Diesel vs electric traction

Load Haulability Conventional Locomotives

Load Haulability Modern Diesel Vs Electic

Average Freight Train Speeds - BG

Study by LRDSS Conclusions

• HP to Load Ratio of 1.5 - Most beneficial & Cost effective. This, of course, pertains to sections near saturation. On Passenger dominant sections, HP to Load Ratio >2 for Diesel also. Further overpowering not recommended. - Benefit insignificant.
• On Single Line sections, gain under Electric traction is low. (Tract & Other reasons limit the speed improvement). HP to train load ratio is not a traction specific issue.
• Positive impact of Electric traction on Freight dominant double line sections where HP to trailing Load ratio is low. - 12 - 16% higher line capacity
• This recommendation of course is not traction specific but only HP specific.

Environment Issues

• Contrary to popular perception, Electric traction is more polluting than Diesel traction.
• Power for Electric Loco comes from
• either Diesel based Power station with same level of pollution as Diesel loco
• Or from Coal based Thermal station whose “Green House” gases emission is 26% more than Diesel loco (UNDP Study)

Electric Loco- Environment friendly - Is that really so ??

• One Electric Loco of 5000 HP requires 4.2 MW of Power.
• One MW of Power requires 10 Tonnes of Coal per day
• And at 40% Ash content, generates 4 Tonnes of Coal Ash per day.
• Source: Central Electricity Authority Annual Report 1998-99

• = 16 Tonnes of coal Ash per day

Break Up Price of HSD

Price of HSD Oil

• Basic Price * Rs.14.54 per Litre
• (including Excise)
• Inclusive of Sales Tax & Freight the price ranges between Rs.15.12 to Rs.17.69
• Average Issue Price Rs.16.25 per Litre
• * Authority : Board’s rate contract dt.12.1.2001

Is Electricity overpriced ?

• Railway Traction needs immune power, with no cuts, warranting duplication of Transmission and Distribution systems, which obviously comes at a Premium.
• Unlike HSD, Electricity is subsidised by waiving off Sales Tax and Excise, though it is an Economic Good manufactured and sold.