What kinds of ballast does IR use?

18-07-2019

For all high-traffic lines, IR uses machine crushed hard stone ballast, usually from locally quarried granite stone, or crushed basalt. In the past, broken brick, slag from metal processing, cinders, and waste construction material were also used. For most sections with wooden sleepers, the ballast is of a 6.5cm nominal size (not more than 5% retained on a 65mm square sieve, 40%-60% retained on a 40mm square sieve, and at least 95% retained on a 20mm square sieve). In the past, ballast of 5cm nominal size was extensively used, and smaller ballast of 4cm - 2.5cm was used for iron or steel sleepered track, points, etc. The ballast layer is 0.15m-0.25m thick on most lines but is up to

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In what formations do EMU’s run?
July 9, 2019

Many different EMU formations have been used in different areas. In the 1930's, Madras suburban service started with 3-car EMUs which were notable in having coupled bogies across cars, thereby making the entire 3-car formation a rigid unit. Later Madras also got some 4-car (non-rigid) EMUs. They were sometimes operated in pairs at rush hours,

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What’s the history of EMU services on IR?
July 9, 2019

Bombay area EMUs date back to the 1920's. In 1925, EMUs from Cammell-Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik (Germany) were used on the line from Victoria Terminus to Kurla (what would become the core of the CR suburban service). In 1928 EMU rakes from Cammell-Laird / BTH were used on what is now WR. These were in use until 1974. The BTH rakes were even

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What kinds of electric multiple units does IR operate?
July 3, 2019

IR has electric multiple units in operation in several suburban sections (Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Bandel-Katwa, etc.). The Mumbai region with 1.5kV DC traction has several models of EMUs, classified from WCU-1 through WCU-15 (and beyond??). Most models have DC traction motors with rheostatic control (resistance banks to vary the input power

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What does the term “multiple unit” or “MU” mean, and what is an EMU or DMU?
July 3, 2019

There are two senses of the phrase "multiple unit" to be distinguished. Two or more regular locomotives may be coupled together for greater hauling capacity. In such a cases the locos are said to be operating as multiple units, or to be "MU'ed together" (US terminology: "lash-up"). This is not to be confused with the terms electric multiple unit

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Does IR operate diesel-electric or diesel-hydraulic multiple units of any kind?
July 3, 2019

There are several diesel-electric multiple units (DEMUs) and diesel-hydraulic multiple units (DHMUs) in operation. Most are made by ICF. The BG DEMUs have a Cummins VTA 1710 V-12 prime mover of 705 HP, whereas the BG DHMUs have two 350hp underfloor engines (Cummins 855R) driving two separate Voith hydraulic transmissions via propeller shafts and

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What classes of accommodation do EMUs offer?
July 3, 2019

In the Mumbai area, the most commonly seen coaches have General Second Class accommodation. Some coaches or compartments are for First Class ticket-holders. There are also compartments, coaches, or entire trains reserved for women, known as Ladies' Compartments or Ladies' Specials. In some cases the Ladies' coaches or compartments are reserved for

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