IRFCA Mailing List Archive

Messages 4901 - 4920

From: Shanku Niyogi <>

Subject: Re: Info required

Date: 31 Dec 1998 12:48:10 -0500

This design basically eliminates the need for a bolster on the truck
frame.
This makes the truck more flexible and, as importantly, dramatically
reduces
the weight of the truck - bolsters are heavy things.

The increased flexibility helps in negotiating curved sections of track
more
smoothly. You can't give the wheels too much freedom, however, or
they'll
oscillate on their own from small variations even on a straight stretch
of
track.

EMD has used this technology in other locos as well, such as the
Genesis.
For a close-up picture of a radial truck on the EMD DE30AC passenger
locomotive, see the following URL:
<A HREF="http://www.netaxs.com/~pancoe/lirrtruk.jpg">http://www.netaxs.com/~pancoe/lirrtruk.jpg</A>

-----Original Message-----
From: Apurva Bahadur [mailto:iti@vsnl.email
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 1998 11:14 PM
To: IRFCA
Subject: Info required

Gang !

The new SD 90s MACs are supposed to have 'radial trucks' - the axles
have some freedom within the bogie/ truck so it follows the curvature of
the track. This leads to dramatic reduction in wheel or track wear. Have
I understood correctly and how much of freedom does the wheel really
have ?
Did the O&K Matheran loco have a similar feature ?

Apurva

From: Shanku Niyogi <>

Subject: Re: Hitachi loco

Date: 31 Dec 1998 13:16:04 -0500

When discussed earlier in the group (back in July), this loco was
identified
to be a WAG6B, which tested in 1988 but lost the bid.

Which reminds me - sometime real soon, I'll be able to finally get that
IRFCA archive up on the web - I've collected every mail so far.

-----Original Message-----
From: prakash@us.email [mailto:prakash@us.email
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 1998 9:31 AM
To: iti@giaspn01.email
Cc: irfca@cs.email
Subject: Hitachi loco

Hi Apurva,

On one of your web pages, (<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/WDG2.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/WDG2.htm</A> )
you had asked for help in identifying the Hitachi or ABB AC loco.
You can see a similar loco with matching specs at
<A HREF="http://www.hitachi.com.tw/E/Product/PIP-3.htm#Transporation">http://www.hitachi.com.tw/E/Product/PIP-3.htm#Transporation</A>

I searched on ABB's home page to find any relevant info but no luck.

Prakash

From: Siddhartha Joshi <>

Subject: Re:Fw: WDP 2 locomotive

Date: 31 Dec 1998 13:22:01 -0500

Looks like they rolled this beast out just in time to haul expresses as
they deserve to be hauled on the Konkan line. Hmmm, do we think they'll
use it there??? Pity though, I was hoping the Konkan line would provide
an
opportunity for double-header WDM2 sightings again.

Sidd.

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: IRFCA website

Date: 01 Jan 1999 00:09:52 -0500

Gang,

Something on my mind. Prakash has created a site called IRFCA for Sarosh and Viraf's pictures. I was thinking that I would create another website called Visa (VIraf + SArosh) on the tripod site and clear the site called IRFCA for, what else, the IRFCA ! It is high time we did this. Now that we know we can sustain the discussion forum on a daily basis and we are getting lots of members soon. The contents of the site should be as mentioned below:

Introduction and objectives of the IRFCA. Maybe a brief historical info on the IRFCA and what we are today in terms of statistics. Info on how to subscribe/ unsubscribe and how to send mail to the group. Also our ground rule - no binary file attachments - no flames, no canvassing type mails, no general news - Iraq invades USA or the other way round, no virus warnings etc. However I feel change of address, emails and telephone numbers should be allowed in the messages. Vijay / Satish should write the introductions
The FAQ on Indian Rails - I believe even if this is half complete, it should be uploaded NOW - Satish Anne ?
Links to the sites of all the Indian Rail sites and the webpages of the IRFCA members. Link to resource sites on technical and all railway related matters, Vijay has already got that page ready, also Steve Brown has that on his site
All the old issues of mail - Anurag or Shanku should do this. Maybe sorted out a monthly basis.
Publicizing the IRFCA - registration of the IRFCA site on Tripod with all the search engines - key words - India, Indian Railway, railway, IRFCA or IRFC, fan club etc.

I am willing to take up the task of assembling the pages. Let me have your views on this.

Apurva

Shanku Niyogi wrote:

When discussed earlier in the group (back in July), this loco was identified
to be a WAG6B, which tested in 1988 but lost the bid.

Which reminds me - sometime real soon, I'll be able to finally get that
IRFCA archive up on the web - I've collected every mail so far.

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: IRFCA website

Date: 01 Jan 1999 00:09:52 -0500

From: Rajan Mathew <>

Subject: Re: IRFCA website

Date: 01 Jan 1999 08:15:21 -0500

Dear Apurva,

Definitely a great Idea. I'm willing to contribute.
All the best

Rajan

-----Original Message-----
From: Apurva Bahadur < iti@vsnl.email <mailto:iti@vsnl.email
To: Shanku Niyogi < shankun@microsoft.email <mailto:shankun@microsoft.email Anne Ogborn < anniepoo@netmagic.email <mailto:anniepoo@netmagic.email S Pai < spai@aya.email <mailto:spai@aya.email Vijay Balasubramanian < vbalasubramanian@noblestar.email <mailto:vbalasubramanian@noblestar.email
Cc: 'prakash@us.email <mailto:'prakash@us.email < prakash@us.email <mailto:prakash@us.email iti@giaspn01.email <mailto:iti@giaspn01.email < iti@giaspn01.email <mailto:iti@giaspn01.email irfca@cs.email <mailto:irfca@cs.email < irfca@cs.email <mailto:irfca@cs.email
Date: Friday, January 01, 1999 1:54 PM
Subject: IRFCA website

Gang,

Something on my mind. Prakash has created a site called IRFCA for Sarosh and Viraf's pictures. I was thinking that I would create another website called Visa (VIraf + SArosh) on the tripod site and clear the site called IRFCA for, what else, the IRFCA ! It is high time we did this. Now that we know we can sustain the discussion forum on a daily basis and we are getting lots of members soon. The contents of the site should be as mentioned below:

Introduction and objectives of the IRFCA. Maybe a brief historical info on the IRFCA and what we are today in terms of statistics. Info on how to subscribe/ unsubscribe and how to send mail to the group. Also our ground rule - no binary file attachments - no flames, no canvassing type mails, no general news - Iraq invades USA or the other way round, no virus warnings etc. However I feel change of address, emails and telephone numbers should be allowed in the messages. Vijay / Satish should write the introductions
The FAQ on Indian Rails - I believe even if this is half complete, it should be uploaded NOW - Satish Anne ?
Links to the sites of all the Indian Rail sites and the webpages of the IRFCA members. Link to resource sites on technical and all railway related matters, Vijay has already got that page ready, also Steve Brown has that on his site
All the old issues of mail - Anurag or Shanku should do this. Maybe sorted out a monthly basis.
Publicizing the IRFCA - registration of the IRFCA site on Tripod with all the search engines - key words - India, Indian Railway, railway, IRFCA or IRFC, fan club etc.

I am willing to take up the task of assembling the pages. Let me have your views on this.

Apurva

Shanku Niyogi wrote:

When discussed earlier in the group (back in July), this loco was identified
to be a WAG6B, which tested in 1988 but lost the bid.

Which reminds me - sometime real soon, I'll be able to finally get that
IRFCA archive up on the web - I've collected every mail so far.

From: Rajan Mathew <>

Subject: Re: IRFCA website

Date: 01 Jan 1999 08:15:21 -0500

From: prakash <>

Subject: Web site for Viraf & Sarosh

Date: 01 Jan 1999 10:08:56 -0500

Apurva,

I fully agree with your idea but.... VISA (in either
upper or lower case is reserved in tripod. Even SAROSH
is unavailable. So the only way to accomodate visa
would be to create a link and place their files
somewhere else, since Tripod has restrictions on
sub-directories.

Should you prefer, I can try getting another ID on
Tripod or Geo Cities.

Every input will be appreciated.

Prakash

From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>

Subject: Happy New Year

Date: 01 Jan 1999 11:54:37 -0500

Hi Folks,

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!

Apurva's idea of an IRFCA website sounds great! I would be happy

to assist in any way I can. As far as the introduction is concerned,
Dheeraj had created one for an unfinished article a while back. It's
somewhere in the archives. Dheeraj, do you have a personal copy of it?

I am continuously updating my IR links. I will provide them as soon
as the website is under way.

May the IRFCA prosper and grow this year!! Am looking forward to some

neat projects and ideas by Mr. Ram Naik that will benefit IR, in
general, and Mumbai, in particular.

Regards,
Vijay

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From: Dr. K.J. Walker & Mrs. M.E, Heath <>

Subject: Re: Kinky dampfloks

Date: 01 Jan 1999 16:02:16 -0500

Dear Apurva and all,
The Matheran's O&K engines did indeed have a flexible wheelbase.
They
were outside-cylinder, outside framed 0-6-0s, articulated on the
Klein-LIndner system. The outer drivers had hollow axles and were
pivotted
on the solid axle carrying the cranks. This meant that the crank
geometry
was not disturbed when the outer axles pivotted. There's a photo of the
axles in R.R. Bhandari's "Exotic Indian Mountain Railways", as well as a
diagram of the axle arrangement. Klein-Lindners were rare in the British
Empire, but very common on the (originally Dutch) sugar tramways of Java
--
many of which still use steam. Most were 0-10-0s with very light axle
loads.
Happy New Year to all,
Ken Walker

-----Original Message-----
From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Date: Thursday, 31 December 1998 5:19
Subject: Info required

>Gang !
>
>The new SD 90s MACs are supposed to have 'radial trucks' - the axles
>have some freedom within the bogie/ truck so it follows the curvature
of
>the track. This leads to dramatic reduction in wheel or track wear.
Have
>I understood correctly and how much of freedom does the wheel really
>have ?
>Did the O&K Matheran loco have a similar feature ?
>
>Apurva
>
>
>

From: Rajan Mathew <>

Subject: Re: Some notes on the WDP 2

Date: 01 Jan 1999 18:23:38 -0500

Dear Krishnan,

Spotted a Golden Rock WDM2 in Mumbai CST this evening
- characterised by its special colours.
Probably used by the Mumbai - Madgaon Express.

I was also in doubt about the WDM 7 which I saw recently on a trip to
Mangalore. It was seen to bring in the 2620 up on to the platform prior
to
departure, was green and yellow, from the Ernakulam shed. I later met
Mr.
I.S. Anand who explained to me that this was a BG made over the MG
engine ie
that the engine was originally used for MG (of lower power) and used for
light loads and tracks. I have misplaced the paper on which I noted the
exact number but indeed my memory says it was of the 11000 series.

Rajan

>>Those in the 14000+ series are WDM 2Cs. In the days of steam 14000+
>>numbers
>>were used by the WTs, 15000+ by WL and WWs and hence the diesels
>began
>their
>>count from 16000+(WDM7, an exception, were 11001-15,
>
>How different are the WDM7 from the others. I saw one of them at
>Ernakulam South junction recently which is attached to the Ernakulam
>Diesel Loco shed. It had the Rajdhani sort of livery on it and it was
>numbered 11007. DO WDM 3,4,5,6 exists. If so where can they be spotted.
>

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: One eyed WDM 2

Date: 01 Jan 1999 23:49:19 -0500

Gang !

Just to report a sighting of a low nose 'Jumbo' WDM 2 hauling a LPG
special towards Mumbai. The unusual feature of this loco was that the
left hand windscreen had been replaced with a sheet of metal and a
'normal' rectangular windscreen had been grafted into the metal sheet.
This goes to support the point made by Anne recently about new locos
with fancy windshield gradually are replaced by a normal glass when the
time for replacement comes. The LPG rake was obviously empty because the
loco was single headed. The loco looked like a pirate with an eye patch.
The rake had around 20 numbers of eight wheeler BTPGLC wagons and
another 20 of four wheeler TG wagons. As is normal with any hazardous
material rake, there was a 4 wheeler wagon just after the loco and just
before the caboose, there was also two numbers of eight wheeler flatcars
between the BTPGLCs and the TGs. They may be two different rakes but
coupled together to be sent to Mumbai in one path.
I also had a sighting of the 1014 Coimbatore - Kurla express at Khadki
station. There were 18 air braked coaches and it was hauled by a Kalyan
WCAM 3. A WDS 4 hauled brakedown special was waiting on the Up through
line (although the WDS 4 loco was facing Pune !), hence the 1014 rake
had to crawl via the platform road.

Apurva

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Pic of a radial bogie

Date: 02 Jan 1999 00:06:33 -0500

Gang !

I find the railway technical resource page invaluable.
In case you have not been there please go to:
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8788/index.html">http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8788/index.html</A>
There is a picture of the radial bogie as used on the SD 90 MACs which
has been discussed in the last few days.
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8788/whlbog.html">http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8788/whlbog.html</A>

Apurva

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Traction current

Date: 02 Jan 1999 00:49:50 -0500

Gang !

Just wondering - In an electrical loco, the current is picked up by the
pantograph or the 3rd rail. The return path to the substation is via the
rails. How does the heavy current transfer from the loco onto the rails
? Is there a rubbing connection like a slipring or does the current flow
through the roller/plain bearings. I had read somewhere that it is not a
good idea for bearings to be used as a current carrying part and small
arcs that will be formed destroy the smooth surface of the shell.
Any other inputs to this ?

Apurva

One article I remember reading in the 'drama in real life' type of
Readers' Digest articles- an agricultural combine/ harvester
accidentally touched an high tension wire. As long as the operator was
in the cab, he was isolated from the earth by the rubber tyres of the
vehicles. But he had a bad case of electrocution when he tried to step
on the terra firma and the entire juice zapped through his body. Some
thing like that, now can this happen on a train ? Dooms day scenario -
an electric loco derails with the panto up and the wheels on say the
concrete sleepers. Will the driver be electrocuted when he tries to
leave the cab ? Will there be arcing between the wheels and the rails if
the distance is very small ? This thing can happen and I wonder if the
drivers have been cautioned against leaving the cab before dropping the
panto.

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: [Fwd: Indian Trains

Date: 02 Jan 1999 03:26:53 -0500

One reply about perils of derailment with the panto up !

From: Shankar <>

Subject: Re: [Fwd: Indian Trains]

Date: 02 Jan 1999 11:08:22 -0500

Hello,
Isn't the pantograph supposed to drop down automatically in the event of
a collision at speed, so as to prevent electrocution of the crew?
Almost all accidents in the recent past have experienced this
phenomenon.
The prospect of jumping off without touching anything sounds
frightening: everything on the car exterior including doorhandles and
step-side supports are made of metal.
The panto probably cannot drop in the cast of a LRT/tramcar where its
really a trolley pole and not a panto. Nonetheless, I read somewhere
that trolley poles on all trams in Australia (starting with Melbourne)
are being replaece with pantos.
Given the slow speed of the trams, are collisions so severe to warrant
such safety measures?
And still on the subject, given the laxity in precautionary measures and
safety in the hopelessly clogged and choked megapolis of Calcutta, with
over 10 million inhabitants, its a wonder collisions are hardly heard of
there, especially considering the way half-crazed bus and taxi drivers
weave in and out of the tram's path, sometimes dangerously close.
Best regards.
Shankar

Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> One reply about perils of derailment with the panto up !
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: Indian Trains
> Date: Sun, 03 Jan 1999 10:05:34 +1100
> From: Raymond Marsh <photoray@alphalink.email
> To: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
> References: <368CCE78.5296990@alphalink.email
<368C8AEB.1F95CB@vsnl.email
>
> Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> > Thanks Ray for the kind comments on my site. I would be upgrading
the
> > site in
> > a while. Then you could let me know which pics you would like. It is
> > appropriate that we exchange pics on the internet, as we have met on
> > the net.
> > Do you have a web site where your pics are displayed ?
> >
> > Raymond Marsh wrote:
> >
> > > Every thing went to plan and I was rewarded with a nice selection
of
> >
> > > pictures as things were at that time. We even came via Burma
(Indian
> >
> > > type Yb & Yc still in service and visited Nepal, A Garrett was
> > working,
> > > Pakistan, rode behind SPS & SGS class and also SriLanka. Things
seem
> > to
> > > have changed so much since that visit but I try to keep up to date
> > with
> > > various magazines. Do you work on Indian Rlys?
> >
> > I am an electronics engineer by profession. Some of the products I
> > make are
> > used by the railways but I am not employed by the railways.
> >
> > > Would you be interested in exchanging phtographs with me ? I have
> > many
> > > thousands to choose from, and would like to enhance my collection
> > with
> > > some recent or past Indian loco shots. If you are at all
interested,
> >
> > > drop me an E-Mail and I will send you my postal address.
> >
> > I invite you to join the India Railway Fan Club Association (IRFCA),
> > which is
> > an internet based mailing list. Please go to my index page, I have
> > included
> > the details on how to subscribe on that page.Go to
> > <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm</A>
> > Greetings of the new year.
> > Just one thing, my mailbox is too small to handle pictures. This is
a
> > temporary problem and would be solved from 2nd week of Feb, till
that
> > time I
> > would like to receive text emails only. However I am eager to see
you
> > pics on
> > a site. If you do not have a website I request you to think about
> > making one
> > right a way. I do not know much, but I could help you out to the
best
> > of my
> > abilities. There are hundreds of members like me on the IRFCA list
who
> > would
> > love to see your pics
> >
> > Apurva
>
> Dear Apurva,
>
> I am now receiving Irfca info and find it interesting. Re exchange of
> pics, I am really a collector of photographs and would rater exchange
in
> that medium. I will eventually place a message on the IRFCA list
> offering to excang e with interested members. I don't yet have a
scanner
> or web-site but time will hopefully resolve these deficiecies .
> Hopefully the loco driver will lower the pantograph before stepping to
> terra firma in case of a derailment. I work on Melbournes tramway
system
> and our crews are told to jump to the ground with out touching metalic
> objects (having warned all passengers to remain on board ) until the
> trolley pole is removed from the overhead wire. Sometimes a tramcar
> becomes insulated from the rails by sand or other dirt. The driver is
> then supposed to miraculouly produce a bucket of water to wash the
rails
> with ! It probably also happens occasionally in Calcutta.
>
> Regards from Ray

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Where are all of you ?

Date: 04 Jan 1999 02:52:41 -0500

Gang !

What is wrong with all of you ? Does the IR take a holiday just because
it is Christmas or new year ? These few days of silence is too much.
Enough of greetings, we need railway talk as much as a junkie needs his
fix.

Apurva

From: Krishnan Anand <>

Subject: Re: Some notes on the WDP 2

Date: 04 Jan 1999 02:59:52 -0500

Dear Mr.Acharya,
Very true that the WDP-2 is a look alike of WAPx series.

But with respect to the livery it is very natural that it is green. If
you had read the notes along with the picture of the WDP-2 that it would

be maintained by the Golden Rock diesel loco shed at Trichy, it is very
obvious that green is a trade mark colour of Golden Rock. Erode loco
shed has a violet shade with cream and blue. This I found out after my
recent trip to Cochin. The Allepey-Chennai express (call it a passenger)

was hauled by the ever reliable WDM-2 from Golden rock and had the same
livery as the WDP-2 that Mr.Apurva sent. Will have to wait and see the
new power horse's performance in the south when it is commissioned. BTW
can anyone enlighten me on the number series that is used for the WDM-2
range. The new superfast versions start from 14000 but the older ones
have 16000 to 19000 series

Regards,
Anand.K

From: "Madhav Acharya" <madhav_acharya@email.email
To: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
cc: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 09:50:51 -0500
Subject: Re: Some notes on the WDP 2

Comments on the WDP-2 - it definitely looks like the WAP
series of locos only a lot uglier ! Part of the reason has to
be the livery of the loco - I presume IR is going to use it
in red or blue but please no dark green ! Also there appear
to be two headlights - one in the middle and one on top.
The loco might be superior in terms of hp and other stuff
but I will always remain a WDM-2 fan !

Madhav

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From: Harsh Vardhan <>

Subject: Re: Some notes on the WDP 2

Date: 04 Jan 1999 09:39:28 -0500

>can anyone enlighten me on the number series that is used for the WDM-2
>range. The new superfast versions start from 14000 but the older ones
>have 16000 to 19000 series

Those in the 14000+ series are WDM 2Cs. In the days of steam 14000+
numbers
were used by the WTs, 15000+ by WL and WWs and hence the diesels began
their
count from 16000+(WDM7, an exception, were 11001-15, again a number not
covered by steam. After dominating the entire 16000+ to 18000+ series
and
since 19000+ and 20000+ series are already occupied by the diesel
shunters
and the electrics, there was no option for the new mainline diesels but
to
go backward and to encroach the numbers previously occupied by steam
locos(or to have an incredibly high number such as 36000+ like those of
WDS6s). Hence the WDP series is also 15000+. So don't be surprised to
see
the next lot of locos being numbered 13000+!

HARSH

From: Alan Sponberg <>

Subject: -request unsubscribe

Date: 04 Jan 1999 09:41:03 -0500

IRFCA Mailing List Archive

Messages 4901 - 4920

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