Indian locomotive class WDG-4


The EMD GT46MAC is a freight-hauling diesel-electric locomotive with AC electric transmission designed by General Motors Electro-Motive Diesel in 1997–1998 for Indian Railways, where they are classed as WDG-4. Thirteen were built by EMD as order #958647, and a further eight were exported in kit form and assembled in India. The class entered service in 1999.
Further construction has been under license in India by the Diesel Locomotive Works ; more than 60 additional locomotives have been built. They are numbered from #12001 upward. A similar type, the EMD GT46PAC, has also been produced for passenger service in India.
, EMD and DLW have begun building GT46Ace's using IGBT technology to replace the older gate turn-off thyristor technology. Newer editions with have been produced. Over 1,000 WDG-4 locomotives are currently in operation.
Also WDG 4's newer version and dual cab locomotive WDG 4D are better to drive and it has more power.

History

WDG4: first started operations in 1999 with the numbering starting from 12001 Hubli Diesel Locomotive Shed has been operational since 1999, and it houses the maximum number of WDG-4s from 12001-12064, 12067-12153, 12156, 12169, 12189, 12227, 12276, 12311–12313, 12325, 12326. The original WDG-4s from 12001–12021 were imported and later on DLW started manufacturing it indigenously. With six traction motors, this locomotive has the capability of touching with a fully loaded freight train of 58 wagons. The locomotive has been praised for its ability to work smoothly in regions with massive gradients, especially in the and the Subrahmanya ghats having a gradient of 1:37 and 1:50 respectively.

Locomotive sheds

Conversion to electric traction

In November 2018, Diesel Locomotive Works, Research Design and Standards Organisation designed and produced a new twin section 12,000HP electric locomotive.It has been converted from WDG-4 class diesel locomotive to a new class of Electric locomotive WAG-11.Only 3 units has been produced till now and all are in trials with RDSO.Sheds are yet to be given.