WDG 2 locomotives
|
|
A pair of Gooty shed WGD2s approach the fuel pit at
Guntakal. |
|
The WDG2s are hardworking and unassuming diesel
freight powers of the IR. These design of these locos are based on
the WDM 2 but features many modifications to optimize the
characteristics for freight use. |
|
Some of the modifications are, 3100 Hp prime mover,
AC-DC transmission, high adhesion bogies, left hand seating, high
capacity fuel and lube oil tanks, better suspension, wheel type
throttle... |
|
|
|
At the south east exit of Guntakal Jn.- Most are kept sparkling
clean and well maintained. |
|
|
|
Locos, usually working as a multiple united pair along the
route. |
|
|
The earlier 'balding forehead' version. The new
locos have the standard angular hoods. |
|
At the entrance of Renigunta. Almost all the WDG 2s
are in this orange or red livery. Exceptions can be seen from the
Erode shed, which sport the standard gray and red livery of that
shed. |
Pics around Gooty
|
|
A WDS 6 of the Guntakal shed waits outside Gooty
shed. This 1200 HP loco carries the 6 cylinder Alco inline of the
YDM 4, and consequentially has the same guttural purr. At 126 t, it
is heavier than the 114 t of the WDM 2 ! There are steel and
concrete blocks in the loco frame to increase the weight. This is
essential for its role as a heavy shunter. |
|
The big boy in the section, the 4000 HP, AC-AC
transmission equipped WDG 4 (EMD GT46 MAC). These locos can stay on
duty for 90 days at a stretch compared to the 10 days of a standard
WDM 2. Standing alongside a pair of WDG 2s at Cuduppah. |
 |
The simple triangle used by the Gooty shed for
reversing locomotives, located at the Guntakal end of the
shed. |
|
Gooty WDM 2 # 16716 moves into the fueling section
of its home shed. |
|
From the yellow decal below the cab, it is evident
that this is a Briganza ghat special locos equipped with 'auto
emergency brakes'. Most of the GY WDM 2s have been transferred to
the GTL shed. Today the GY shed holds a large population of
sparkling WDG 2s. |
|
The 6011 power opens up after reaching the main
line, southbound from Gooty. |
WDP 1 at Guntakal
|
|
This is the Kazipet WDP 1 # 15056 which has hauled
in the short Hyderabad - Guntur - Guntakal passenger. |
|
More 'balding forehead' short hoods - the WDP 1 was
advertised as a "fast 2300 HP intercity express locomotive", it
lacked the dynamic brakes. The lack of a grill in the short hood
front and top for the blower emphasizes the the ugly short hood
even more. |
|
Barely visible in the earlier and this pic are the
odd single wheel sets - this is a BOBO with single wheels and lacks
the fluid grace of a WDM 2 or a WDG 2 bogie/truck. Note the
reversed seating arrangement (driver's glass on the left, door on
the right in the direction of the travel). |
|
This model was not very successful, due to bogie
and frame problem. The midrange power does not find much use today,
except for maybe the HYB-GNT-GTL passenger :-) |
Rock formations along the railway line
|
|
Lonely barren hills near Raichur. The trip has many
lofty, barren mountains along side. |
|
|
More hills near Puttur. That place has the
traditional bone setters of the area. With hills such as these, I
suppose orthopedic accidents must be common which has led to
development of the traditional skills to cure them. |
