30 Jan 2024 - MGOL - Vallabh - India's first Bi-Current Rail Locomotive.

30 Jan...Another important day for all Rail Fans in Western India including me.

52 years ago, on 30 January 1972, India’s first Bi-current (AC & DC) Electric Locomotive WCAM 1 No. 21800 rolled out of the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works CLW, Chittaranjan (Asansol – Bengal), started its service on the Mumbai – Ahmedabad Route (Better known as Virar – Sabarmati Main Line) of the Western Railway.

It was named Vallabh – honouring the First Deputy PM of India and the man behind the unified India of today – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This locomotive and its variants powered the Mumbai Ahmedabad route from March 1973 until 2015. 54 locomotives were built in this class and all belonged to the Valsad Loco Shed (Station Code - BL) in Gujarat. I, a visitor to Gujarat since childhood – visiting my relatives and then for the full duration of my University education (I was educated at the prestigious The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara) - This locomotive was always the part of my growing up with so many memories.  I was fortunate to travel in many trains hauled by Vallabh.

Not many good photos and videos exist of this corporate looking locomotive. I don’t know why - but this loco design always reminded me of a corporate executive with a Tie.

Vallabh hauling Ahmedabad - Pune Ahinsa Express – entering Pune. 

Vallabh – The perfect corporate executive look and feel – well groomed and mannered!

Tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from Indian Railways

Vallabh on duty with Pune - Indore Express passing through Kelve Road (near Palghar, 78 Kms north of Mumbai Central) on a rainy night. Video by Arzan Kotwal.

Note the typical announcement in the Mumbai Suburban Train System right at the start of the video - Platform 2 Se Tej Gadi Pass Ho Rahi Hain. Krupaya Line Se Door Rahiye! (Tr. A high speed train passing through line on platform 2. Please Keep off the tracks!)

A Good Bye Video of Vallabh captured by Arzan Kotwal on the last day its duty – 06 March 2012 hauling the Borivali – Dahanu Passenger between Vaitarna and Saphale Station in Palghar District, North of Mumbai on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Main Line.

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

30 January 2024, Tuesday

First published in 2022...now a re run.

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