When rail fans talk about “speed” in Indian Railways, what examples come to mind? The Vande Bharat Express, or perhaps the WAP-5. But Indian Railways had dreamt of another locomotive on this list. It is neither an electric locomotive, nor an EMD.
It is the WPD-3A, known to loco pilots as the “Toaster.” An indigenously built, aerodynamic, ALCo diesel locomotive dedicated to speed. Capable of competing with what was the new WDP-4, this diesel workhorse had a top speed of 160 km/h. Quite rare for an ALCo locomotive, right?
It is the WPD-3A, known to loco pilots as the “Toaster.” An indigenously built, aerodynamic, ALCo diesel locomotive dedicated to speed. Capable of competing with what was the new WDP-4, this diesel workhorse had a top speed of 160 km/h. Quite rare for an ALCo locomotive, right?
Photo by Belur Ashok under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
WDP-3A: A Workhorse in the making
By the 1990s, Indian Railways had produced many successful ALCo diesel locomotive classes, including the WDM-2 and WDM-3A. Though these mixed-traffic engines were good at performance, they had limited top speeds. As a result, the need for a locomotive dedicated to speed & passenger service standards emerged. This led to the introduction of the WDP-2, which was later classified as the WDP-3A. The initial units were rolled out in 1998 from Banaras Locomotive Works.
Photo by UY Scuti under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Top speed
A significant aspect of the WDP-3A’s streamlined cab, it had a top speed of 160 km/h (≈100mph); which still makes it one of the fastest diesel locomotives in Indian Railway's history.
Unfortunately, the infrastructure never permitted the WDP-3A to serve its true potential. In passenger service, the top speed of the locomotive generally stayed around 110 km/h (≈70 mph) to 130 km/h (≈80mph).
Unfortunately, the infrastructure never permitted the WDP-3A to serve its true potential. In passenger service, the top speed of the locomotive generally stayed around 110 km/h (≈70 mph) to 130 km/h (≈80mph).
The Iconic Yellow Tejas WDP-3A
Photo by Superfast1111 under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Following the introduction of the Mumbai CST - Karmali (now extended to Magaon Junction) Tejas Express service, a few units of the WDP-3A were re-painted to the unique yellow-red theme to match the Tejas Express coaches. These units were known as “Tejas WDP-3A” by rail fans.
The EMD locomotives like the WDP-4D, are better at performance and have now replaced the Tejas WDP-3A on this service.
Horsepower and Performance
The WDP-3A had 3,100 horsepower which gives the “3” in its name . It had a tractive effort of 30.45 t. Despite being dedicated to speed, the WDP-3A used Co-Co wheel arrangement with Flexicoil Mark V Bogies to contribute to a good power output.
The newer and more advanced WDP-4 locomotives were introduced in the 2000’s. These locomotives too offered a similar top speed as of the WDP-3A, and a higher power output of 4,000 hp. Being better in almost all aspects, these new engines managed to set limits to WDP-3A’s potential.
The newer and more advanced WDP-4 locomotives were introduced in the 2000’s. These locomotives too offered a similar top speed as of the WDP-3A, and a higher power output of 4,000 hp. Being better in almost all aspects, these new engines managed to set limits to WDP-3A’s potential.
Conclusion
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The WDP-3A Toaster still retains the title of the fastest ALCo locomotive of Indian Railways. With all units being retired except 1 being preserved, this workhorse has slowly faded away from the tracks. For true rail fans, this locomotive still holds the memory of being a regular link for many well-known trains like the Trivendrum Rajdhani and the Karmali Tejas Express.
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