SCR commissions record number of three-phase locomotives in 2022-23

HYDERABAD: The South Central Railway (SCR) commissioned a record 148 new three-phase electric locomotives during the last financial year, the highest number ever in any year. This marks a 45 per cent increase compared to the previous best of 102 three-phase locomotives commissioned in 2022-23.

In a step towards the mission of electrification of railway lines, the SCR had undertaken electrification of rail routes across the zone on a large scale, with all traffic running routes of its network now electrified, except for new lines recently constructed or lines which are fully or partly under construction. The increase in the number of three-phase electric locomotives comes as a timely addition, helping to meet the increased passenger and traffic demand with more efficient locomotives.

The three-phase electric locomotives being added to the SCR fleet offer considerable advantages over other traction technologies. These locomotives have high horsepower and can easily haul a full-length 22 LHB coach passenger train which can top 130 kmph without any hassle. They also offer a high balancing speed even for freight traffic, reducing transit time for moving cargo and improving the productivity of rolling stock.

The new locomotives are fitted with Head-on-Generation systems (HOG) for powering the coaches, drastically reducing the use of diesel power cars for powering the rakes and saving fuel bills. Regenerative braking is another green feature of three-phase locomotives, saving 12.4 per cent of electrical energy and reducing carbon footprints, while also enabling higher average speeds and the hauling of heavier trains.

The improved availability of electric locomotives in the zone facilitated the switching over of 46 pairs of coaching trains from diesel to electric traction in FY 23-24, saving Rs 204 crore per annum on the fuel bill of the railways and reducing carbon emissions. The newly commissioned locomotives have also contributed to a 12.7 percent increase in the share of GTKM (in millions) in electric traction (both freight and passenger combined) compared to FY 22-23.

With rapid progress towards 100 per cent electrification, the role of efficient electric locomotives becomes vital in meeting higher traffic demands. The general manager hailed the electrical branch for the timely addition of new three-phase locomotives to the SCR Locomotive fleet. He advised the team to maintain the same tempo to further enhance the addition of such locomotives in the ensuing year to continue meeting the increasing traffic demand from customers.