INDIAN RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES

WHAT DO THE CODES ON RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES MEAN?

Published By Livemint | 04 Feb, 2023

Railway locomotives are numbered with a code prefix denoting class type and a serial number

First letter denotes the gauge. 'W' stands for Broad Gauge, 'Y' is Metre Gauge, 'Z' is Narrow Gauge

Second letter denotes motive power, 'D' is for Diesel, 'C' for DC electric and 'A' for AC electric

Third letter denotes engine use 'G' Goods, 'P' Passenger, 'M' Mixed, 'S' Shunting and 'U' Multiple unit

Fastest passanger engine in the railways' locomotive fleet is the WAP-7 with 6,350 HP

The most powerful goods locomotives of Indian Railways is WAG-12 with 12,000 HP