Old is gold

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Four phased out metre gauge diesel locomotives exported to Benin after modifications at Sabarmati railway shed; they will make Rlys richer by millions

By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, April 07, 2010 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=201004072010040702113232274bf22f0)

The four YDM4 diesel engines underwent some changes in their design at the Sabarmati diesel shed

Nothing is a scrap in railway’s stable. Not even outdated metre gauge diesel locomotives. Cashing in on their demand in developing countries, Indian Railways have started exporting them. After complete overhaul at Sabarmati loco shed, four such locomotives were shipped to Benin in Africa from Mumbai port on April 1. They will make Indian Railways richer by millions.
With metre gauge diesel locomotives turning obsolete following large-scale gauge conversion in the country, the Railway Board decided to export them to developing countries. It selected the Sabarmati loco shed as export hub for this.
The four YDM4 diesel engines exported to Benin this month underwent some changes in their design at the Sabarmati diesel shed. The height of their buffer was increased. “The power of the engines were enhanced and turbo chargers were attached to them. They were given a fresh coat of paint as well,” said Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer Alok Kumar Misra.
Six railwaymen will fly to Benin for the commissioning the four YDM4 diesel locomotives. “Extra spare parts will also be sent to the African nation,” said Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Diesel) Gaurav Kumar.
Sources said around 75 per cent of metre gauge diesel locomotives were phased out in India after gauge conversion. Looking to the scenario, Rail India Technical and Economic Service Ltd (RIGHTS) decided to export in-service metre gauge diesel locomotives to African countries with necessary modification, which include upgrading the interiors, the design and modifying the mechanical apparatus.
The first diesel locomotive was exported from Sabarmati diesel shed to Tanzania on August 15, 2007. A few engines have been shipped to Mozambique and Myanmar as well. So far, 26 metre gauge diesel locomotives modified at the diesel shed in Sabarmati have been exported.

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