The engine production unit of the Indian Railways’–   ‘Diesel Locomotive Works’ (DLW), Varanasi, has developed the first prototype of a 5500 HP diesel locomotive (WDG 5). This makes it the country’s most powerful engine with a capacity to attain 100-km-per hour, making it the strongest diesel locomotive ever run on the Indian rail network.

WDG5 has brought to Indian Railways advanced technologies ie. electronic fuel engine which results in higher fuel efficiency and emission control. It simultaneously incorporates International Union of Railways (UIC) and Association of American Railroads (AAR) crash-worthiness criteria for safety.

The high horsepower locomotive design has been done by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) of Indian Railways with support of US based Electro Motive Diesel (EMD).

First in the World: With the making of this prototype Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) earns the position of becoming the first ever 5500 HP diesel engine manufacturer worldwide. It is considered to be the largest locomotive to be used on a 22-axle load in the world. There are several countries with more powerful engines carrying a load on higher axle loads.

Presently Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) are able to manufacture locomotives with horsepower ranging from 1400 HP to 5500 HP to suit compatibility of multiple track guages. Till date DLW has manufactured over 6,700 locomotives and is currently one of the biggest locomotive manufacturers in the world.