Indian locomotive class WDG-4

{{Short description|Indian Railways freight class diesel locomotive}} {{more citations needed|date=October 2011}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = WDG-4 | powertype = Diesel–electric | image = KZJ WDG4 TWINS.jpg | caption = Kazipet based WDG-4 twins (4500 HP GT46ACe variants) standing at Bilaspur Jn. | builder = EMD BLW | serialnumber = | buildmodel = GT46MAC (1997–2007) GT46ACe (2007–2016) JT46ACe (2013–2018) | builddate = (EMD) 1997–1998 (BLW) 2002–2018 | totalproduction = WDG-4: '''1188''' WDG-4D: '''583''' (Mainline Production has stopped, but happens occasionally for Non-Railway Customers) |Britishclass=Co-Co |uicclass=Co′Co′ | gauge = {{track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} | trucks = HTSC | length = {{convert|21.26|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|4.11|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | locoweight = {{convert|126,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} or {{convert|126|t|LT ST|abbr=on}} | axleload = {{convert|21,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | fueltype = Diesel fuel | fuelcap = 6,100 Litres | primemover = EMD 16-710G3B | enginetype = two-stroke V16 diesel | displacement = {{convert|186.2|L|cuin|abbr=off|sp=us}} | aspiration = turbocharged | alternator = TA-17-CA6A AC | cylindercount = 16 | transmission = diesel–electric | tractionmotors = 1 inverter per truck, AC traction motors | maxspeed = {{convert|105|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | poweroutput = {{convert|4,000|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}} / {{convert|4,500|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}} | tractiveeffort = {{convert|540|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} | fleetnumbers = WDG-4: 12001–12999 & 70001–70190 WDG-4D: 12681 & 70301–70882 | operator = Indian Railways, Sri Lanka Railways [as locomotive class M-11, Down-tweaked to 3,250 HP (2.4 MW) using a v12-710 prime mover] | locobrakes = Air | trainbrakes = Graduated Release Twin Pipe Air Brake, Dynamic Brakes, Blended }}

The '''Indian locomotive class WDG-4 (EMD GT46MAC)''' is a type of six-axle (Co-Co) freight-hauling diesel–electric locomotive with AC electric transmission designed by General Motors Electro-Motive Diesel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gmemd.com/en/locomotive/international/gt46mac/ |title=GM EMD: GT46MAC |access-date=2006-11-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040303123345/http://www.gmemd.com/en/locomotive/international/gt46mac/ |archive-date = 2004-03-03}}</ref> in 1997–1998 for Indian Railways, where they are classed as '''WDG-4'''. Derived from the EMD SD70MAC, it is powered by a {{convert|4000|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}} 16-cylinder EMD 710G3B prime mover. Thirteen were built by EMD as order #958647, and a further eight were exported in kit form and assembled in India. The class entered service in 1999. A Dedicated Passenger version of this locomotive, the '''WDP-4''' (EMD GT46PAC), has also been produced, with a Bo1-1Bo Wheel Configuration, which entered service in 2001. These locomotives are also famous for, and can be identified by, the distinct Jet Turbine Engine–like sounding property of the EMD 710 prime mover.

Further construction has been under license in India by the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), with the first purely indigenously built WDG-4 locomotive, numbered 12022, that rolled out in 2002. More than 60 additional locomotives have been built {{As of|2006|lc=on}}. They are numbered from #12001 upward.

{{As of|2007|08}}, EMD and DLW have begun building GT46ACe's using IGBT technology to replace the older gate turn-off thyristor technology and along with increase of 500 hp, ie, {{convert|4500|hp|MW|abbr=on}}, using the Newly tweaked EMD 16N-710G3B-EC, like the passenger WDP-4B have been produced. Newer versions with widened ''Piggy-face'' cab profile for enhanced visibility, just like the later variants of WDP-4's and WDP-4B's were also produced. {{As of|2013|14}}, DLW began building the Dual Cab version, EMD JT46ACe, called '''WDG-4D''', based on the passenger variant WDP-4D locos, same for both-side visibility. Here again, many features, including IGBT and 4,500 hp have been carried on from the single cab GT46ACe's. The first WDG-4D, numbered 12681, is named "Vijay". Later WDG-4D's were numbered from 70301, as the 12*** series came to an end in 2014 and got switched to 70*** series. Over 1,500 such locomotives, including both WDG-4's and WDG-4D's are currently in operation.

Indian Railways has also developed the WDG-4 series into EMD GT50AC (aka WDG-5), using a v20-710G prime mover, based on the SD80MAC, rated at 5,500 HP (4,130 kW). However, this locomotive has turned out to be a Failure, due to various reasons.

Since the year 2017, BLW (DLW then) began manufacturing such locomotives for Non-Railway Customers. The first such locomotive, which would be a Dual-Cab WDG-4D, rolled out to serve Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), in March 2017. Three WDG-4D locomotives currently serve OPGC.{{As of?|date=September 2024}} As of 2024, two new Single-Cab ''Piggy-face'' WDG-4 locomotives have been manufactured and rolled out for Obra Thermal Power Station, based at Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh.

==Locomotive sheds== {| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Zone ! rowspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Name ! rowspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Shed Code ! colspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Quantity |- ! style="background:skyBlue;"|WDG-4/4D |- | rowspan="2" |Central Railway ||Pune|| PADX |83 |- | Kalyan || KYDX |66 |- | rowspan="1" |Eastern Railway|| Andal || UDLD |148 |- | rowspan="1" | East Central Railway || Patratu || PTRX |79 |- | East Coast Railway || Visakhapatnam || WATD |131 |- | rowspan="3" |Northern Railway || Ludhiana || LDHD |26 |- | Lucknow || AMVD |58 |- | Tughlakabad || TKDD |49 |- | |North Eastern Railway ||Izzatnagar || IZND |14 |- |North Central Railway |Jhansi |JHSD |70 |- | rowspan="2" |Northeast Frontier Railway || New Guwahati || NGCD |37 |- | Siliguri || SGUD |156 |- | rowspan="2" |North Western Railway || Bhagat Ki Kothi || BGKD |31 |- | Abu Road || ABRD |122 |- |rowspan="3" | Southern Railway || Ponmalai Goldenrock || GOCD |75 |- || Ernakulam || ERSX |24 |- || Tondiarpet || TNPD | 14 |- | rowspan="1" |South Central Railway || Kazipet || KZJD |76 |- | rowspan="2" |South Coast Railway | Gooty || GYD |4 |- |Vijayawada || BZAD |23 |- | rowspan="1" | South Eastern Railway || Bondamunda || BNDX |129 |- |South East Central Railway || Raipur || RPDX |75 |- | rowspan="2" |South Western Railway || Krishnarajapuram || KJMD | 26 |- | Hubballi || UBLD |146 |- | Western Railway || Sabarmati || SBTD |35 |- | rowspan="1" |West Central Railway || Itarsi || ETD |58 |- | colspan="3" |'''Total Locomotives Active as of May 2026'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diesel loco availability targets|url=https://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Holding/Dsl_Mar'2026.pdf | access-date=2026-03-04}}</ref> | colspan="3" | 1755 |}

==Non-Railway Operators== {| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan="2" style="background:Orange;"|Name of the Operator ! colspan="2" style="background:Orange;"|Quantity |- ! style="background:Orange;"|WDG-4/4D |- |Odisha Power Generation Corporation |3 |- |Obra Thermal Power Station |2 |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|EMD GT46MAC locomotives}} *[http://www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Spec-4500HP-2400.43_rev_04_corrted_final_%2026.09.pdf Detailed Specifications for the WDG4]

{{DEFAULTSORT:WDG-4}} G-4 Category:Co-Co locomotives Category:Banaras Locomotive Works locomotives G46TMAC Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1997 Category:Freight locomotives