Power Meets Rain | Indian Railways WAG-9HC Freight at Mankara Station

Power Meets Rain | Indian Railways WAG-9HC Freight at Mankara Station
📍 Mankara Railway Station, Palakkad, Kerala
📅 30 May 2025
🚂 Locomotive: WAG-9HC #32206 (Ludhiana Electric Loco Shed)
⚡ Power Output: 6120 HP
💪 Tractive Effort: 510 kN
🏭 Built by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW)
🛢️ Hauling 26 LPG Tankers
🌧️ Filmed during Kerala’s Monsoon Season 2025
💨 Features: IGBT propulsion & regenerative braking
🇮🇳 Indian Railways Heavy Freight in Action
📷 Captured by Palakkad Roads & Rails

Witness the Mighty WAG-9HC 32206 Haul 26 LPG Tankers Through Kerala’s Monsoon Magic – A Railfan’s Delight!

On 30th May 2025, amidst the rhythmic downpour of the South Indian monsoon, we captured a stunning sight — a massive Indian Railways freight train with 26 LPG tankers charging through Mankara Railway Station in Palakkad district, Kerala, powered by the mighty WAG-9HC #32206 locomotive from Ludhiana Electric Loco Shed (LDH).

This video is a tribute to the power, efficiency, and reliability of Indian Railways’ freight operations, even in the challenging terrain and unpredictable weather of Kerala’s monsoon season.

🚂 Locomotive Details: WAG-9HC #32206 (LDH)
The WAG-9HC is one of the most powerful electric freight locomotives in India. Designed and built by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), it belongs to the WAG-9 series, which was developed with ABB/Hitachi traction technology for Indian Railways’ heavy freight hauling needs. Here are some impressive facts about this beast:

Power Output: 6120 horsepower (4.6 MW)
Maximum Tractive Effort: 510 kN (approx.)
Traction System: IGBT-based 3-phase AC drive
Top Speed: 100 km/h
Axle Load: 22.5 tonnes
Braking: Regenerative electric braking with air brakes
Livery: Standard green/grey with yellow stripe
Shed: Ludhiana Electric Loco Shed (LDH), Northern Railway

This particular unit, WAG-9HC #32206, entered service in October 2018 and has since been a part of countless freight assignments across India, showcasing its robustness and long-haul capabilities.

🛢️ Freight Consist: 26 LPG Tanker Wagons
The train in this video consists of BTPN-type wagons (Bogey Tank Wagon for Petroleum and Natural Gas), specifically designed for the safe transportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). These wagons are equipped with safety relief valves, protective casings, and high-tensile-strength construction to prevent any leakage or fire hazards.

Each wagon typically holds around 21,000 to 23,000 liters of LPG, making this one of the most critical logistics operations in the country — ensuring energy supplies reach their destinations efficiently and safely.

📍 About the Location: Mankara Railway Station, Palakkad
Located in the heart of Kerala, Mankara Station lies on the Palakkad–Shoranur section of the Southern Railway. While modest in scale, it serves as a scenic and strategic point for observing rail traffic, especially freight trains moving between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Surrounded by lush greenery and paddy fields, Mankara transforms into a serene railfanning hotspot during the monsoon season, with the misty ambiance and glistening tracks providing the perfect cinematic backdrop.

🌧️ Monsoon Railfanning – Kerala Style
Kerala’s monsoon is not just about rain — it’s a mood. The heavy downpour, the low-hanging clouds, the swaying palms, and the shimmering rails together create an atmosphere that every railfan dreams of. Capturing a freight train of this scale, in such weather, is an experience worth sharing — and that’s exactly what this video aims to deliver.

🎥 Shot & Curated by: Palakkad Roads & Rails
This video is part of our ongoing effort at Palakkad Roads & Rails to document the railways, roads, and transportation networks of India with a focus on civic sense, safety, and infrastructure. We bring you close-up views of both express and freight trains, forgotten halts, abandoned stations, and unique railway operations — all while celebrating the natural beauty of Kerala.

📸 What You’ll See in This Video
✅ WAG-9HC 32206 in action
✅ 26 LPG tankers rolling on wet tracks
✅ The rhythmic monsoon ambiance
✅ Electric loco sounds harmonizing with thunder & rain
✅ Real-time freight operations from Indian Railways
✅ One of Kerala’s beautiful countryside stations
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHmQcB8NXZA
June 2, 2025 at 10:10AM

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