Faulty locomotive traction motors cause frequent train stalls on Bhairab railway bridge
Photo Collected
Trains operating on Bangladesh’s eastern railway network are facing persistent operational disruptions at the Bhairab Railway Bridge, where steep inclines are causing engines to stall, leading to delays ranging from 30 minutes to three hours.
According to railway officials, at least six such incidents have been recorded between May and July. The recurring issue primarily affects trains departing from the Bhairab station, which is located approximately one kilometer from the bridge. Because the approach to the bridge is steeply graded, engines failing to generate sufficient momentum or tractive force are unable to ascend, often requiring multiple attempts or the deployment of auxiliary engines to clear the crossing.
The root cause of these failures is identified as a critical shortage of functional traction motors—the electrical components responsible for converting energy into the torque required to rotate locomotive wheels. Railway guidelines stipulate that each locomotive should be equipped with four functioning traction motors. However, due to maintenance deficits, many engines are operating with only one, two, or three functional motors, leaving them unable to pull full-load passenger trains up the incline.
Muhammad Kudrat-e-Khuda, Joint Director General (Mechanical) of Bangladesh Railway, confirmed that the lack of adequate traction motors prevents locomotives from operating at full capacity. This mechanical strain is exacerbated by high passenger density, which increases the weight of the trains.
The impact extends beyond individual delays, causing a cascading effect on the entire eastern railway schedule, which includes key routes connecting Dhaka to Chittagong, Sylhet, and Noakhali. Station master Yusuf noted that while such technical failures were historically common with heavy container freight, they now frequently plague passenger services, causing significant passenger distress and disrupting subsequent train movements.
Locomotive masters have raised concerns regarding transparency and safety, noting that they are frequently not informed about the mechanical condition of their engines before departure. Drivers claim that if they were aware of an engine’s reduced traction capabilities, they could adjust their approach speeds to compensate for the incline. Furthermore, stalling in the isolated area near the bridge poses significant security risks, including potential theft and robberies.
The broader systemic issue lies in the aging locomotive fleet. Eastern Railway reports that 70 percent of its 150 meter-gauge locomotives have exceeded their operational lifespan. Estimates suggest that at least 30 percent of these engines lack the mandatory four-motor configuration. While railway engineers, including Chief Mechanical Engineer (East) Sadekur Rahman, cite a shortage of both functional parts and skilled operators as contributing factors, the recurring failures underscore the infrastructure challenges facing the national rail network.
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