PATIALA LOCOMOTIVE WORKS

The Organization Profile

Introduction and historical backdrop…

Administrative Building, PLW

Diesel locomotives were introduced in Indian Railways in late 1950s, when first lot of diesel locomotives was imported from M/s. ALCo, USA.  With the setting up of Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) at Varanasi in the year 1961, the additions to diesel locomotive fleet started at a regular pace. In the earlier years of diesel operation, a limited demand of spares was being met either by imports or by manufacturing in DLW, Varanasi, but the demand increased with the increasing size and age of the loco fleet.

To meet the ever-growing demand of high precision components required for maintenance of diesel loco fleet, a decision was taken in the year 1979 to set up a dedicated Diesel Component Works at Patiala. The Foundation Stone of Diesel Component Works (DCW), Patiala was laid on October 24, 1981 and production started in 1986. Besides manufacturing diesel engine components, DCW also started rehabilitation of Traction Machines (Traction Motors and Traction Alternators), Engine Blocks (Crank-case) and Power Packs, giving them a new lease of life.

 

A bird’s eye view of PLW Workshop

Production Shops were also set up for chrome plating of cylinder liners and manufacturing of carbon brushes of various types for traction and auxiliary machines. A dedicated Bogie Shop was set up for manufacturing of Motorized Truck Assemblies (Bogies) and Motorized Wheel Sets for supply as unit exchange spares to diesel loco maintenance sheds.

Later, a decision was taken to carry out Mid-life Rebuilding (MLR) of diesel locomotives which has rendered a service life of 16-18 years.  Accordingly, Phase-II project of DCW was sanctioned and the MLR work started in 1989. During MLR, retro-upgrades of technology were also applied to increase the horse power of locomotives from 2600HP to 3100HP, improve their fuel efficiency and also reduce their maintenance periodicity. With this, the unit was rechristened from DCW to Diesel Loco Modernization Works (DMW) in July, 2003 to signify the modernization of diesel locomotives being done here. Since inception, 2296 ALCo diesel locos have been rehabilitated/modernized by DMW.

DMW also started manufacturing new WDM3D 3300HP ALCo Locomotives in 2010-11 but the activity was discontinued after 2015-16.  Till then 227 new WDM3D locomotives were manufactured by DMW. To cater to the shunting requirements, Multi-Genset Locos were conceived which were having fuel saving of 15-20%. First such loco was turned out in Mar’13 and three such locos were manufactured thereafter.

 

Rebuilt WDP1 ALCo Diesel Locomotive	Fuel-Efficient Multi-Gen Set WDM2G Diesel Locomotive

 

DMW acted as a nodal agency to provide maintenance support for the entire fleet of ALCo design diesel locomotives owned by Indian Railways. It included bulk procurement and distribution of critical maintenance spares to all Zonal Railways, entering into AMCs and RCs for critical systems, planning and execution of retro-upgrades on locomotives sanctioned under Rolling Stock Program of Indian Railways.

From the last few years (from 2017-18), Indian Railways has embarked on the path of complete electrification of all its routes, at an accelerated pace. As a result, DMW had to realign itself with the changing requirements of nation. Leveraging its inherent strength of lean and agile working, it quickly transformed itself into a new electric locomotive manufacturing unit. The first 3-Phase IGBT based 6000HP WAP7 Electric Loco was turned out from DMW in Feb’18 and its series production was started from 2018-19 onwards.

3 phase IGBT based 6000HP WAP7 Passenger Electric Locomotive	8- Wheeler Diesel Electric Tower Car (DETC/US)

 

Adding another feather to its cap, DMW started manufacturing much needed Tower Cars for the massive electrification projects being under taken by Indian Railways. The first 8-Wheeler Diesel Electric Tower Car (DETC) was manufactured in Dec’2018 and its series production was started from 2019-20. As the pandemic forced Railways to give priority to freight traffic, DMW introduced manufacturing of electric freight locos for the first time and the first WAG9HC locomotive was turned out in March 2021.

DMW also took up a project to convert diesel locomotives to a 10000 HP twin electric loco, and the prototype WAG10 loco was turned out from DMW in March’21.

Again, due to these major changes in its product profile, it has been renamed as Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW) on 28/01/2022, giving it a full-fledged status of a Production Unit of Indian Railways.

 

3 phase 6000HP freight Locomotive (WAG9HC)	10000HP Converted Electric Locomotive (WAG10)

 

Not sitting on these laurels, PLW has transformed its existing infrastructure to cater to changing requirements of Indian Railways. The facilities, which were earlier dedicated to diesel locomotives, have been converted for providing maintenance support to electric loco sheds. In this direction, it started overhauling and rehabilitation of traction motors used on Hitachi as well as new generation 3-Phase electric locomotives. To fully utilize the existing infra-structure, PLW started producing new 3-Phase 6FRA6068 Traction Motors in-house for meeting its own needs of new loco manufacturing.

The Bogie Shop of PLW, which is unique of its kind, has catapulted itself to manufacturing new Motorized Bogies and Motorized Wheel Sets for electric locos for supply to Zonal Railways. It has now developed capabilities to manufacture all kinds of bogies for diesel as well as electric locos.

With its inherent strengths, PLW is all geared up to achieve new heights and serve the nation to the best of its capabilities.

 

 

IMPORTANT MILESTONES

Foundation Stone of the Project laid	Oct'81
Loco Components manufacturing started	Jan’86
First Rebuilt WDM2 Locomotive turned Out	Nov’89
First Rebuilt WDM3A (3100 HP) Locomotive turned out	Jan'00
First Rebuilt WDM3C (3300 HP) Locomotive turned out	Nov’02
First WDM3D ALCO Locomotive manufactured	Mar’11
Fitment of Electronic Fuel Injection System in ALCO Loco	Aug'11
Fitment of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for fuel saving	Oct’12
First Multi Gen Set Loco manufactured	Mar’13
First WDG3A loco was supplied to NRC (NTPC)	Mar’16
First 3-Phase IGBT based 6000 HP WAP7 Electric Loco produced	Feb’18
First  8-W Diesel Electric Tower Car (DETC) produced	Dec’18
First 6FRA 6068 Traction Motor Manufactured in-house	Dec’18
First 3-Ph IGBT based 6000 HP WAG9HC Electric Loco produced	Mar’21
First 10000 HP WAG10 Twin Electric Locomotive produced by conversion of Diesel Locos	Mar’21
400th DETC turned out from PLW	Feb’25
1000th 3-Phase electric loco turned out	Mar’25

 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES

Land & Buildings

(i)	Workshop area (Sq m)	8,37,936
(ii)	Township area (Sq m)	14,16,800
(iii)	Total Area (Sq m)	22,54,736 (557 Acres)
(iv)	Covered area in Workshop (Sq m)	93,372
(v)	Covered area of other service buildings (Sq m)	25,520

 

                 Staff Quarters

Type-I	Type-II	Type-III	Type-IV	Type-IV (Special)	Type-V	PLW House	Total
329	940	272	86	64	52	1	1744

 

Township is self-sufficient in all basic amenities such as Hospital, School, Shopping Centre, Bank, Post Office, Recreational and Sports facilities.

Electrical Services

Electrical power requirement
(i)  Average demand (monthly)	2042 kVA
(ii)  Maximum demand (monthly)	2677.5 kVA
Number of H.T. sub stations	11
Roof-top Solar Power generation capacity	2150 kWp
Electrical Energy Consumption incl. Solar (2024-25)	100.30 lakh kWh
Renewable energy generated (2024-25)	22.52 lakh kWh
Standby power generation capacity (DG sets)	2320 kVA

 

Water Supplies

Water consumption (unit to Mega litres) (2024-25)	1455
Rain Water Harvesting Pits (nos.)	24

 

Railway Hospital

No. of beds in hospital

50

 

 

WORKSHOPS AND MANPOWER RESOURCES

Manufacturing & Support Shops

• Light Machine Shop
• Heat Treatment Shop
• Traction Machine Shop
• Plant Maintenance Shop
• Tool Room
• Electronics Lab

Assembly and Testing Shops

• Loco Assembly Shop
• Bogie Shop
• Light Fabrication Shop
• Electrical & Commissioning Shop
• Air Brake Shop
• Loco Testing & Paint shop

Manpower Resources

SN	Group	Sanctioned Strength	On Roll
(i)	Group-A	77+1 (WC)	54
(ii)	Group-B	29	35
(iii)	Group-C	2956	2033
(iv)	Level-1 (Erstwhile Grp “D” now Grp “C”)	476	176
	Total	3538+1(WC)	2298

 

 

QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENT

            Certifications and Accreditations

• IS/ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
• ISO/TS/22163:2017 International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS)
• IS/ISO 14001:2015 Environment management System
• IS/ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety
• IS/ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System
• IS/ISO:3834-2: 2005 for welding processes
• ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 NABL accreditation for C&M Lab
• 5S certification for work place management.

             Awards, Ratings and Recognitions

• State level Energy conservation award under categories of large scale industries in 2023.
• State level Energy conservation award under categories of commercial building (PLW Hospital) in 2023.
• Best Production Unit of Indian Railways for the year 2022-2023.
• GreenCo Certification achieved with Gold Rating (2023)
• Green Building Certification with Platinum Rating for PLW Administrative Building (2022)
• Energy Efficient UnitNational Award-2022 by CII Hyderabad (4^th time in a row)
• Winner of Environment & Cleanliness Shield in the 66th National Railway Awards-2021
•  Golden Peacock Award – 2020 (Energy Efficiency)

 

PLW team with Minister of Railways receiving Best PU Shield

 

PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE

 

PLW PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE FOR FY 2024-2025

SN	Product/Type of Rolling Stock	Production during 2024-2025
1	New WAP7 Electric Locos (Nos)	121
2	New WAG9H -Electric Locos (Nos)	183
3	New 8-Wheeler Diesel Electric Tower Cars (DETC) (nos.)	103
4	Motorized Truck Assemblies (Bogies) for WAP7/ WAG9HC locos	92
5	Motorized Wheel Sets for electric and diesel locos (nos.)	130
6	Supply of other items (value in Crs.)	390
	Total Value of Production (in Crores of Rs.)	4153.76

 

 

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Technical Training Centre

A Technical Training Centre is functioning at PLW, Supervisors and Technicians undergo Initial and Refresher Training Courses at Technical Training Centre, PLW. Besides this, courses on Industrial Safety, Fire Fighting and First Aid are also conducted regularly. In addition, a ‘Knowledge Centre for CNC Machines’ was set up in 2017, where specialized courses for Programming, Operations and Maintenance of CNC Machines are regularly conducted, not only for PLW staff but also for maintenance staff of Zonal Railways. However, for the time being these courses are being delivered online due to pandemic related constraints.

 

SPORTS AND WELFARE

PLW has a rich sporting culture and is actively associated with the promotion of sports among its employees and their wards. PLW Sports Association is headed by Patron/Principal Chief Administrative Officer and supported by President, HGS& Jt. Secretaries of PLWSA.

PLW has a lush green Stadium that boasts of having excellent facilities for Cricket, Kabaddi, Volleyball and Athletics. Besides the green and clean Stadium, the Golf course is another feather in our cap. A dedicated red sand walking path at PLW Stadium has also been made for promoting Morning & Evening walks by employees.

PLW has a most advanced and well-equipped modern gymnasium having all physical fitness facilities for Cardiac and Muscular Fitness for our Sportspersons and employees. A new Boxing Hall having two Boxing Rings facilities is constructed and operationalized in PLW Stadium.Many out-door gyms are also installed at PLW Colony I & II. A Synthetic Lawn-Tennis Court, two wooden badminton courts & Squash court is also available in PLW premises. Sports Hostels with accommodation facilities for 60 persons are also available in PLW. A new Sports Hostel with capacity to accommodate 35 persons is also under construction and same may be completed shortly. 

Achievements:

PLW Players have performed exceptionally well, especially in Athletics. Achievements of PLW Sports persons during 01/04/2024 to 31/03/2025

 

• Following sportspersons participated in 63rd National Inter State Senior Athletics Championship 2024 w.e.f. 27/06/2024 to 30/06/2024 as followed:

1. Ms.Annu Rani in Javelin Throw - Gold Medal
2. Ms.Kiran in 400 mtr - Gold Medal

(Ms.Kiran qualified for Olympics Games 2024 with time 50.92 sec in 400 mtr)

• Three women Athletes participated in Olympics Games 2024w.e.f. 26/07/2024 to 11/08/2024:

1. Ms.Annu Rani in Javelin Throw
2. Ms.Kiran in 400 mtr
3. Ms.Prachi in 4x400 mtr relay

• Performance in 89th AIR Athletics Championship 2024-25 w.e.f. 09/08/2024 to 11/08/2024 of Athletes as under:

1. ManpreetKaur in Shot-put - Bronze Medal
2. Sh. EknathSambhaji in 35km Race Walk - Gold Medal

• Following sportspersons participated in 63rd National open athletics championship 2024-25 w.e.f. 30/08/2024 to 02/09/2024.

1. Annu Rani in javelin Throw - Gold Medal
2. ManpreetKaur in Shot-Put - Gold Medal
3. EknathSambhaji in 35 km Walk - Bronze Medal

• Sh. Ankit, Boxer of PLW wonSilver Medal in 78^th AIR boxing championship 2024-25 w.e.f 24/09/24 to 27/09/24.
• Ms.Annu Rani, Javelin Thrower of PLW was awarded with Arjuna Award on 17 January 2025 by President of India. She has been promoted as OSD/Sports/PLW. (Group-B, Gaz.) on out of turn basis on sports account.

Apart from the above, following Inter Department Tournaments, AIR coaching camps & AIR championships and development of sports infra. has also been successfully organised at PLW/Patiala:- 

• AIR Athletics (M&W) coaching camp (Throw event) organised w.e.f. 28/03/2024 to 26.04.2024.
• 67^th All India Railway Cricket (Men) Championship 2023-24 (Knock-out matches) organized w.e.f.  15/04/2024 to 20/04/2024.
• Indian Railways U-23 Men’s Cricket team coaching camp organised w.e.f. 24/08/2024 to 07/09/2024
• 38^th Inter Department Cricket Tournament 2024-25 organised w.e.f. 22/12/2024 to 23/02/2025.
• Renovated Qtr. No. 12 & 13-V earmarked as “Raavi sports hostel” has been operationalised on 30^th Oct 2024.
• Inauguration of Newly built Gym “NETRA FITNESS ZONE” on 26/01/2025.
• Inauguration of renovated “PLW Boxing Hall” on 27/02/2025 in PLW stadium.
• Inauguration of “Sports equipment Hub” on 27/02/2025 in PLW stadium.
• 68^th All India Railway Cricket (Men) Championship 2025-26 (League matches) organized w.e.f.  02/03/2025 to 10/03/2025.