The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : Oil-fired steam engine on its way to Darjeeling

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Oil-fired steam engine on its way to Darjeeling

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, MARCH 1 . After making modifications in the newly manufactured oil fired steam locomotive for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), the Golden Rock Railway Workshop here is all set to despatch the engine to Darjeeling.

Final touches were being given to the heritage engine at the workshop where it was manufactured last year. Of the two locomotives made here last year, one is being sent for trial runs in the hilly terrain of Darjeeling.

The chief workshop manager, G.R.K. Raju told The Hindu that the modified locomotive would be despatched in a week to enable trial runs in the DHR section before the beginning of the tourist season. The locomotive had been modified without changing its "heritage look." A team of technical personnel from the workshop are already in Darjeeling to oversee the trials. The locomotive manufactured at a cost of nearly Rs. 2 crores weighs 15 tonnes.

Modifications to the oil-fired locomotive had been incorporated based on the feedback received after trials conducted on a rehabilitated loco at Siliguri near Darjeeling.

The modified locomotive had been fitted with steam automised burners developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd here. Four such burners have been fitted in the locomotive to reduce noise pollution. BHEL has taken a patent for the burners.

Further, the reservoirs and compressors are "hidden" to bring back the old look of the locomotive. New "economisers" have been introduced in the smoke box to enhance the efficiency of the boiler. The need for an oil-firing system was felt following apprehensions from the Forest Department that a flying spark or hot cinder from a coal-fired locomotive could trigger a forest fire.

The capacity of water in the saddle tank had been increased from 1,800 to 2,100 litres without compromising on the look of the engine. The locomotive has been provided with a 5-kilowatt generator for lighting arrangements and an air brake system. The decibel level of sound in the generator set has been brought down to five to reduce noise pollution and suit the environment of the DHR section.

The new loco, with a 900-litre capacity diesel tank, can haul two to three coaches at a speed of 20 km in the hilly terrain. Mr. Raju said based on feedback after the trials, further modifications would be made in the other locomotive.

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