First AC retrofitted train begins trial run

The first alternate current retrofitted train rolled out from the Western Railways Mahalaxmi workshop and is under trial between Borivali and Virar section.

The first alternate current retrofitted train rolled out from the Western Railways Mahalaxmi workshop and is under trial between Borivali and Virar section. Unlike the new Siemens rakes,WR has draped it in a different shade – white and red with blue band. Retrofitting is a cost-effective method to augment the rakes by installing new equipment in it,thereby extending its life. By the end of this year,total 10 rakes will be made from old rakes having a residual life of 15 years. Each rake will cost Rs 4.5 lakh,a fraction of the cost of a new rake.

Earlier,WR tried to retrofit old rakes by contracting Siemens but due to some reasons,contract was not given to this company. Two rakes were lying abandoned at the Mahalaxmi workshop for two years. The programme was again revived by WR and the task was entrusted to its skilled workers in Mahalaxmi workshop.

WR has given a contract to BHEL for electrical equipment and the work will be done by our workers at Mahalaxmi workshop, said Sharat Chandrayan,chief public relation officer,CR. WR is making only AC rakes because by the end of this year,the section between Borivali and Churchgate will be converted from DC to AC. After conversion,the DC rakes will be useless. So,Railway is utilising old rakes which have a residual life of 15 years, said Kul Bhushan,officiating general manager,WR.

The staff at Mahalaxmi workshop is happy as after so many years,they are working on retrofitment of old rakes. That time,two rakes were brought to the workshop and had to be retrofitted. We also put electric equipment on one rakes but it can not be commissioned. But it is better WR will do the commissioning work itself, said a fitter at the workshop.In CR,one retrofitted rake has been introduced. Every month,one rake will be ready and after six months two rakes will be retrofitted in a month, said Bhushan.

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First AC retrofitted train begins trial run

The first alternate current retrofitted train rolled out from the Western Railways Mahalaxmi workshop and is under trial between Borivali and Virar section.

The first alternate current retrofitted train rolled out from the Western Railways Mahalaxmi workshop and is under trial between Borivali and Virar section.