Images from the IRFCA Convention 2010 held at National Railway Museum Delhi, 6-7 Feb 2010
Ajai BAnerji took home the 2nd runner up prize for the IRFCA Quiz ()
Biswarup Basu was the 1st runner up ()
And the winner of the IRFCA Quiz 2010 - Sagar Tipnis from Thane ()
It has a realistic short hood but does not go anywhere... The WDM2 simulator at TKD shed. (Apurva)
The simulator's 'long hood' is really short and lacks even a headlamp. (Apurva)
Below the simulator body is the Stewart platform aka 'Hexapod' that drives the three axis motion essential for a realistic driving experience. (Apurva)
The three pairs of hydraulic cylinders that realistically move the simulator cab as it accelerates, slows, slews over points and jolts over every track joint. (Apurva)
Another view of the hydraulic mechanism that provides the motion to the simulator cab. The large black item is the loudspeaker that makes whining sounds proportional to the throttle opening - no WDM2 class chuffing though. (Apurva)
The short hood serves as the boarding point between the 'moving' part and the terra firma. Samit illustrates the height of the simulator frame. (Apurva)
The instructor (on left) was amused to meet non railway people who know how to drive a WDM2! Jattin, Vabby and Fateh watch an unidentified IRFCA 'crew' having a go. (Apurva)
To aid driving in the dark, the cab is monitored through an infrared camera - the ghostly monochrome results from this camera were visible in the control room outside the simulator area. (Apurva)
The age of the equipment (early 90s?) is evident from the 12" Laser Disk that drives the track scenery. The simulator is very real indeed. We were told of a loco pilot who was so overcome with the experience that he spat his wad of 'paan' from the ca
Plinted Bagnall make ZB # 59 inside the TKD shed. This loco is from 1959 and was in use on the Western Railways before retiring to this place of honour. ()
Another view of the plinthed ZB 59 inside the TKD shed. (Apurva)
Another view of the WDM3A 16491, glowing from the recent paint job. Thank you kind people at TKD shed for your warm hospitality and for coping with two busloads of crazy railfans in such space of time. (Apurva)