suburban

Pictures of Suburban Railways. Classes covered:

  • 1.5 kV DC EMU trains - Mumbai region
  • 1.5 kV/25 kV DC/AC EMU trains - Mumbai region
  • 25 kV AC EMUs - Delhi region
  • ICF 350hp DHMU - Hyderabad region
  • WRB class BG Railbus - Bangalore region

A Central Railway EMU operating on the Harbour Line in Mumbai heads out of Panvel station in suburban Mumbai. The Harbour Line network which earlier ran between Mumbai CST & Mankhurd, has now been extended up to Panvel connecting the township of Navi Mumbai (New Bombay) with the rest of the metropolis.

Though nowhere close to the standards set by Mumbai, Delhi’s EMUs still attract a fair bit of crowd, especially on the runs to the neighbouring towns of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Aligarh etc. Here an ICF built 12 car EMU rake plying on the Delhi - Ghaziabad route is seen entering Shivaji Bridge station.

EMU rake #0611 plying on the Western Railway lines in Mumbai is seen at Jogeshwari station. This rake is carrying a unique LED display which informs the passengers about the destination, speed and length of the rake. The ‘C 9F’ indicates that it is a 9 coach Fast local for Churchgate. From Andheri, which is the next station, Currently on the slow track, it will switch to the fast track at Andheri which is the next station.

This 25 kV AC EMU rake was built by ICF for service on the MMTS network in Hyderabad. However the CM of AP rejected this design and as a result it was handed over to SR to do service on the newly inaugurated BG EMU services from Chennai Egmore.

An improved design was then supplied by ICF to SCR for the Hyderbad MMTS network which have now been pressed in service. running in 4/6 car formations, these rakes cannot be coupled to another one to make a longer one due to the absence of MU cables on the cab end.

Slightly narrower than conventional EMUs and upto 16 coaches long, these MEMU (Mainline EMU) are providing IR with an excellent option to run short haul commuter runs. With their quick pickup and a top speed of 100kmph these machines are raking in the moolah for IR on several high density sectors. Here one such rake is seen bringing in a morning service to Chennai from its western suburbs.

A WR AC/DC EMU #931 plying on the fast track speeds through Mahim station. This machine has been rebuilt by ICF to ply on both DC currents in Mumbai, and the AC network beyond Virar. These rakes are easily distinguished by their blue livery and the 9XX series road numbers.

ICF has developed an advanced AC/DC EMU for WR featuring 3 phase technology. The first of these rakes (#301) was inaugurated by the Railways Minister with much fanfare in late 2002. This rake, identified by its unique livery, is  seen from the overbridge at Khar Rd. station.

An ICF built EMU is overtaken while in motion by the Howrah bound Udyan Abha Toofan Express on the outskirts of Palwal in Haryana. The EMU is running on the third line between Delhi & Palwal built specially for freight & suburban traffic.

On the MG electrified network in Chennai several of these cute little EMUs have done yeoman like service for decades. However these are being phased out as the lines are getting converted  in favour of higher capacity BG EMUs. Some still survive and often can be seen putting up a brave fight to the faster BG EMUs running parallel.

On short haul non-electrified routes, IR is successfully running the low cost, low maintenance Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Units (DHMU). These units are generally found in 3 car (single power car) or 6 car ( 2 power car) rakes. One such 3 car unit based at Maula Ali shed near Hyderabad, circles the Necklace Road on its run from Bolarum to Hyderabad.

At the same location, a strikingly colored DHMU unit from Maula Ali makes the return journey from Hyderabad to Bolarum on a late summer evening. Maula Ali had 2 such 3 car, one 6 car rakes in addition to the normal cream-green units.

Veteran IRFCAn S. Srinivas poses against the Bangarapet - Kolar Railbus as it stops at Byappanahalli station. It has come to Bangalore for its weekly repair and fuel refill. The interior of the railbus was full of barrels of diesel !! Built on a Ashok - Leyland bus chassis it features a WDM2 like control stand !! As it starts up true bus -style, a light WAG5 from AJJ screams past the impish machine.