
Visakhapatnam Electric Loco Shed introduces crew-friendly enhancements in WAP7 locomotive
A retrofitted Crew Desk, enhanced Cab AC Ducting, Ventilated & Improved Seats, Superior seating for enhanced driving comfort, Motor-Operated Side Window Shutters, Caution Order Display, Rear View Camera, Anti-Slip Flooring with Radium Stickers, Driver Tool Box, Adjustable Cab Spot Lights are some of the key feature improvements made to the Loco Engine.
The upgraded locomotive was flagged off by Lalit Bohra, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Waltair, at Electric Loco Shed, Visakhapatnam. Recognising the dedication and innovation demonstrated by the ELS team, the DRM has announced a cash award of ₹5,000.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lalit Bohra said: 'These modifications reflect our commitment to crew welfare and operational excellence. I congratulate the team for their innovative approach and wish them success at the All India Electric Loco Cab Competition.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Palakkad DRM inspects elephant intrusion detection system implementation
The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Palakkad Division, Arun Kumar Chaturvedi, inspected the ongoing implementation of the elephant intrusion detection system (EIDS) in the Kottekkad – Madukkarai section, a vulnerable stretch spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu that has recorded wild elephant movements onto railway tracks. The EIDS is an initiative of Palakkad Division, Southern Railway, aimed at preventing elephant intrusions and enhancing the safety of both wildlife and train operations. It integrates an optical fibre–based sensing network with artificial intelligence–driven analytical modules to detect the presence and movement of elephants in real time. The system covers all identified elephant corridors along both the A and B lines of the section. Installation of the system has been completed on both the A Line and the B Line. At present, signal validation, fine‑tuning, and systematic reduction of unconfirmed (spurious) alarms are in progress. Pre-commissioning activities are targeted for completion by July 30. Using distributed acoustic sensing, sensors along the tracks capture vibration signatures (such as characteristic elephant footfall patterns) and relay data to the Distributed Acoustic Sensing unit located at Walayar. The AI engine and reference databases then localise any confirmed elephant presence to the exact kilometre. Verified alerts will be relayed without delay to the Station Masters of stations concerned, Divisional Control Office, Palakkad Division, any level crossings between the stations, and locomotive pilots via dedicated display and alert interfaces, enabling timely operational responses to avert incidents. The estimated project cost is ₹15.42 crore, fully funded by the Railways. During the visit, the DRM also inspected protection measures in the section, including solar fencing, rail fencing, clearance of vegetation on both sides of the track, and the functioning of railway‑constructed elephant underpasses.


Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
MRI equipment to ensure safe, reliable train operations
Visakhapatnam: As part of its ongoing commitment to safety and efficiency in electric traction operations, Indian Railways adopted advanced Measuring, recording, and instrumentation (MRI) equipment. The state-of-the-art technology can be retrofitted onto tower cars to continuously monitor and record critical parameters of overhead equipment (OHE) such as contact wire stagger, contact wire height, and the precise positioning of traction distribution assets using GPS data. Waltair Division of East Coast Railway has also adopted this technology, ensuring safety and punctuality of the train operations. Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra said that the pantograph maintenance posed challenges for electric trains. The pantograph, mounted on the rooftop of locomotives, is vital for maintaining uninterrupted contact with the overhead catenary that supplies power to the train. Traditional manual inspections, typically performed at depots, may not always detect emerging faults in time, potentially leading to overhead wiring failures, extended delays, costly repairs, and significant safety risks. To address these challenges, Indian Railways is leveraging MRI technology to enable real-time monitoring and proactive maintenance of pantographs and OHE, the DRM explained. Senior divisional electrical engineer (TRD) Shivanad Prasad opined that with the deployment of MRI scan equipment, it can swiftly analyse any changes in OHE parameters resulting from engineering works, modernisation efforts or routine maintenance. By minimising breakdowns and delays, MRI equipment plays a crucial role in ensuring trains run safely and punctually, allowing passengers to reach their destinations securely and in time, the officials underlined.


The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Waltair Division adopts MRI technology to ensure safety, punctuality of train operations
Indian Railways has introduced advanced Measuring, Recording, and Instrumentation (MRI) technology to enhance the safety and efficiency of electric traction. The system, mounted on Tower Cars, continuously monitors and records key Overhead Equipment (OHE) parameters such as contact wire height, stagger, and GPS-based asset positioning. Waltair Division of East Coast Railway has adopted this technology to ensure safe and punctual train operations. Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra said pantograph maintenance is crucial, as the device connects the locomotive to the overhead power lines. Manual inspections often fail to detect emerging faults in time, leading to disruptions. The MRI system enables real-time monitoring and proactive maintenance, reducing the risk of pantograph entanglements and conductor failures. Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (TRD) Shivanad Prasad said the equipment helps assess OHE changes due to maintenance or upgrades, while Senior Divisional Commercial Manager K. Saandeep added that the technology improves safety and punctuality by preventing breakdowns and delays.