WR pioneers by running highest number of HOG converted trains over Indian railways

WR Saves More Than Rs. 32.22 Cr By Converting EOG LHBrakes Into Head On Generation (HOG) System In 2019-2020 & Rs. 83 Cr in the last 4 years

Western Railway is continuously working towards contributing extensively to ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat’ Mission through new and ingenious ways. With an increased emphasis on reduction in operation cost of train and providing a greener & cleaner environment, the Electrical Department of Western Railway has commissioned 67 locomotives converted to Head On Generation (HOG) System which the highest on Indian Railways.

According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar, Western Railway has commissioned 67 3-Phase state-of-the-art WAP7 locomotives in which 25 kV Over Head Power Supply is converted to 750V by 500 KVA converters installed in the locomotives and transmitted through electrical couplers between coaches to meet electrical load of train. It is worth mentioning that in the current financial year, Western Railway has modified electrical circuits in 34 rakes which is the highest on Indian Railways by a zonal railway.

As on 20th January, 2020 out of the 65 HOG compliant LHB rakes primarily owned by Western Railway, 51 LHB rakes are running in services of 49 regular train pairs trains on HOG system. Efforts are being made to facilitate further proliferation of HOG system and savings in cost of train operation by expediting work of electrification on Western Railway.

Bhakar added that the HOG conversion work on Indian Railway was first started in Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway in November 2015, when the first rake of Train no. 12951/52 Mumbai – New Delhi Rajdhani Express was converted and taken over on HOG system. Since then the HOG rake holding & locomotives has increased progressively. As a result, Western Railway has recorded net savings of Rs. 32.22 cr during current financial year 2019-20 (upto 20thJanuary, 2020) and a total net saving during 2019-20 is expected to be Rs. 45cr (approximately).

It is applaudable that due to the switching over to HOG system, Western Railway has been able to achieve net savings of Rs. 83.06cr since December 2015 to 20th January 2020. The savings is on account of lower cost of electric energy drawn from overhead lines vis-a-vis cost of energy generated by operating the DG sets installed in power cars. In addition to the savings, there has been drastic reduction in the consumption of High Speed Diesel (HSD) oil i.e. 16,696.843 KL which has led to reduction in CO2 emissions by 44,080 MT & thus helped in making the environment cleaner and pollution free.