To commemorate the golden jubilee celebration of introducing the country's first 25 KV alternating current ( AC) electric locomotive between Rajkharsawan and Dongaposhi, one of the very first electric locomotives WAM1 (initially classified as BBM-1) was displayed at the Tatanagar railway station from Sunday.
According to information the locomotive would be on display permanently. "We want to spread among the passengers and visitors about our rich past.
A special railway track has been constructed outside the railway station, movement of vehicles carrying passengers on the VIP and free drop lane was closed today," said an official.
The WAM1 electric engine, some 40 years old was kept at the loco shed of the A-category railway station.
"As per our plans a raised platform would be constructed on both sides of the track so that people can have a better view of the heritage electric locomotive," said the official.
The Chakradharpur railway division under South Eastern Railway zone is celebrating golden jubilee of introducing the country's first 25 KV alternating current ( AC) electric locomotive between Rajkharsawan and Dongaposhi, a distance of 75 Kms considered as a mining hub in West Singhbhum district.
The electric locomotive was first introduced on December 15, 1958. Notably, after Indian Railways switched over to 25kV alternating current (AC) traction all over its network rendering DC traction locomotives obsolete.
AC electric locomotives are currently reigning the Indian Railways.
They are the fastest and most powerful among all locomotives in India, hauling freight, express and premier trains.
Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railways has got the distinction of introducing 25 kV electric traction on Indian Railways.
A transformer and a circuit breaker, taken on loan from SNCF, were commissioned at a site near Kendposi.
OHE was energized on 25 kV AC from Kendposi to Rajkharswan and the pantograph of loco No.20250 was for the first time raised at Kendposi on December 12, 1959.
On 15th December 1959, official inauguration ceremony took place, when a steam special train and an electric loco ran parallel on the 3 Km double track between the feeding post site to Kendposi station. Rajkharswan-Dangoaposi section was officially inaugurated on electric traction on August 11, 1960.
