Railway Electrification Works

A railway electrification system supplies electric power to railway trains and trams without an on-board prime mover or local fuel supply. Electric railways use electric locomotives to haul passengers or freight in separate cars or electric multiple units, passenger cars with their own motors. Electricity is typically generated in large and relatively efficient generating stations, transmitted to the railway network and distributed to the trains. Some electric railways have their own dedicated generating stations and transmission lines but most purchase power from an electric utility. The railway usually provides its own distribution lines, switches and transformers.

Power is supplied to moving trains with a (nearly) continuous conductor running along the track that usually takes one of two forms: overhead line, suspended from poles or towers along the track or from structure or tunnel ceilings; third rail mounted at track level and contacted by a sliding “pickup shoe”. Both overhead wire and third-rail systems usually use the running rails as the return conductor but some systems use a separate fourth rail for this purpose.

A blue print has been prepared by Indian Railways to electrify network with an estimated annual saving of the order of savings of Rs. 13500 crore per year past 100% electrification. As per the analysis approximately 5.5 lakh man years will be generated during execution period of Mission Electrification. It has been established that electric trains have several advantages over diesel-powered ones. These advantages include –

· Reduced dependence on imported petroleum based fuels.

· It provides energy efficient friendly mode of transports besides improving the system throughput.

· Faster and environment friendly.

· Reduced line hauls cost.

· Increased sectional capacity by about 18% due to higher average speeds.

· Reduced capital, operating and maintenance costs.

· Offers regenerative braking resulting in saving of energy by around 20% in locomotives and around 30% in electric multiple units.