The 3000hp Iron Horses of Pakistan

Owais Mughal

Today we will introduce the diesel and electric locomotive fleet of Pakistan to our readership. We will start our introduction with the most powerful locomotives of Pakistan Railways. These are the 3000 horse power units. We will cover lesser horse power and steam engines in later posts

(1) HGMU30

The abbreviation HGMU30 stands for ‘Henschel General Motors Universal, 3000hp’. They are called Universal units because they can be used both on freight and passenger trains. These locomotives were built in 1985 at Henschel factory and Pakistan Railways owned 30 of these units from serial number 8201 to 8230. These units are also called EMDs as they were built by the Electro-motive division of General Motors. Above is a photo of a shining HGMU30 number 8203 seen on Lahore-Khanewal track.

Above Photo is courtesy of Mr. Philip Wormald and Mr. Larrry Russell.

Here are some more photos of HGMU30 with serial numbers 8205 and 8210 (both pulling Karachi Circular Railway’s train number KD-1 out of Karachi City on different dates in 2006)

(2) DPU30

The abbreviation DPU30 stands for Dahlian Pakistan Universal, 3000hp. These locomotives were manufactured in 2004 in the Chinese city of Dahlian, hence the designation DPU30. Pakistan bought 9 such units (Serial Number 6101-6109) from China whereas 35 more units were to be assembled in Pakistan (Serial Number 6110-6144), hence the designation DPU30. The alphabet U in DPU stands for Universal load which means passenger and freight both.

Here are some more photos of the DPU30s with Serial numbers: 6101 (inauguration at Karachi Cantt in 2004), 6101 (inauguration at Karachi Cantt), 6103 and 6105 (at Karachi Loco Shed) 6104 (pulling a Passenger train into Faisalabad in 2007), 6104 (at Karachi Loco Shed in 2004), 6105 (Karachi Loco shed in 2004), 6105 (brand new at Karachi Loco shed in 2004), 6106 (brand new at Karachi Loco shed), 6118 (Faisalabad Loco shed), 6118 (Faisalabad Loco shed)

In early 2005, Eight DPU30s’ from serial number 6101 to 6108 developed cracks in their frames. 6104 (photographed above) was the most affected. These locos were then withdrawn from passengers services and after crack welding was done they were relegated to hauling freight loads. Later Chinese engineers came to Pakistan and did the necessary repair work under warranty and all DPUs are now back in service and being fully utilized.

(3) AGE30

The abbreviation AGE30 stands for AdTranz General Electric, 3000hp. These locomotives have serial numbers of 60xx series.

Photo on the left is an AGE30 serial number 6002 spotted near Karsaz station in Karachi

In rest of the world these locomotives are used with a driver cab on both ends but for Pakistan these were built with cab on one side only. These locomotives were so long that in the begining there were no turn tables long enough to rotate these locos in some cities. Therefore on one side of the journey the driver cab was at the back of the engine andto to gave a very bad view to drivers. It is said that some drivers refused to run these locos in such configuration.

(4) AGE30RSP

These are the practically the same locomotives as AGE30s above except these are assembled in Risalpur Locomtive Factory in Pakistan and thus they are designated as AGE30RSP which stands for AdTranz General Electric 3000 hp, Risalpur.

An AGE30RSP with serial number 6025 is seen in the photo to the right. I took this photo in May, 2001 at a crossing point just north west of Khanewal.

These locomotives are also infamously loud. I do not know the serial number split between AGE30s and AGE30RSPs except both are 60xx series and first batch was AGE30s. Any help from our knowledgable readers will be appreciated.

Here are some photos of other AGE30RSPs with Serial Numbers: 6011 (at Karachi Cantt), 6017 (at Karachi Cantt ready to pull Karachi Express enroute to Lahore in 2005), 6030 (at Lahore station in 2005, pulling Badar Express),

(5) GMU30

The abbreviation GMU30 stands for General Motors Universal, 3000hp.

Photo to the left is courtesy of Mr P.S. Mangles and Mr. Larrry Russell. Seen here is GMU30 number 4719 pulling a passenger train out of Multan Cantt station on the morning of January 1, 1981

These units are similar to HGMU30s described in (1) above except they are older and were not manufactured at Henschel factory therefore the alphabet H is missing from their designation. These locomotives were built in 1975 and Pakistan owned 36 such units. Their serial numbers ranged from 4701 to 4736.

Photo to the right is courtesy of Mr. Adnan Zafar and shows GMU30 number 4734 ready to pull a Karachi Circular Railway shuttle named KL-3 of Karachi City staion in October 2006.

Here is another photo of GMU30 with serial numbers 4736 pulling Karachi Circular KD-1 out of Karachi City in 2005.

(6) BCU30

The abbreviation BCU30 stands for British Consortium Universal, 3000 horse power. Pakistan got 29 of these units starting in 1964. Their serial numbers were 7001 to 7029. These units could only be used on the 276 km route between Lahore and Khanewal as only this length of Pakistan’s Rail network is electrified.

These locomotives work on AC (alternating current) traction of 25000 Volts.

BCU30s have now outlived their operational life and most of them are now relegated to freight hauling only. In 2007 one such BCU30 unit with serial number 7027 has actually been placed in Railway Heritage Museum at Golra

Here is another photo of a BCU30 which is serial number 7028 coupled with a diesel at Lahore station.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Special thanks to Mr. Adnan Zafar, Mr. Usman Haneef, Mr. Larrry Russell, Mr. Philip Wormald, Mr Rana Rashid, Mr. Zakir Khan and Mr. P.S. Mangles for the priceless photos of PR locomotives.

ATP’s Other Posts related to Railways and Tramways in Pakistan.

1. The Trans-Balochistan Railway
2. Changa Manga Forest Railway
3. Lansdowne Bridge, Sukkur
4. Train Tickets can be bought from Post Offices Now
5. Khyber Pass Railway
6. Bolan Pass Railway
7. Khojak Tunnel
8. Chappar Rift
9. A Phoenix Rises from the Ashed of Bakhshapur
10. Karachi Tramway of Yesteryears
11. Lahore Rapid Mass Transit Rail Project