Indian locomotive class WDS-6

The Indian locomotive class WDS-6 is a diesel–electric locomotive used by the Indian Railways mainly for shunting and also for performing departmental duties. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Shunting (S) engine, 6th generation (6). As of April 2022, 375 units of this class are currently in use all over India.

History This class was designed in 1975 as a powerful shunting locomotive able to haul 20- to 24-coach rakes that the earlier WDS-4 class were severely underpowered for. A WDS-6 locomotive consists of a YDM-4 powerpack (a 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, inline, turbo-supercharged ALCo engine) mounted on a WDM-2 body frame.

The class was initially manufactured solely by BLW, Varanasi, but later the Parel Workshop started building them using CKD (completely-knocked-down) kits provided by DLW. WDS-6 units can be easily recognized by their low short hoods (with two cab windows above these) and flat-ended cabs on the long-hood end. Many of them were sold and transferred to private industrial concerns and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in huge numbers, but still display their IR road numbers.

Locomotive sheds Total Locomotives active as of March 2025 : 270

Liveries Generally, these locomotives are seen with the typical yellow livery with green/red stripes.

Technical specifications The technical specifications of WDS-6 are as follows: ManufacturersDLW, Parel WorkshopEngineAlco 251-D, Inline-6, ( site rating) with Alco turbocharged engine. 1,100 rpm max, 400 rpm idle; bore x stroke; compression ratio 12.5:1.TransmissionElectric, DC-DC (DC Generator and DC Traction motor) Traction motorsGE for original Alco and MLW models, BHEL for DLWAxle loadtotal weightBogiesAlco design cast frame trimount (Co-Co) bogies Starting TE, at adhesion 27%Length over buffer beamsDistance between bogies

Gallery

Indian locomotive class WDS-6

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