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The suspension bridge being constructed across the
railway lines at KJM station. I was told that the bridge is being
constructed on such a grand scale as the erstwhile railway minister
Jaffer Sharrif wanted to make this a showpiece in his home turf.
The lines are located under the bridge span being hauled by a
crane. The lines to the left lead to SBC while to the right will
continue to Jolarpettai. |
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An unknown Jumbo in the heavy overhaul section. The
section rear of the cab is stripped clean of equipment for
refurbishing, leaving only the bare frame. Reminded me of the
cartoon depiction of fish with the bare bones but with an intact
head. |
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The second HHPDEMU rake in the Bangalore division.
This rake is stabled at the KJM loco shed pending
commissioning. |
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A typical KJM loco, the WDM2C # 17902R (R for
rebuilt by DCW, Patiala). As this is a WDM2C, note the lack of sand
boxes in the short hood (no square holes near the driver's
windscreen) or and in long hood (no square holes on both sides of
the radiator room door). More explanation below. |
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A standard feature of the WDM2C, WDG2, WDP2 and the
WDM2 (rebuilt) locos is the cyclone air filter — this needs a
blower motor which can be seen below the frame. Also visible is the
sand box which has been removed from the body to the bogie in case
of the WDM2C (rebuilt or new), WDG2 and the WDP2 but
NOT the plain WDM2 (rebuilt). Note the clean long
hood and short hood of the above pictures — instant
identification of a C variant for the confused IR enthusiast. More
pics later in the page to show the location of the sand boxes in a
standard WDM2. |
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The screen of the cyclone air filter. The
compressed air from the underframe blower is led (via the bent pipe
on the catwalk) to this screen. I do not have a clear idea of the
advantages of the cyclone filter over the conventional air filter
but an increasing number of locomotives are using these air
cleaners. The C variant also has a different turbocharger (GE, ABB
or Napier) and that results in a flatter (but larger) exhaust stack
visible on the top of the roof. |
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Another important modification on the newer locos
is this sophisticated drier which removes moisture from the
compressed air supply. This part (seen on a WDG2) makes an
explosive sound every few minutes when it discharges the trapped
water on the ground. |
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The rest of the visiting Gooty WDG2A # 14924 which
is MUed with another GY power, the WDG2 # 14891. The A variants are
supposed to be only Air brakes, however this loco has a vacuum
brake pipe also. On the other hand the A variant in the new locos
could mean the ones with dual brakes! The dual brake version of the
WDP2 is also called the WDP2A. Some WDG2s from Pune are being
converted for dual brake operation from pure air brakes as there is
quite some vacuum braked stock left. Why is this loco provided with
a 'transition coupler'? This is the clevis arrangement in the CBC
which is used to interface with hook or screw coupler coach/wagon
— one hopes with a passenger stock for I would like to be
hauled by these powerhouses some day! |
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Another look at the WDG2 pair at KJM shed.
Increasing number of WDG2s are being christened "Shakti" (power)
— this is a generic name for all the WDG2s. However the WDG2s
have been referred in the past as "Shaktiman" (powerful) or as
"Gajraj" (elephant king). The last name could have been specific to
the earlier version of the loco with a balding forehead (baldie)
short hood. |
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The WDG2 pair from the side. Note the high-adhesion
bogies. The driver in a WDG2 sits on the left hand side (in the
direction of the travel) and hence the doors and the windscreens
are also reversed as compared to a standard WDM2. |
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More pics of the WDG2s with a detailed view of the
'Shakti' name. |
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General views of the KJM loco shed. |
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A loco having a bath in the washing facility of KJM
shed. |
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We finish the work at KJM shed of checking the second HHPDEMU
rake and hitch a ride on the WDM2C # 17902R to the KJM station. The
shed is at a lower level and any loco exiting has to climb a ramp
till the level of the SBC Chennai line at the higher level. |
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KJM WDM2C # 17902R and Erode (ED) WDM2 # 17703 wait
at the KJM station. The sandbox for the rear truck (bogie) are
clearly visible on the either side of the radiator room door on the
ED power. Compare this to the clean long hood of the WDM2C 17902R
whose sand boxes are removed to the bogies. In case of the short
hood, the standard WDM2 has the sandboxes near the crew's forward
windscreens. |
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One curious feature of some of the rebuilt WDM2Cs
is the centrifugal lube oil filter, for which there is no space
inside the engine room. This is a problem in locos with a GE
turbocharger whose aftercooler is larger. Hence one of the doors is
bulged to accommodate the extra filter. This somewhat obstructs the
driver's line of vision when working long hood leading. |
