. During the post second world war era there were four different locomotive types which were used in significant numbers on the system. The first was the standard Passenger Locomotive called the ‘YP’, with a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement. For freight operations was the robust ‘YG’ with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement. Both these locomotives were manufactured in India, in large numbers, by the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works as also the Tata Engineering & Locomotive Works. In addition to these there was the ‘YL’ Class a lighter engine designed for mixed traffic with a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement and the ‘YM’ tank a 2-6-4 for branch line passenger operations. Some of these types are described below: (Photos Courtesy National Railway Museum)
YP CLASS: The ‘YP’ was the Standard Passenger Locomotive of Indian Railways after India gained Independence and was built in large numbers (871) between 1952 and 1972. Over 550 were built by the Tata’ TELCO plant alone. These remarkable 4-6-2 locomotives with bar frames and high pitched boilers provided exemplary service and were a common sight on the Metre gauge system. The first engines on Northern Railway were placed on line in 1955 and 1956 which were built by Krauss Maffei. There were 63 ‘YP’ engines by 1967 which had grown to 101 in 1975
Valve Gear
Walschaerts
Cylinders (Diam X Stroke)
15 ¼” x 24”
Super Heater
Yes
Diameter of Coupled Wheels
54”
Total Heating Surface
1442 sq ft
Boiler Pressure lb per sq in
210
Tractive Force at 85% Boiler Pressure
18400 lbs
Grate Area
28 sq ft
Maker’s Name
TELCO, Krauss Maffei AG, North British, Baldwin Locomotive Works.
Year of Manufacture
1952-1972
YG Class: The distinction of the single largest holding of any one Class goes to the ‘YG’ on the Northern Railway MG system. In 1965, 126 of these 2-8-2 Freight locomotives were operational on the NR system and the number had grown to 168 a decade later. Like the ‘YP’ in case of Passenger Traffic the ‘YG’ was the Standard Goods locomotive of the Indian Railways and over a thousand locomotives were built, a majority by TELCO. The initial locomotives on Northern Railway came from the Baldwin Locomotive Works and TELCO. The picture shows ‘YG’ 4157 in its entire finery (built by Lenin Werke, Pilsen, in 1956) ready to haul an Inspection Special through a ceremonial arch.
Valve Gear
Walschaerts
Cylinders (Diam X Stroke)
16 ¼” x 24”
Diameter of Coupled Wheels
48”
Total Heating Surface
1442 sq ft
Boiler Pressure lb per sq in
210
Tractive Force at 85% Boiler Pressure
23,450 lbs
Grate Area
28 sq ft
Maker’s Name
TELCO, Chittaranjan Loco. Works., Henschel & Sohn, Mitsubishi, Nippon Sharyo, Baldwin Locomotive Works, Lenin Werke & others
Year of Manufacture
1949 – 1972
YL CLASS:
Valve Gear
Walschaerts
Cylinders (Diam X Stroke)
12 1/4 ” X 22”
Super Heater
Yes
Diameter of Coupled Wheels
43”
Total Heating Surface
651.9 sq ft
Boiler Pressure lb per sq in
210
Tractive Force at 85% Boiler Pressure
13700 lbs
Grate Area
17.75 sq ft
Maker’s Name
Henschel & Sohn, Germany
Year of Manufacture
1957
