Almost a year after the 55-km ghat section between Sakleshpura and Subrahmanya Road was electrified, South Western Railway (SWR) is preparing to introduce trains powered by electric locomotives. Diesel locomotives on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru rail section could soon become history.
The 55-km stretch between Sakleshpura and Subrahmanya Road is a crucial part of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru rail link.
An SWR Mysuru division official said electric trials for the section are expected to begin once the substation work is completed. Featuring several steep gradients, tunnels and bridges, the section was electrified almost a year ago. SWR can shortly begin operating trains powered by electric locomotives on this stretch. South Western Railway is currently working on a traction substation at Sakleshpura. The facility is a key step towards starting electric locomotive operations on the ghat stretch.
Electric trials expected after substation work is complete
An official also confirmed that the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) trials for Vande Bharat were completed last month, as preparations continue for electric train operations on the route. SWR expects to conduct electric trials on the Sakleshpura-Subrahmanya Road section after completing the traction substation at Sakleshpura. Of the seven trains proposed for the switch to AC traction, four currently run on diesel, while the remaining services use electric locomotives and partially rely on diesel locomotives. SWR’s proposal aims to introduce electric locomotive operations across the identified trains on the electrified ghat section. South Western Railway has proposed switching seven trains to alternating current (AC) traction on the ghat section. The list includes the SMVT Bengaluru-Murdeshwar Express, Kozhikode Express, Yesvantpur-Karwar Express, Yesvantpur-Mangaluru Junction Weekly Express, Gomteshwara Express, Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central Express and KSR Bengaluru-Karwar Panchaganga Express. The Kozhikode Express, SMVT Bengaluru-Murdeshwar Express and Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central Express currently use diesel locomotives partially to pass through the ghats. These trains use diesel power specifically for the ghat section, despite also being hauled by electric locomotives on parts of their journeys.
