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The suspension bridge being constructed across the railway lines at KJM station. I was told that the bridge is being constructed on such a grand scale as the erstwhile railway minister Jaffer Sharrif wanted to make this a showpiece in his home turf. The lines are located under the bridge span being hauled by a crane. The lines to the left lead to SBC while to the right will continue to Jolarpettai. | ||
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An unknown Jumbo in the heavy overhaul section. The section rear of the cab is stripped clean of equipment for refurbishing, leaving only the bare frame. Reminded me of the cartoon depiction of fish with the bare bones but with an intact head. | |
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The second HHPDEMU rake in the Bangalore division. This rake is stabled at the KJM loco shed pending commissioning. | |
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A typical KJM loco, the WDM 2C # 17902R (R for rebuilt by DCW - Patiala). As this is a WDM 2 C, note the lack of sand boxes in the short hood (no square holes near the driver's windscreen) or and in long hood (no square holes on both sides of the radiator room door). More explanation below. | |
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A standard feature of the WDM 2C, WDG 2, WDP 2 and the WDM 2 (rebuilt) locos is the cyclone air filter - this needs a blower motor which can be seen below the frame. Also visible is the sand box which has been removed from the body to the bogie in case of the WDM 2C (rebuilt or new), WDG 2 and the WDP 2 but NOT the plain WDM 2 (rebuilt). Note the clean long hood and short hood of the above pictures - instant identification of a C variant for the confused IR enthusiast. More pics later in the page to show the location of the sand boxes in a standard WDM 2. | ||
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The screen of the cyclone air filter. The compressed air from the underframe blower is led (via the bent pipe on the catwalk) to this screen. I do not have a clear idea of the advantages of the cyclone filter over the conventional air filter but an increasing number of locomotives are using these air cleaners. The C variant also has a different turbocharger (GE, ABB or Napier) and that results in a flatter (but larger) exhaust stack visible on the top of the roof. | ||
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Another important modification on the newer locos is this sophisticated drier which removes moisture from the compressed air supply. This part (seen on a WDG 2) makes an explosive sound every few minutes when it discharges the trapped water on the ground. | ||
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The rest of the visiting Gooty WDG 2A # 14924 which is MUed with another GY power, the WDG 2 # 14891. The A variants are supposed to be only Air brakes, however this loco has a vacuum brake pipe also. On the other hand the A variant in the new locos could mean the ones with dual brakes ! The dual brake version of the WDP 2 is also called the WDP 2A. Some WDG2s from Pune are being converted for dual brake operation from pure air brakes as there is quite some vacuum braked stock left. Why is this loco provided with a 'transition coupler' ? This is the clevis arrangement in the CBC which is used to interface with hook or screw coupler coach/wagon - one hopes with a passenger stock for I would like to be hauled by these powerhouses some day ! | ||
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Another look at the WDG 2 pair at KJM shed. Increasing number of WDG 2s are being christened "Shakti" (power) - this is a generic name for all the WDG 2s. However the WDG 2s have been referred in the past as "Shaktiman" (powerful) or as "Gajraj" (elephant king). The last name could have been specific to the earlier version of the loco with a balding forehead (baldie) short hood. | ||
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The WDG 2 pair from the side. Note the high adhesion bogies. The driver in a WDG 2 sits on the left hand side (in the direction of the travel) and hence the doors and the windscreens are also reversed as compared to a standard WDM 2. | |
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More pics of the WGD 2s with a detailed view of the 'Shakti' name. | |
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General views of the KJM loco shed. | |
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A loco having a bath in the washing facility of KJM shed. | ||
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We finish the work at KJM shed of checking the second HHPDEMU rake and hitch a ride on the WDM 2C # 17902R to the KJM station. The shed is at a lower level and any loco exiting has to climb a ramp till the level of the SBC Chennai line at the higher level. |
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KJM WDM 2C # 17902R and Erode (ED) WDM 2 # 17703 wait at the KJM station. The sandbox for the rear truck (bogie) are clearly visible on the either side of the radiator room door on the ED power. Compare this to the clean long hood of the WDM 2C 17902R whose sand boxes are removed to the bogies. In case of the short hood, the standard WDM 2 has the sandboxes near the crew's forward windscreens. | |
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One curious feature of some of the rebuilt WDM 2Cs is the centrifugal lube oil filter, for which there is no space inside the engine room. This is a problem in locos with a GE turbocharger whose aftercooler is larger. Hence one of the doors is bulged to accommodate the extra filter. This somewhat obstructs the driver's line of vision when working long hood leading. | ||
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