Indian Railways operates India's railway system and comes under the purview of the Ministry of Railways of Government of India. As of 2023, it maintains over 108,706 km (67,547 mi) of tracks and operates over 13,000 trains daily with a fleet of 14,800 locomotives. The railways primarily operates a fleet of electric and diesel locomotives along with a few compressed natural gas (CNG) locomotives. Steam locomotives are operated on mountain railways and on heritage trains.
The NS Class 6400 is a type of Bo-Bo diesel-electric freight locomotive. 120 were built by MaK and ABB between 1988 and 1994 for Nederlandse Spoorwegen.
The Indian locomotive class WDM-2 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1962 by American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 2nd generation (2). They entered service in 1962. A total of more than 2,700 WDM-2 was built at ALCO and Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi between 1962 and 1998, which made them the most numerous class of mainline diesel locomotive until its successor the WDM-3A.
The ALCO DL560C is a series of diesel-electric locomotive with AC electric transmission designed by the American Locomotive Company and produced under license by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) Varanasi, India for Indian Railways as their classes WDM-2, WDM-3A/2C, WDM-3D and WDG-3A for operation in India. The locomotive is fitted with a 16-cylinder ALCO 251 B,C diesel engine. In the early 1960s Indian Railways needed a reliable diesel workhorse to gradually replace its steam locomotive fleet. Equal numbers of ALCO's DL560C and EMD's G16 were chosen for trials. More locomotives of each of these were purchased for more trials. Indian Railways was keen on producing these locomotives in the country rather than depending on imports. EMD did not agree for a Transfer-of-Technology, while ALCO did. Thus ALCO DL560C was chosen for the job due to its easy maintenance, reliability and simple operation. And from then on vast numbers of this loco in different configurations have been produced and remain the main diesel traction power of Indian Railways.
The Vaigai Express is an Intercity Express high-speed express train which runs daily between Madurai and Chennai, via Tiruchirappalli. It is operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways and was introduced due to increasing demand for a day train between the cities during the 1970s. It was the first instance in which a high-speed train was introduced on a metre-gauge railway within the Southern Railway zone. Vaigai SuperFast is fondly referred to as the "King of Southern Railway"; and its rake sharer Pallavan Express "Prince of Southern Railway" running between Chennai Egmore and Karaikudi Junction are collectively known as the "Chord Line brothers".
The Indian locomotive class WDM-4 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1962 by Electro-Motive Diesel for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in 1962. A total of 72 WDM-4 locomotives were built between 1961 and 1962.
The WDM-1 was the first class of Wide Gauge (W), Diesel powered (D), Mixed load (M), meant for hauling both freight and passenger trains. These are also the first mainline diesel engines imported after Independence. They were even the fastest diesel locomotives till the advent of WDM 2 and WDM 4. They used to haul ore/freight trains on SER. In the end, they were relegated to shunting/piloting duties or hauling sugarcane freight trains. One unit, #17000, is preserved at National Rail Museum, Delhi.
The Indian locomotive class WDM-3A is a class of diesel–electric locomotive that was developed in 1993 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, with 3300 horsepower (3A). The WDM-3A is a later classification of earlier WDM-2C. They entered service in 1994. A total of 143+ were built at ALCO and Banaras Locomotive Works between 1994 and 2003 with rest of the 1246 units being rebuilt from WDM-2 which made them the most numerous class of mainline diesel locomotive until the WDG-4.
Diesel Loco Shed, Ernakulam (Code:ERSX) is a motive power depot performing locomotive maintenance and repair facility for diesel locomotives of the Indian Railways, located at Ernakulam Junction (ERS) of the Southern Railway zone in the city of Kochi, Kerala. It is one of the four diesel loco sheds of the Southern Railway, the others being at Tondiarpet (TNP) at Chennai, Erode (ED) and Golden Rock (GOC) at Trichy and the only locomotive shed in Kerala and the southernmost loco shed in India. Although it is in Kerala, its locomotives were mainly used in Goa and Maharashtra, and very rarely near the shed for passenger trains.
Bangladesh Railway Class 2000 is the earliest meter-gauge diesel electric locomotive class of Bangladesh Railway. These locomotives have been in service since 1953 which make them the oldest running locomotives in the history of Bangladesh Railway. A total of 40 locomotives of this class were imported. After providing service for a long periods of time most of these locomotives are no longer in service. Only the serial number 2025 loco is active now.
The Indian locomotive class WAP-1 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in 1980 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Passenger traffic (P) locomotive, 1st generation (1). They entered service in late 1981. A total of 65 WAP-1 were built at CLW between 1980 and 1996, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric passenger locomotive until its successor, the WAP-4.
The Indian locomotive class WDM-3D is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 2003 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine with 3300 horsepower (3D). The engine is classified WDM-3D though it outputs only 3300 hp and not 3400 hp as the name should suggest. They entered service in 2003. A total of 590+ WDM-3D were built at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi between 2003 and 2016.
The Indian locomotive class WDP-3A, colloquially nicknamed the Toaster, is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1998 by Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Passengers traffic (P) locomotive with 3100 horsepower (3A). The WDP-3A is a later classification of earlier WDP-2. They entered service in 1998. A total of 44 were built between 1998 and 2001.
The Indian locomotive class WDG-3A is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1994 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW),Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad-gauge (W), Diesel (D), Goods traffic (G) engine, 3,100 hp (3A) locomotive. They entered service on 18 July 1995. A total of 1,164 WDG-3A units were built between 1994 and 2015 at BLW, Varanasi with a few units being produced by Diesel Loco Modernisation Works (DLMW) and Parel Workshop.
Bangladesh Railway Class 6500 is a class of 1,676 mm gauge diesel-electric locomotives owned by Bangladesh Railway. There are 56 locomotives of this class, all manufactured by the Banaras Locomotive Works of India. All locomotives of this class are in service.
The Indian locomotive class YDM-2 is a class of diesel-Hydraulic locomotive that was developed in 1986-90 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for Metre gauge (Y), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 2nd generation (2). They entered service in 1986. A total of 41 YDM-2 locomotives was built between 1986 and 1990.
The Indian locomotive class YDM-5 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1964 by General Motors (GM-EMD) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for Metre gauge (Y), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 5th generation (5). They entered service in 1964. A total of 25 YDM-5 locomotives was built between 1963 and 1964.
The Indian locomotive class YDM-3 is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1964 by GM-EMD for Indian Railways. The model name stands for Metre gauge (Y), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 3rd generation (3). They entered service in 1962. A total of 30 YDM-3 locomotives was built between 1961 and 1962.
Diesel Loco Shed, Abu Road is a motive power depot performing locomotive maintenance and repair facility for diesel locomotives of the Indian Railways, located at Abu Road railway station (ABR) in Abu Road city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is one of the two diesel loco sheds of the North Western Railway, the others being at Bhagat ki Kothi.
Diesel Loco Shed, Tondiarpet is a motive power depot performing locomotive maintenance and repair facility for diesel locomotives of the Indian Railways. It is located near Tondiarpet railway station (TNP) of the Southern Railway zone in the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu and is one of the four diesel loco sheds of the Southern Railway, the others being at Ernakulam (ERS) at Kochi, Erode (ED) and Golden Rock (GOC) at Trichy.
