Indian locomotive class WDS-6: Difference between revisions

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{{More footnotes|date=July 2019}}
{{Short description|Indian Railway  shunter class diesel locomotive}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox locomotive
{{Infobox locomotive
| name            = WDS-6  
| name            = WDS-6  
| powertype        = Diesel
| powertype        = Diesel
| image            = File:CLA WDS6.jpg
| image            = Tughlakabad-based WDS-6 locomotive at Anand Vihar Terminal.jpg
| alt
| alt             =
| caption          = A Kurla based WDS-6 freshly POHed.
| caption          = A Tughlakabad-based WDS-6 at Anand Vihar Terminal
| builder          = [[Banaras Locomotive Works|BLW]], Central Railway Loco Workshop, Parel
| builder          = [[Banaras Locomotive Works|BLW]], Central Railway Loco Workshop, Parel
| ordernumber      =  
| ordernumber      =  
Line 11: Line 12:
| buildmodel      =  
| buildmodel      =  
| builddate        = 1975+
| builddate        = 1975+
| totalproduction  = '''WDS-6:''' 300<br />'''WDS-6AD:''' 111
| totalproduction  = '''WDS-6:''' 300 <br />'''WDS-6AD:''' 111<ref name = "BLW - WDS6ADT-1350">{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=WDS6ADT-1350 - Shunting Locomotive |url=https://blw.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/WDS6ADT.pdf |website= |location= |publisher=[[Banaras Locomotive Works|BLW]] |access-date=14 January 2026}}</ref>
| rebuilder        = Parel Workshops
| rebuilder        = Parel Workshops
| rebuilddate      =  
| rebuilddate      =  
Line 19: Line 20:
| gauge            = {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
| gauge            = {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
| trucks          =  
| trucks          =  
| bogies          =ALCO Asymmetric cast frame trimount  
| bogies          = ALCO Asymmetric cast frame trimount  
| wheeldiameter    = {{convert|1092|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| wheeldiameter    = {{convert|1092|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter =  
| trailingdiameter =  
Line 48: Line 49:
| cylindercount    = 6
| cylindercount    = 6
| cylindersize    =  
| cylindersize    =  
| transmission    =[[Diesel-electric transmission]]  
| transmission    = [[Diesel–electric transmission]]  
| multipleworking  =2  
| multipleworking  = 2  
| maxspeed        = {{convert|71|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| maxspeed        = {{convert|71|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput      = Max:{{convert|1400|HP|abbr=on}}<br>Site rated:{{convert|1300|HP|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput      = Max:{{convert|1400|HP|abbr=on}}<br>Site rated:{{convert|1300|HP|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort  ={{convert|34.000|t|0|abbr=on}} maximum {{convert|16.050|t|0|abbr=on}} continuous
| tractiveeffort  = {{convert|34.0|t|0|abbr=on}} maximum {{convert|16.050|t|0|abbr=on}} continuous
| factorofadhesion =  
| factorofadhesion =  
| trainheating    =  
| trainheating    =  
Line 59: Line 60:
| trainbrakes      = Originally [[Vacuum brake|vacuum]], or [[Railway air brake|air]], but some modified to [[Vacuum brake#Dual brakes|dual]]  
| trainbrakes      = Originally [[Vacuum brake|vacuum]], or [[Railway air brake|air]], but some modified to [[Vacuum brake#Dual brakes|dual]]  
| safety          =  
| safety          =  
| operator        =[[Indian Railways]]  
| operator        = [[Indian Railways]]  
| operatorclass    =  
| operatorclass    =  
| powerclass      =  
| powerclass      =  
Line 67: Line 68:
| nicknames        =  
| nicknames        =  
| axleloadclass    =  
| axleloadclass    =  
| locale          =All over Indian Railways, also leased and sold to some private- and public-sector industrial concerns
| locale          = All over Indian Railways, and also leased and sold to some private- and public-sector industrial concerns<ref name = "SAIL - MAINTENANCE OF WDS-6 LOCOMOTIVES>{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=METHOD OF PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF WDS-6 LOCOMOTIVES IN STEEL PLANTS |url=https://www.sail.co.in/sites/default/files/ipss/2020-06/3-02-008-18_0.pdf |website= |location= |publisher=[[Steel Authority of India|SAIL]] |access-date=14 January 2026}}</ref>
| deliverydate    =  
| deliverydate    =  
| firstrundate    =  
| firstrundate    =  
Line 76: Line 77:
| restoredate      =  
| restoredate      =  
| scrapdate        =  
| scrapdate        =  
| currentowner    = Indian Railways, private industries
| currentowner    = Indian Railways, Private industries
| disposition      = Active
| disposition      = Active
}}
}}


The Indian locomotive class '''WDS-6''' is a [[diesel-electric locomotive]] used by the [[Indian Railways]] mainly for shunting and also for performing departmental duties. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge]] (W), '''D'''iesel (D), '''S'''hunting  (S) engine, '''6'''th generation (6). As of November 2020, 375 units of this class are currently in use all over India.
The Indian locomotive class '''WDS-6''' is a [[diesel–electric locomotive]] used by the [[Indian Railways]] mainly for shunting and also for performing departmental duties. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge]] (W), '''D'''iesel (D), '''S'''hunting  (S) engine, '''6'''th generation (6). As of April 2022, 375 units of this class are currently in use all over India.


==History==
==History==
This class was designed in 1975 to address the need for a powerful shunting locomotive with the ability  to haul 20- to 24-coach rakes. The previous [[WDS-4]] class was found to be grossly underpowered for this kind of operation. A WDS-6 locomotive basically consists of a [[YDM-4]] powerpack (a 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, inline, turbo-supercharged [[American_Locomotive_Company|ALCo]] engine) mounted on a [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2|WDM-2]] body frame.  
This class was designed in 1975 to address the need for a powerful shunting locomotive with the ability  to haul 20- to 24-coach rakes. The previous [[WDS-4]] class was found to be grossly underpowered for this kind of operation. A WDS-6 locomotive basically consists of a [[YDM-4]] powerpack (a 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, inline, turbo-supercharged [[American Locomotive Company|ALCo]] engine) mounted on a [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2|WDM-2]] body frame.  
Beginning in 1975, these were initially manufactured solely by [[Banaras Locomotive Works|BLW, Varanasi]], but later, the Parel Workshop started building them using CKD (completely-knocked-down) kits provided by DLW.
Beginning in 1975, these were initially manufactured solely by [[Banaras Locomotive Works|BLW, Varanasi]], but later, the Parel Workshop started building them using CKD (completely-knocked-down) kits provided by DLW.
WDS-6 units can be easily recognized by their low short hoods (with two cab windows above these) and flat-ended cabs on the long-hood end. Many of them were sold and transferred to private industrial concerns and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in huge numbers, but still display their IR road numbers.
WDS-6 units can be easily recognized by their low short hoods (with two cab windows above these) and flat-ended cabs on the long-hood end. Many of them were sold and transferred to private industrial concerns and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in huge numbers, but still display their IR road numbers.


== Locomotive sheds ==
== Locomotive sheds ==
{| class="wikitable"
Total Locomotives active as of March 2025 : 270
|-
! Zone !! Name !! Shed Code !! Quantity
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]] || [[Pune Junction railway station|Pune]] || PA || 1
|-
| [[Kurla railway station|Kurla]] || CLA || 50
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]] || [[Howrah Junction railway station|Howrah]] || HWH || 18
|-
|  Beliaghata  || BGA || 27
|-
|  [[Bardhaman railway station|Bardhaman]] || BWN|| 2
|-
| [[Andal  railway station|Andal]] || UDL || 6
|-
| [[Jamalpur railway station|Jamalpur]] || JMP|| 2
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[East Central Railway zone|East Central Railway]] ||[[Patratu railway station|Patratu]] || PTRU || 5
|-
|  [[Mughalsarai Junction railway station|Pt. DD Upadhyaya Junction]] || DDU || 13
|-
| [[East Coast Railway zone|East Coast Railway]] || [[Visakhapatnam railway station|Visakhapatnam]] || VSKP|| 10
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Northern Railway zone|Northern Railway]] || [[Tughlakabad railway station|Tughlakabad]] || TKD || 11
|-
| [[Shakur Basti (Delhi Assembly constituency)|Shakurbasti]] || SSB ||21
|-
|  [[Ludhiana Junction railway station|Ludhiana]] || LDH || 3
|-
|  [[Lucknow Charbagh railway station|Lucknow]] || LKO || 4
|-
| [[North Central Railway zone|North Central Railway]] || [[Jhansi Junction railway station|Jhansi]] || JHS || 13
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[North Eastern Railway zone|North Eastern Railway]] || [[Gonda, Uttar Pradesh|Gonda]] || GD || 4
|-
| [[Izzatnagar railway station|Izzatnagar]] || IZN || 1
|-
| [[Northeast Frontier Railway zone|Northeast Frontier Railway]]|| [[Guwahati railway station|Guwahati]] || NGC || 12
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]  ||[[Erode Junction railway station|Erode]] || ED || 6
|-
|  [[Golden Rock railway station|Golden Rock]] || GOC || 1
|-
| [[Tondiarpet railway station|Tondiarpet]] || TNP || 13
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[South Central Railway zone|South Central Railway]] || [[Kazipet railway station|Kazipet]] || KZJ ||1
|-
|  [[Guntakal Junction railway station|Guntakal]]  || GTL || 3
|-
| [[Vijayawada Junction railway station|Vijayawada]] || BZA|| 5
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[South Eastern Railway zone|South Eastern Railway]]  || [[Kharagpur Junction railway station|Kharagpur]] || KGP || 17
|-
| [[Bondamunda railway station|Bondamunda]] || BNDM || 8
|-
| [[Bokaro Steel City railway station|Bokaro Steel City]] || BKSC || 10
|-
| [[South East Central Railway zone|South East Central Railway]] || [[Raipur Junction railway station|Raipur]] || R || 20
|-
|[[South Western Railway zone|South Western Railway]]  || [[Krishnarajapuram railway station|Krishnarajapuram]] || KJM || 3
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Western Railway zone|Western Railway]] || [[Ratlam Junction railway station|Ratlam]] || RTM || 5
|-
| [[Vatva Railway Station|Vatva]] || VTA  || 19
|-
|  [[Gandhidham Junction railway station|Gandhidham]] || GIMB || 4
|-
|  Bandra Marshalling Yard || BAMY || 24
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[West Central Railway zone|West Central Railway]] || [[Itarsi Junction railway station|Itarsi]] || ET || 17
|-
| [[New Katni Junction railway station|New Katni Junction]] || KTE || 3
|-
|  || Unknown ||  || 13
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Total Locomotives in Service till July 2020'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/list?list_type=named|title = IRFCA}}</ref> || 375
|}


==Liveries==
== Liveries ==
 
Generally,  these locomotives are seen with the typical yellow livery with green/red stripes.
[[File:TNP WDS6.jpg|thumb|Tondiarpet (TNP) based WDS-6]]
[[File:GOC WDS6.jpg|thumb|Golden Rock (GOC) based WDS-6]]
[[File:ERS WDS6.jpg|thumb|Ernakulam (ERS) based WDS-6]]
[[File:ET WDS6.jpg|thumb|Itarsi (ET) based WDS-6]]
[[File:KJM WDS-6.jpg|thumb|Krishnarajapuram (KJM) based WDS-6]]
[[File:VSKP WDS6.jpg|thumb|Visakhapatnam (VSKP) based WDS-6]]
[[File:NGC WDS6.jpg|thumb|New Guwahati (NGC) based WDS-6]]
[[File:CLA WDS-6.jpg|thumb|Kurla (CLA) based WDS-6 tricolour]]
[[File:BNDM WDS6.jpg|thumb|Bondamunda (BNDM) based WDS-6]]
[[File:HWH WDS6.jpg|thumb|Howrah (HWH) based WDS-6]]
[[File:KGP WDS6.jpg|thumb|Kharagpur (KGP) based WDS-6]]


== Technical specifications ==
== Technical specifications ==
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2d.html|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : AC Electric|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
The technical specifications of WDS-6 are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2d.html|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : AC Electric|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|Manufacturers
|Manufacturers
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|-
|-
|Engine
|Engine
|[[American_Locomotive_Company|Alco]] 251-D, [[Straight-six engine|Inline-6]], {{convert|1,400|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}} ({{convert|1,300|hp|abbr=on|disp=or}} site rating) with Alco turbocharged engine. 1,100&nbsp;rpm max, 400&nbsp;rpm idle; {{convert|228|x|267|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} bore x stroke; compression ratio 12.5:1.
|[[American Locomotive Company|Alco]] 251-D, [[Straight-six engine|Inline-6]], {{convert|1,400|hp|abbr=on|lk=on}} ({{convert|1,300|hp|abbr=on|disp=or}} site rating) with Alco turbocharged engine. 1,100&nbsp;rpm max, 400&nbsp;rpm idle; {{convert|228|x|267|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} bore x stroke; compression ratio 12.5:1.
|-
|-
|Transmission
|Transmission
Line 215: Line 128:
|{{convert|10,516|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=8}}
|{{convert|10,516|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=8}}
|}
|}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:WDS-6AD locomotive used in Indian Railways.jpg|A WDS-6AD locomotive in the outer area of [[Saharanpur Junction railway station|Saharanpur Junction]]
File:A Tondiarpet-based WDS6 locomotive at Chennai Central Station.jpg|A [[Tondiarpet|Tondiarpet-based]] WDS6 locomotive at [[Chennai Central railway station|Chennai Central Station]]
File:Tughlakabad-based WDS-6 locomotive at Anand Vihar Terminal.jpg|A [[Tughlakabad railway station|Tughlakabad-based]] WDS-6 locomotive at [[Anand Vihar Terminal railway station|Anand Vihar Terminal]]
File:SHUNTING DUTY OF WDS-6AD AT NAGPUR JUNCTION.jpg|A [[Kurla railway station|Kurla-based]] WDS-6AD locomotive performing [[Shunting (rail)|shunting duty]] at [[Nagpur Junction railway station|Nagpur Junction]]
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
 
* {{section link|Rail transport in India|History}}
* [[History of rail transport in India]]
* [[Locomotives of India]]
* [[Locomotives of India]]
* [[Rail transport in India]]
* [[Rail transport in India]]
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*[https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDS6.PDF RDSO document for WDS-6]([https://web.archive.org/web/20190701124918/https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDS6.PDF archived copy])
 
*https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2d.html
==External links==
*https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WDS-6
* [https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDS6.PDF RDSO document for WDS-6] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20190701124918/https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/WDS6.PDF Archived copy])
*https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/list
* https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2d.html
* https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WDS-6
* https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/list
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WDS6}}
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WDS6}}


{{Broad gauge locomotives of India |state=open}}
{{Broad gauge locomotives of India |state=open}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:WDS-6}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:WDS-6}}
 
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of India|S-6]]
[[Category:Diesel-electric locomotives of India|S-6]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:Banaras Locomotive Works locomotives]]
[[Category:Banaras Locomotive Works locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1975]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1975]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:Shunting locomotives]]

Latest revision as of 17:19, 21 February 2026


WDS-6
A Tughlakabad-based WDS-6 at Anand Vihar Terminal
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel
BuilderBLW, Central Railway Loco Workshop, Parel
Build date1975+
Total producedWDS-6: 300
WDS-6AD: 111[1]
RebuilderParel Workshops
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo′Co′
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
BogiesALCO Asymmetric cast frame trimount
Wheel diameter1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Wheelbase12.834 m (42 ft 1+1⁄4 in)
Length16.088 m (52 ft 9+3⁄8 in)
Width2.864 m (9 ft 4+3⁄4 in)
Height4.185 m (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in)
Axle load21,000 kg (46,000 lb)
Loco weight113,000 kg (249,000 lb)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity3,000 L (660 imp gal; 790 US gal)
Lubricant cap.530 L (120 imp gal; 140 US gal), 630 L (140 imp gal; 170 US gal) DLW
Water cap22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal), 28 L (6.2 imp gal; 7.4 US gal) DLW
Prime moverALCO 251-D
RPM range400-1100
Engine typeInline, 6-cylinder, diesel
AspirationTurbo-supercharged
Displacement267 mm
GeneratorDC
Traction motors6 DC
Cylinders6
TransmissionDiesel–electric transmission
MU working2
Loco brake28LV-1, Air brake for Locomotive using SA-9 brake handle
Train brakesOriginally vacuum, or air, but some modified to dual
Performance figures
Maximum speed71 km/h (44 mph)
Power outputMax:1,400 hp (1,000 kW)
Site rated:1,300 hp (970 kW)
Tractive effort34.0 t (33 long tons; 37 short tons) maximum 16.050 t (16 long tons; 18 short tons) continuous
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
LocaleAll over Indian Railways, and also leased and sold to some private- and public-sector industrial concerns[2]
Current ownerIndian Railways, Private industries
DispositionActive

The Indian locomotive class WDS-6 is a diesel–electric locomotive used by the Indian Railways mainly for shunting and also for performing departmental duties. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Shunting (S) engine, 6th generation (6). As of April 2022, 375 units of this class are currently in use all over India.

History[edit | edit source]

This class was designed in 1975 to address the need for a powerful shunting locomotive with the ability to haul 20- to 24-coach rakes. The previous WDS-4 class was found to be grossly underpowered for this kind of operation. A WDS-6 locomotive basically consists of a YDM-4 powerpack (a 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, inline, turbo-supercharged ALCo engine) mounted on a WDM-2 body frame. Beginning in 1975, these were initially manufactured solely by BLW, Varanasi, but later, the Parel Workshop started building them using CKD (completely-knocked-down) kits provided by DLW. WDS-6 units can be easily recognized by their low short hoods (with two cab windows above these) and flat-ended cabs on the long-hood end. Many of them were sold and transferred to private industrial concerns and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in huge numbers, but still display their IR road numbers.

Locomotive sheds[edit | edit source]

Total Locomotives active as of March 2025 : 270

Liveries[edit | edit source]

Generally, these locomotives are seen with the typical yellow livery with green/red stripes.

Technical specifications[edit | edit source]

The technical specifications of WDS-6 are as follows:[3]

Manufacturers DLW, Parel Workshop
Engine Alco 251-D, Inline-6, 1,400 hp (1,000 kW) (1,300 hp or 970 kW site rating) with Alco turbocharged engine. 1,100 rpm max, 400 rpm idle; 228 mm × 267 mm (8.98 in × 10.51 in) bore x stroke; compression ratio 12.5:1.
Transmission Electric, DC-DC (DC Generator and DC Traction motor)
Traction motors GE for original Alco and MLW models, BHEL for DLW
Axle load 21 t (21 long tons; 23 short tons)
total weight 113 t (111 long tons; 125 short tons)
Bogies Alco design cast frame trimount (Co-Co) bogies
Starting TE 34 t (33 long tons; 37 short tons), at adhesion 27%
Length over buffer beams 17,370 mm (56 ft 11+7⁄8 in)
Distance between bogies 10,516 mm (34 ft 6 in)

Gallery[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "WDS6ADT-1350 - Shunting Locomotive" (PDF). BLW. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "METHOD OF PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OF WDS-6 LOCOMOTIVES IN STEEL PLANTS" (PDF). SAIL. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : AC Electric". www.irfca.org.

External links[edit | edit source]


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