ECoR conducts trial of double stack rail container

Bhubaneswar, Jul 23 (UNI) For the first time in the world, Overhead Equipment (OHE), erected at a height of 7.45 meters, for running Double Stack Container (DSC) goods train was carried out under Jakhapura-Daitari section of East Coast Railway (ECoR).

ECoR sources said such type of DSC movement by rail is presently in vogue mainly in China and the US. The contact wire height for electrification for DSC in the two countries was 6.6 meter and 7.1 meters respectively.

The trial run of the DSC movement has brought recognition for India as the first country in the world to have electrification of railway track at 7.45 meter height.

Electrification of Jakhapura-Daitari section was sanctioned during January 2007, but the Ministry of Railways took a decision for electrification for movement of DSC by rail on electric traction in July 2007 and Jakhapura-Daitari section was nominated for the trial run.

The work was completed within a record period of two months and the trial was conducted in the first week of July.

The Consultancy for the trial was given by International Corporation agencies like JICA, Japan, which would evaluate the test reports and give recommendations for running of DSC under electric traction.

The report by JICA would be submitted shortly to the Ministry of Railways, based on which the Ministry would take a decision for electrification of the Western corridor for running of DSC trains heralding a new chapter in International Rail Transport.

The trial on the Jakhpura-Daitari section up to Tamka was conducted by electric locomotive fitted with special type of pantograph which could work in the normal electrified territory and also in DSC.

Sources said the JICA experts were satisfied with the trial run and prima-facie have accepted the system for adoption in India for running DSC on electric traction.

Member Electrical, Railway Board, Sukhbir Singh also inspected the track on July 13 last and expressed his satisfaction over the successful trial conducted by the Railway Electrification Project.

UNI DP KK SKB AS1819