Environment Friendly & Fuel Saving Multi-Genset Locomotives to Usher in New Era of Emissions Compliant Locomotives on Railways

Yet another milestone in introduction of fuel efficient technologies for diesel engines has been achieved with Indian Railways manufacturing the first multi-genset locomotive in India. With this initiative, multi-genset locomotives to usher in new era of emissions compliant locomotives on Indian Railways

Indian Railways have undertaken development of prototype multi-genset locomotives in the medium horse power range with 3 gensets of 800 Horsed Power (HP) each amounting to a gross HP of 2400. The trial of first multi-genset locomotive is already undergoing as a pilot project at Itarsi of Bhopal Division in West Central Railway.

Multi-genset locomotives employ a novel concept that involves use of two or more small engines as compared to a single large engine in conventional locomotives. Multiple small engines work only when there is power demand; i.e. for higher power demand all the 3 engines work and the lower power demand may be met by a single engine. These locos promise to reduce the fuel consumption by about 20 per cent for delivering the same power. As a result the resultant NOx emissions will be far less and these locos will have a smaller carbon footprint

At present, there are over 500 multi-genset locomotives in the USA in the medium HP range and M/s Bombardier has an order or manufacturing 200 multi-genset locomotives for the German state Railways.

AKS/HK/