Nice set of pictures Khalid. I liked BHEL retaining the piano style horn lever.

Posted by Samar on 2009 Dec 28 14:24:03 +0000

I see a new addition to AJJ, WAP-4 22792 ahead

Posted by Jainand Narayanan on 2009 Apr 17 01:00:22 +0000

Doesn't seem to be particularly driver friendly.The drivers rarely use the Master Controller(MP)in the manner of a steering wheel.They normally handle with one hand and this position of the MP will strain the wrist and the arm.
Secondly,the Auto-brake valve(A9)is located on the left side and the BP gauge is on the other side and that too in an inclined plan which would require the driver to look both ways and also lean forward to watch the gauge.
Thirdly the BL switchbox in a flat plane would mean that the driver would again have to lean forward to read the labels on the switches which are inconveniently placed between the switches.
The only thing sensible in this arrangement is the speedometer directly in front of the driver which is a very good idea.Apart from that instead of improving the cab they really made it very tiresome for the driver.Also this arrangement is not conducive for shunting movements or even attaching to the load.
Another thing is that these cushioned seats...

Doesn't seem to be particularly driver friendly.The drivers rarely use the Master Controller(MP)in the manner of a steering wheel.They normally handle with one hand and this position of the MP will strain the wrist and the arm.
Secondly,the Auto-brake valve(A9)is located on the left side and the BP gauge is on the other side and that too in an inclined plan which would require the driver to look both ways and also lean forward to watch the gauge.
Thirdly the BL switchbox in a flat plane would mean that the driver would again have to lean forward to read the labels on the switches which are inconveniently placed between the switches.
The only thing sensible in this arrangement is the speedometer directly in front of the driver which is a very good idea.Apart from that instead of improving the cab they really made it very tiresome for the driver.Also this arrangement is not conducive for shunting movements or even attaching to the load.
Another thing is that these cushioned seats don't easily allow the driver to intermittently stand and sit.Usually drivers like to stand while driving because it stretches the legs and standing also makes the sighting of signals easier in moving locos-which has been proved in studies.So these "crew-friendly" cabs are really not that friendly :).

Posted by Khalid Kagzi on 2009 Apr 06 12:38:43 +0000

The reduced seat height has given the the crew a horrifying time as visibility is severely obstructed.

Posted by Kunal Doddanavar on 2009 Apr 06 03:53:59 +0000

Thats the A9. The drivers best friend !

Posted by Zubin J Dotivala on 2008 Jan 15 03:12:32 +0000

I like the way "30003" is written on the cover of the book!

Posted by Karan Desai on 2008 Jan 14 15:12:56 +0000

The gauge on top is to indicate the pressure in the Parking Brake cylinder.The speedometer in these locos only indicates and records the speed of the locomotive while the energy consumption parameters are handled and recorded by the central electronics of the locomotive and displayed on the multi-function display on the driver's desk.

Posted by Khalid Kagzi on 2008 Jan 14 12:02:54 +0000

This arrangement exists in all three classes of these locos-namely the WAP5/7 and WAG9.Similar guages are also provided in other Electric as also Diesel locos on the Indian Railways.
Top left:Brake Cylinders-Bogie 1/2,Top Right:left needle-main reservoir pressure,right needle-Feed-Pipe Pressure,Bottom left:Air flow in Brake-Pipe,Bottom right:Brake-Pipe Pressure.
The yellow light to the extreme right-LSCE is to indicate over-temperature in Central Electronics compartment of the Locomotive.

Posted by Khalid Kagzi on 2008 Jan 14 11:54:16 +0000

Are these self-lapping brakes ? I don't see a HOLD/LAP position !

Posted by Ashwanth on 2008 Jan 14 10:40:25 +0000

Gauges for the BP, Brake cylinders etc

Posted by Siddhartha Ganesh on 2008 Jan 14 08:15:53 +0000