Twitter
Advertisement

Battery-run trains back after 100 yrs

Metro procures shunting vehicles for trials in Versova yard.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

After almost a century, battery-operated trains are back in Mumbai. The Mumbai metro, which is preparing final runs between Andheri and Ghatkopar, has procured a few battery-operated shunting vehicles that are used in the Versova yard for movement of trains and coaches.

"In the absence of diesel and electricity, these shunting engines are very handy for pushing and pulling empty wagons and test trains. Ten trains of four coaches each manufactured by CSR Nanjing in China have already arrived at Versova and are undergoing various trials. A battery-operated vehicle is used on inspection lines and within depot at grade level only. They can't be used on main lines or gradients due to their limited power," a senior metro official said.

It was nearly a century ago that such battery trains ran on the Western Railway. Archives show that the Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway, now called as Western Railway, had two battery-powered shunters for use in yards at Bombay. There were only two of this class and they were imported from England in 1927. These were used in the period when the railways was moving from steam locomotives to electric power. It was a year later in 1928 that the Western Railway was electrified.

Sources said there were also a few battery-powered locomotives used on the Gwalior lines built by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited in 1987.

This is another old railway relic that the Mumbai metro has revived after a century, the first being old railway turntables, a rare 19th century technology that metro put in service a year ago. Turntables are used to move trains to change tracks. Sources in Metro One said the old and trusted technology has been modernised for the city’s new metro rail lines for use once the trains start running regularly.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement