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The WCAM3 engines, once Central Railway’s pride, are now facing performance issues, particularly when navigating the steep Khandala ghat section.
The Central Railway (CR) is working on addressing the issue, with plans to manufacture a substantial number of new WAP7 electric locomotives in the coming years. (Photo: Mumbai Mirror)
The Deccan Queen, India’s first electric express train and a symbol of pride, is now running on diesel engines.
Since 18 April, the iconic train on the Mumbai-Pune route has been temporarily switched to diesel power due to a shortage of electric locomotives, as per Mid-day.
Though this has not affected the travel time, many passengers, especially long-time commuters and train enthusiasts, feel the prestige of the train has taken a hit. The change comes at a time when Indian Railways is celebrating 100 years of electrification, making the switch even more emotional.
Why the Switch?
Most trains on the Mumbai-Pune section—including the Pragati Express, Sinhagad Express, Intercity Express, and Deccan Express—have also been shifted to diesel engines.
These trains were earlier pulled by WCAM-3 class electric engines, unique to Central Railway, capable of running on both AC and DC power. But these engines are now too old and struggling to perform, especially on the steep Khandala ghat section, where the gradient is 1:37.
Loco pilots reported that the WCAM3 engines struggled to climb the steep incline at Khandala, with many trains experiencing delays due to power loss.
Why Diesel Locomotives?
With the electric engines struggling to cope with the demanding terrain, the railway authorities were left with little choice but to turn to diesel locomotives. A loco pilot, speaking anonymously, explained that the ideal replacement would have been a WAP4 or WAP7 electric locomotive, which are better suited to heavy-duty tasks. However, due to a shortage of these locomotives, diesel engines—readily available at local workshops—have stepped in.
Sources have indicated that the lack of electric locomotives is due to workshops prioritising other work, with the most in-demand engines currently unavailable. The Central Railway (CR) spokesperson confirmed that the switch to diesel was a technical necessity, and assured that passenger comfort and travel time were unaffected.
Future Plans for Locomotive Procurement
This shift to diesel locomotives is expected to continue until September 2025, by which time the Central Railway plans to procure new electric engines.
Furthermore, there are plans to manufacture a large number of new WAP7 locomotives in the coming years, with 264 units expected in 2025-26 and 365 in 2026-27.
