WAP5 Locomotives in Kerala are not a Rarity Anymore

It used to be a rare event spotting WAP5 locomotives in Kerala not so long ago. The WAP5 is a 6000 hp Bo’-Bo’ three phase AC electric locomotive specifically used by the Indian Railways to haul high-speed passenger trains. Given the low speeds and many stops the trains and the terrain and the many curves of the railway tracks in Kerala the WAP5 was not of much use for the trains in the state. However, since the electrification of the Konkan Railway was complete we had been seeing more WAP5 locomotives in Kerala. And more recently Indian Railways seems to have been experiencing a shortage of locomotives. which has has resulted in many trains coming in from the north being hauled by these (relatively) pint-sized powerhouses.

For instance this was the 12202 Trivandrum North (Kochuveli) – Mumbai LTT Garib Rath being hauled by a WAP5 #20165 of the Gaziyabad shed seen far away from home at Kottayam railway station on a typically rainy day. There was another WAP5 resting at Kochuveli the same day.