Indian locomotive class WDG-6G

The Indian locomotive class WDG-6G (GE ES57ACi)^[1] is a class of diesel–electric locomotive used by the Indian Railways for freight duty. The locomotive is a higher power variant of the WDG-4G locomotive which was also designed by General Electric. The design platform is based on the GE Evolution Series and features a 4-stroke 16-cylinder fully turbocharged engine which delivers around 6,000 hp (4,500 kW), making it the most powerful diesel locomotive of IR (the second being its WDG-5 predecessor).^[2]. This locomotive, henceforth, has been named as "Angad" after the character of the same name from the Hindu Epic Ramayana

WDG-6G
Roza based WDG-6G twins departing Bilaspur Jn with BOXNS rake.
Type and origin Power type Diesel–electric Designer GE Transportation India, Bengaluru Builder GE Transportation, Erie, Pennsylvania, Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowrah Model ES57ACi Build date 2019 – present Total produced 179 as of June 2025
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Bogies Co-Co Fabricated Bogie Wheel diameter New: 1,092 mm (43.0 in) Condemned: 1,016 mm (40.0 in) Minimum curve 174 m (571 ft) radius Wheelbase 1,900 mm (6 ft 3 in) Pivot centres 14,224 mm (46 ft 8.0 in) Length: ​  • Over couplers 22,313 mm (73 ft 2.5 in) Width 3,200 mm (10 ft 6 in) Height 4,227 mm (13 ft 10.4 in) Axle load 23 t (23 long tons; 25 short tons) Loco weight 138 t (136 long tons; 152 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 8,300 L (1,800 imp gal; 2,200 US gal) Lubricant cap. 1,300 L (290 imp gal; 340 US gal) Coolant cap. 1,468 L (323 imp gal; 388 US gal) Sandbox cap. 170 L (37 imp gal; 45 US gal) Prime mover GE GEVO-16 RPM: ​  • Maximum RPM 1,050 rpm Engine type V16 Diesel engine, 4-stroke engine Aspiration turbocharged Displacement 15.7L per cylinder Alternator 5GDY131B Traction motors 5GEB32B5 AC traction motors Cylinders 16 Cylinder size 250 mm × 320 mm (9.8 in × 12.6 in) Transmission diesel electric Gear ratio 85:16 MU working Yes, AAR Type Loco brake Air, Dynamic Brake Train brakes Air Compressor 178 CFM @ 145-psig Couplers CBC AAR Type-E
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph) Power output 6,000 hp (4,500 kW) Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 570 kN (130,000 lbf)  • Continuous 420 kN (94,000 lbf) Brakeforce 290 kN (65,000 lbf)
Career Operators Indian Railways Numbers 69001+ Nicknames ANGAD, Tractor Locale Roza (Uttar Pradesh), Gandhidham (Gujarat), Gooty (Andhra Pradesh) Disposition Active

Import and manufacture

Two units were produced by Wabtec's plant in Pennsylvania, United States, and delivered to India in 2019.^[3] Initially, a few will be made in USA. Under the 'Make in India' initiative of Indian Government, GE will manufacture all remaining units at its factory in Marhowra, Bihar. GE has also built maintenance sheds at Roza in UP and Gandhidham in Gujarat.

Field trials

The first two locomotives in the series, 69001 and 69002, were recently sent to South Central Railways' Maula Ali (MLY) Diesel Locomotive Shed. The locos underwent Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials on the Vikarabad – Parli Vaijnath section of South Central Railway^[4] and were approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation for further field trials on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by Roza Locomotive Shed.

Locomotive sheds

Zone	Name	Shed code	Quantity
Northern Railway	Roza	ROZA	25
Western Railway	Gandhidham	GIMB	37
South Central Railway	Gooty	GY	122
Total Locomotives Active as of July 2025 [5]			184

See also

• Indian locomotive class WDG-4G
• List of diesel locomotives of India
• Indian Railways
• Rail transport in India