DL560C]]) with ~~2600~~ hp, 16-cylinder, 4-stroke turbo-supercharged engine with Co-Co bogies.		* [[American Locomotive Company\|ALCO]] submitted their model (RSD29 / [[ALCO DL560C\|DL560C]]) with 2,600 hp, 16-cylinder, 4-stroke turbo-supercharged engine with Co-Co bogies.

	Each company submitted their prototypes and Indian Railways designated these prototypes as the WDM-4 class and [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2\|WDM-2]] class respectively.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives - General Information - I\|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco.html#class\|website=www.irfca.org\|access-date=2020~~-04-18~~}}</ref> It is not known as to why Indian Railways decided to classify it as WDM-4, as no WDM-3 class existed when they were ordered.Technologically the General Motors WDM-4 was superior to ALCO WDM-2, but Indian Railways required a transfer of technology agreement that would allow these locomotives to be indigenously manufactured in India. Since General Motors did not agree to the transfer of technology agreement, the ALCO prototype was selected for production.		Each company submitted their prototypes and Indian Railways designated these prototypes as the WDM-4 class and [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2\|WDM-2]] class respectively.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives - General Information - I\|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco.html#class\|website=www.irfca.org\|access-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref> It is not known as to why Indian Railways decided to classify it as WDM-4, as no WDM-3 class existed when they were ordered. Technologically the General Motors WDM-4 was superior to ALCO WDM-2, but Indian Railways required a transfer of technology agreement that would allow these locomotives to be indigenously manufactured in India. Since General Motors did not agree to the transfer of technology agreement, the ALCO prototype was selected for production.

	However, even before the arrival of WDM-4 another type of diesel locomotive was imported from ALCO in 1957. This locomotive was classified as [[Indian locomotive class WDM-1\|WDM-1]].<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Four decades of service: The early workhorses of India's diesel age - National Rail Museum\|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/four-decades-of-service-the-early-workhorses-of-india-s-diesel-age/-gKCw2asIUlWLg\|website=Google Arts & Culture\|language=en\|access-date=2020~~-04-29~~}}</ref> However WDM-1s were not selected for mass production because of having only one forward cab at one end ~~which needed a lot~~ of ~~turntables~~.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Diesel Locomotive Roster – The WDM (ALCO) Series\|url=https://24coaches.com/indian-railways-wdm-series/\|date=2013~~-10-30~~\|website=24 Coaches\|language=en-US\|access-date=2020~~-04-29~~}}</ref>		However, even before the arrival of WDM-4 another type of diesel locomotive was imported from ALCO in 1957. This locomotive was classified as [[Indian locomotive class WDM-1\|WDM-1]].<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Four decades of service: The early workhorses of India's diesel age - National Rail Museum\|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/four-decades-of-service-the-early-workhorses-of-india-s-diesel-age/-gKCw2asIUlWLg\|website=Google Arts & Culture\|language=en\|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> However, WDM-1s were not selected for mass production because of having only one forward cab at one end, necessitating turntables for the driver's field of view.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Diesel Locomotive Roster – The WDM (ALCO) Series\|url=https://24coaches.com/indian-railways-wdm-series/\|date=October 30, 2013\|website=24 Coaches\|language=en-US\|access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref>

	==Service history==		==Service history==
	The WDM-4 locomotives were capable of hauling both freight and passenger trains, however they were primarily used on passenger service. The WDM-4 was India's first [[Electro-Motive Diesel\|EMD]] locomotive, and a model of GT16.<ref name="EMD GT16 Order Numbers">{{cite web\|title=TrainWeb.org\|url=http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/gt16.htm}}</ref> These were the fastest locomotives in India until the arrival of WAP-3 engines.		The WDM-4 locomotives were capable of hauling both freight and passenger trains, however they were primarily used on passenger service. The WDM-4 was India's first [[Electro-Motive Diesel\|EMD]] locomotive, and a model of GT16.<ref name="EMD GT16 Order Numbers">{{cite web\|title=TrainWeb.org\|url=http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/gt16.htm}}</ref> These were the fastest locomotives in India until the arrival of WAP-3 engines.

	For some trains, WDM-4 engines had to double-head, as they normally could only pull 9 coaches. For the 18 car [[Rajdhani Express]] trains, this was common practice. WDM-4s hauled several high-profile express trains, including the [[Himgiri Superfast Express\|Himgiri]] Express and [[Doon Express\|Doon]] Express. WDM-4s also rarely hauled goods trains, and were primarily assigned to [[Mughalsarai Junction railway station\|Mughalsarai]] (MGS). By late 1990s significant number were still in use, both in mainline and departmental duties.

	~~==Disposition==~~
	Of the 72 WDM-4 locomotives, only 2 are officially preserved. #18001, the first locomotive, is preserved at the [[National Rail Museum, New Delhi\|National Rail Museum]], while 18086 is plinthed at [[Lucknow]] Diesel Locomotive Shed. #18004, #18022, #18098 and #18107 were purchased by [[Ircon International]] and sent to [[Bangladesh]] for construction work, but were withdrawn due to age.

	~~== Locomotive shed ==~~
	* All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

	==See also==		==See also==
Line 70:		Line 66:
	{{EMD misc}}		{{EMD misc}}

	[[Category:~~Diesel-electric~~ locomotives of India\|M-4]]		{{DEFAULTSORT:WDM-4}}
			[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of India\|M-4]]
	[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]		[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
	[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1962]]		[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1962]]
	[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]		[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
	[[Category:Electro-Motive Division locomotives]]		[[Category:Electro-Motive Division locomotives]]

>Vatsmaxed at 07:00, 1 April 2021

2021-04-01T07:00:02Z

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = May 2020}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = WDM-4<ref name=IRFCAspecs>{{cite web |title=IRFCAspecs |url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WDM-4}}</ref>
| powertype = Diesel
| image = WDM-4 18001 locomotive.jpg
| caption = Preserved loco at [[National Rail Museum, New Delhi]]
| builder = [[Electro-Motive Diesels]]
| buildmodel = [[EMD G16|GT16]]
| builddate = 1962
| totalproduction = 72
| aarwheels = C-C
| uicclass = [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]], Co'Co'
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
| bogies = [[Flexicoil suspension|Flexicoil]] Mark I cast steel
| locoweight = {{convert|112800|kg|abbr=on}}
| fueltype = [[Diesel fuel]]
| enginetype = [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] [[V16 engine|V16]] [[Diesel engine|diesel]]
| aspiration = [[Turbocharger|Turbo]]-[[Supercharger|Supercharged]]
| cylindercount = 16
| transmission = [[Diesel electric]]
| maxspeed = Restricted: {{convert|120|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<br />Running: {{convert|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<br/>Rated: {{convert|140|km/h|0|abbr=on}}<br/>Tested: {{convert|145|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = {{convert|2600|HP|abbr=on}}/<br />{{convert|2430|HP|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|28200|kgf|0|abbr=on}}
| trainbrakes = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| fleetnumbers = 18000-039, 18080-18111
| locale =[[Northern Railway zone|Northern Railway]]
| withdrawndate = 2001
| preservedunits = 2 (#18001, #18086)
| disposition = Withdrawn
}}
The Indian locomotive class '''WDM-4''' is a class of [[diesel-electric locomotive]] that was developed in 1962 by [[Electro-Motive Diesels|General Motors]] (GM-EMD) for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge (W)]], Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in 1962. A total of 72 WDM-4 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1962.

Despite the introduction of more modern types of locomotives like [[Indian locomotive class WAP-1|WAP-1]] and electrification,the WDM-4 was one of the most fastest locomotives of Indian Railways serving both passenger and freight trains for over 38 years. A few decommissioned WDM-4 units were exported to [[Bangladesh Railway|Bangladesh]]. As of January 2020, all 72 locomotives have been withdrawn form service with 2 units being preserved.

==Origin ==
The history of WDM-4 begins in the early 1960s with the stated aim of the [[Indian Railways]] to remove [[Steam locomotive|steam locomotives]] from Indian Rails after recommendation of Karnail Singh Fuel Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Report of the expert Committee on Coal Consumption on Railways, 1958|url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/report-expert-committee-coal-consumption-railways-1958|website=INDIAN CULTURE|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Therefore required building a large number of [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] diesel locomotives producing at least 2,600 HP (1,900 kW) with [[road switcher]] cabs to achieve this aim. Thus Indian Railways began looking at various [[Diesel-electric train|diesel-electric]] designs.

Initially, the Indian railways invited tenders to build locomotives to the new specification. The following responses were received:

* General Motors (EMD) submitted their [[EMD SD24|SD24]], given model number GT16 for the India export version.<ref>{{Cite web|title=wdm3_001.jpg|url=https://www.irfca.org/gallery/Locos/Diesel/wdm1_4_5_6_7/wdm3_001.jpg.html|website=www.irfca.org|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> They had Co-Co bogies with 16-cylinder 2-stroke turbo-supercharged engines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WDM-4 specs for IR|url=https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDM4.PDF}}</ref>
* [[American Locomotive Company|ALCO]] submitted their model(RSD29 / [[ALCO DL560C|DL560C]]) with 2600 hp, 16-cylinder, 4-stroke turbo-supercharged engine with Co-Co bogies.

Each company submitted their prototypes and Indian Railways designated these prototypes as the WDM-4 class and [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2|WDM-2]] class respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives - General Information - I|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco.html#class|website=www.irfca.org|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> It is not known as to why Indian Railways decided to classify it as WDM-4, as no WDM-3 class existed when they were ordered.Technologically the General Motors WDM-4 was superior to ALCO WDM-2, but Indian Railways required a transfer of technology agreement that would allow these locomotives to be indigenously manufactured in India. Since General Motors did not agree to the transfer of technology agreement, the ALCO prototype was selected for production.

However, even before the arrival of WDM-4 another type of diesel locomotive was imported from ALCO in 1957. This locomotive was classified as [[Indian locomotive class WDM-1|WDM-1]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Four decades of service: The early workhorses of India's diesel age - National Rail Museum|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/four-decades-of-service-the-early-workhorses-of-india-s-diesel-age/-gKCw2asIUlWLg|website=Google Arts & Culture|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> However WDM-1s were not selected for mass production because of having only one forward cab at one end which needed a lot of turntables.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diesel Locomotive Roster – The WDM (ALCO) Series|url=https://24coaches.com/indian-railways-wdm-series/|date=2013-10-30|website=24 Coaches|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>

==Service history==
The WDM-4 locomotives were capable of hauling both freight and passenger trains, however they were primarily used on passenger service. The WDM-4 was India's first [[Electro-Motive Diesel|EMD]] locomotive, and a model of GT16.<ref name="EMD GT16 Order Numbers">{{cite web|title=TrainWeb.org|url=http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/gt16.htm}}</ref> These were the fastest locomotives in India until the arrival of WAP-3 engines.

For some trains, WDM-4 engines had to double-head, as they normally could only pull 9 coaches. For the 18 car [[Rajdhani Express]] trains, this was common practice. WDM-4s hauled several high-profile express trains, including the [[Himgiri Superfast Express|Himgiri]] Express and [[Doon Express|Doon]] Express. WDM-4s also rarely hauled goods trains, and were primarily assigned to [[Mughalsarai Junction railway station|Mughalsarai]] (MGS). By late 1990s significant number were still in use, both in mainline and departmental duties.

==Disposition==
Of the 72 WDM-4 locomotives, only 2 are officially preserved. #18001, the first locomotive, is preserved at the [[National Rail Museum, New Delhi|National Rail Museum]], while 18086 is plinthed at [[Lucknow]] Diesel Locomotive Shed. #18004, #18022, #18098 and #18107 were purchased by [[Ircon International]] and sent to [[Bangladesh]] for construction work, but were withdrawn due to age.

== Locomotive shed ==
* All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

==See also==
*[[Indian locomotive class WDM-2]]
*[[List of diesel locomotives of India]]
*[[Indian Railways]]
*[[Rail transport in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Broad gauge locomotives of India}}
{{EMD misc}}

[[Category:Diesel-electric locomotives of India|M-4]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1962]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:Electro-Motive Division locomotives]]