DEVELOPMENT :
The origins of WAG-12 can be traced back to a railway project approval in 2006, but no progress was made in the months that followed.In June 2008, the Ministry of Railways invited bids from global firms to design and develop the locomotives. The initial deal was to set up a new electric locomotive factory at Madhepura, Bihar to build and maintain 660 high-horsepower locomotives in a joint venture where Indian Railways would hold a 26% stake and the bidder 74%. This would have been the first foreign direct investment in the fully state-owned railway sector of the country. This invitation received bids from General Electric, Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens, China CNR, and CSR Corporation Limited. The number of locomotives to...
more... be built was also increased from 660 to 800. The Research Design and Standards Organisation published a specification in June 2013, detailing the capability requirements for an eight-axle locomotive intended to be used on Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC). It was not until November 2015, however, that Alstom was finally awarded the contract to build the locomotives.[15]
The eight-axle design of the locomotive reportedly improves performance and minimizes energy consumption and maintenance costs. The locomotive incorporates special features based on the Alstom Prima T8 for operations in humid or dusty environments and extreme temperatures ranging from −50 °C (−58 °F) to 50 °C (122 °F). The cabin of the locomotive is comparatively larger and offers better comfort for drivers, especially during long-distance operations. The locomotives can also be equipped with climate control systems such as air conditioners, food preparation and storage facilities, and even a toilet—a standard that Indian Railways introduced in 2016