WR successfully run 1st double stack container train in high rise OHE electrified sections

Created world record with first of its kind achievement

In continuation with the nation’s prestigious mission of 100% electrification of Indian Railways, Western Railway achieve yet another historical milestone by commissioning 1st high rise OHE, which has contact wire height of 7.57metre and is a first amongst all Zonal Railways to successfully run double stack containers in electrified territory. This tremendous achievement is a first of its kind in the entire world and will also boost the ambitious mission of GREEN INDIA as a latest green initiative over Indian Railways.

With this remarkable development, Western Railway has become the first Railway to run Double Stack Container train with high reach pantograph in high rise OHE territory, the operations of which successfully commenced on 10th June, 2020 from Palanpur & Botad stations in Gujarat. Alok Kansal- General Manager of Western Rly has expressed his pleasure on this historical mile stone despite toughest challenges of corona pandemic & lockdown and has congratulated entire TEAM WR for this marvelous & commendable achievement.

According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Ravinder Bhakar, WR has once again proved its excellence, by commissioning of electrification of railway routes and has achieved highest electrification of 664 RKM among zonal railways during financial year 2019-20. High rise OHE is provided presently in Palanpur- Mahesana- Viramgam – Surendranagar – Botad and Viramgam – Sanand sections of Western Railway, spanning approx. 375 km route in the state of Gujarat. The normal OHE height in Indian Railway & world over is 5.6 m. However, High Rise OHE height is 7.57m which is meant to run double stack containers i.e literally 2 trains load in one train to carry huge container traffic between Delhi and ports of Gujarat state.

Bhakar stated that, initially, there were some technical glitches in running electric trains in high rise OHE territory due to wind tunnel effect on pantograph, which collects current from overhead wires. As pantograph has to be raised to height of 3.4m in high rise OHE as against about 1.5m in normal, there were heavy sparks while running train above 60 kmph. It caused serious doubts about the design of high rise OHE and its successful adoption. W. Rly’s technical team from Electric locomotives maintenance and Traction Distribution department joined together and carried out extensive trials, instrumentation and investigated the cause of poor current collection. Thereafter, a very simple solution to run locomotive with front panto instead of rear panto as done normally, was provided to overcome such a serious issue. Now, the high rise OHE and electric locomotives have been cleared for maximum sectional speed of 100 kmph in highrise OHE territory.

On June 10th 2020, WR operated its first Electric train in Rajkot and Bhavnagar divisions, which have High rise OHE. With this excellent achievements, Rajkot & Bhavnagar divisions of Western Rly have now proudly entered on the electric traction map of Indian Railways. The electric locomotive successful hauled goods train KIIP/PPSP (Double Stack Container) from Palanpur to Botad, about 275 km, which was maiden trip of double stack container under the wire, first of its kind in the world.

This will go a long way in Indian Rly’s green initiative efforts to curb pollution. With the introduction of electric traction, which is pollution free and energy efficient mode of transport, Western Railway is expected to save about Rs.100 crores per annum on fuel expenses. To carry 1000 GTKM on electric traction, hardly 4.5 unit of electric energy is consumed, which costs about Rs.25 as against 2 liters of HSD oil costing about Rs.150 to carry same load by diesel traction. Thus, there will be substantial saving in expenses of fuel upon electrification of various sections on Indian Railways. In addition, electrification will help in improving mobility of trains being more reliable & powerful, thus increase the line capacity to run more trains in the section.