WDP4 class diesel passenger locomotive:

• Year entered service: 2001
• Units built (maker): 11+ (EMD/DLW)
• Wheel arrangement: Bo-1-1-Bo
• Power: 4000 hp
• Weight: 119 tonnes
• Max Speed: 160 kmph

A revolution was ushered in, when the IR decided to induct the GM built WDP4 (EMD GT46PAC) locomotive into its fleet. These 4000 hp beasts closely resemble the WDG4 locomotives in design, A total of 10 have been imported from the US, while 1 unit has been built by DLW in the summer of 2003. The picture on the left shows the driver of the 7053 Express to Chennai in animated conversation with another staffer at Hyderabad station. All 11 units including this one (#20001) are based at Hubli (UBL).

On Diwali morning in 2001, a WDP4 brings in the Manmad - Kacheguda Express over the Hussain Sagar Jn. triangle. The pool in the middle has now been filled up for extra tracks for the Hyderabad MMTS project. The WDP4 hauled this train only for a couple of months and has now relinquished duties to a Gooty based WDM3A.

The other side of the WDP4!! Possibly influenced by Greco-Roman architecture, the hideous long hood of the WDP4 is clearly seen here, as #20009 screams through Maula Ali station with Narayandri Express from Tirupati. Many drivers have complained of impaired view while driving the loco in LHF mode.

A WDP4 (#20004) running SHF brings in the Sabari Express from Ernakulam. Despite the fact that it is just an 18 coach train, it still gets a WDP4 as it forms convenient links for the loco between Hyderabad, Guntur & Hubli. I once foot plated on this train, and the loco made literal mincemeat of the light load.

The enormous speed potential of the WDP4 has seen it being used on various record breaking runs. Konkan Railway’s conducted a trial run of proposed Mumbai - Madgaon Shatabdi with a WDP4 which ran at 150 kmph touching 165 kmph on occasions. It was used for the trial run of the LHB Rajdhani rake on the Mumbai - Delhi sector running at 140 kmph. Here a WDP4 used for the trials dwarfs all other locos at the New Delhi station’s trip shed.

Nothing can be more apt !!! The WDP4 is exactly what the billboard says, “Maha Strong, Maha Value”. Hauling 24 coaches single handedly, with 10% more fuel efficiency than the ALCOs and a 90 day interval for maintenance, what more can one ask from a loco???

A lone departmental coach has the privilege of being hauled by 4000 hp of raw power.  The WDP4 (#20003) is  waiting at Hussain Sagar Jn. to let the 7053 Express to overtake it. A close inspection of the wheelsets reveals the unique Bo-1-1-Bo layout of the loco.

Minutes later, the 7053 arrives with another WDP4 providing us with the rare photo opportunity of clicking two of these beasts side - by side. With only 11 locos, currently (11/03) in service, not many trains have these monsters taking care of them. 

A light WDP4 (#20004) running LHF speeds through the level crossing in the neighbourhood of Khairatabad in Hyderabad city. The buzz of traffic, the train, the buildings, the movie posters just show as to how much has the railway become an integral part of Indian life.

The Ernakulam - Hyderabad Sabari Express circles around the Hussain Sagar lake with a LHF running WDP4. This loco was handed over charge by an Arrakonam based WAM4 at Guntur Jn.

The 7686 Bangalore - Kacheguda Express, hauled by a WDP4 overtakes a stationary freight train being operated by twin WDM2s from Kazipet shed. Compare the length of the WDP4 with the WDM2, and don’t forget that the cab portion of the WDP4 is yet to enter the frame !!!

Under a technology transfer agreement with EMD, DLW Varanasi has started building WDP4 locos in house. The first of these brutes numbered 20011 was christened ‘Baaz’ after the hunting eagles found in the plains of India. This loco is also fitted with an airconditioner (rectangular box on top of cab). Here, it is seen hauling the Sabari Express to Ernakulam.

The driver’s position on the short hood side, provides excellent track view and a superb control desk layout. The driver’s seat is a comfortable swivel chair with a high backrest for which is a boon for long distance rides.

Comparatively, the opposite view is not as great. The seemingly unending long hood impairs vision, and heat haze from the blowers (the grillled oblique projections) compound matters further. Though the manufacturers claim that the extended bay windows (right of pic) improve things, drivers have still complained about their discomfort while driving LHF. This is prompting a reintroduction of the long forgotten turntables and triangles from the steam era.