INDIAN Railways has been undergoing unprecedented investment in the last few years. The country’s government has set targets to convert narrower gauge lines to the Indian standard of 1676mm (5ft 6in) and to electrify most of the network. Huge progress has been made and narrower gauge lines are now rare – 5507km of tracks were converted to 1676mm gauge in 2014 to 2019, while another 2907km of entirely new 1676mm gauge line was built in that same period. Furthermore, electrification has replaced diesel locos all over the country, much to the chagrin of local and international enthusiasts looking for narrow gauge or older Alco design diesel locos on any gauge.
Electrification at 25kV AC was mandated for the entire 1676mm gauge network in 2019 and this is set to be complete by about 2025; more than 7000km will be electrified in 2024 alone! The immediate effect of this policy is a significant reduction in work for diesel locos, enabling older Alco-derived classes such as WDM 2/ WDM 3 or WDG 3 (and sub classes) to be stored; replaced on electrified lines by electric locos or EMUs and elsewhere by more modern EMD design diesel locos introduced this century. The need for more electric trains has seen new EMU production increase, with the Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) design being delivered around the country. Production of 300-plus EMUs a year is planned and by 2024, the first tilting trains in India may appear. In addition, Indian Railways continues to source new electric locos, with 1200 recently ordered from Siemens, in addition to the 800 Class WAG-12 double electric 12,000HP locos from a previous contract with Alstom.