Unit holding set to go up at Bokaro Electric Loco Shed

The shed is working on fitment of trap chambers to prevent brake pipe failures due to mineral dust particles

With fleet size likely to rise, Bokaro ELS is working fast on newer projects to bypass loco downtime. Railways Review takes a look

The rake holding of Bokaro Electric Loco Shed (ELS) under South Eastern Railway is expected to reach 150 units by the end the year up from 125 units at present. The shed was set up in 2013 and processes predominantly WAG7 locos.

There would be rise in requirements of locos for materials haulage from Bokaro Steel Plant located close to the shed as seen in the picture

Presently most of the G7 locos are being transferred from stable sheds like Tatanagar, Bondamunda, Angul and even Chittaranjan Loco Works, to the shed, hence, the rate of locomotive failures at Bokaro ELS has been less so far. This is ever since it began its full-scale intermediate overhaul operations this year.

However, the rate of loco utilization held by the shed is expected to rise rapidly.  This is due to the projected significant rise in movement of iron ore from Noamumdi, Barbil and Jaruli iron ore mines to Tata Steel’s flagship plant in Jamshedpur, Kalinganar and even to Steel Authority’s Bokaro Steel plant, close to the shed.  This is also likely to increase to loco holding 250 units in near future.

To curtail probable loco failures, the shed is in the process of developing its own expertise for an intermediate overhaul. Parallel vendors are being developed for MPCS, SIB and traction motors, Armature, IP cable, and carbon brush failures are being taken cognizance of and requisite maintenance expertise is being developed. Most importantly newer process and projects are being worked by the shed to arrest brake pipe failures. This has been a key issue with the shed. Since the locomotives work in coal and iron ore loading areas, mineral dust particles get percolated in the pneumatic brake pipes. These often find their way to the rake valves. Often causing failures. To arrest this air pressure is built up at 5 kg/cm2 (B.P.) and the B.P. gauge is noted. This is followed by holding the B.P. hose pipe and opening the angle cock. After this F.P.  pressure is built up at 6 kg/ cm2 and the F.P. gauge is seen. Followed by this the F.P. pipe and the F.P.  angle cock is opened. The experiment under RDSO guidelines has been successful. The shed has recently undertaken a new vital project with vendors for fitting trap chambers before A9 valves. With this dust will get accumulated in trap chamber and dust free air will get circulated to the A9 valve.