Indian Railways' HOG system will make trains more silent, eco-friendly

With Head On Generation (HOG) system, Indian Railways will make travelling in trains more silent and eco-friendly, as it is expected to remove two generator cars placed on either side of the trains soon, said Railway Board Member (Rolling Stock) Rajesh Agarwal, while addressing a press conference here yesterday. He told reporters, "It has planned to convert all LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) trains to adopt the new environment-friendly HOG system within this year."

According to Agarwal, till date 342 trains have already been converted into HOG, which has helped the national transporter save Rs 800 crore approximately per year, adding that 284 more trains are to be converted into HOG by the year end.

The senior railway official said that in 2017, decision was taken for complete switch over to LHB technology, adding "After this decision, adoption of HOG conversion has been taken in mission mode to complete the work in time bound manner." Notably, the power generator cars used to make huge noise and emit fumes. 

The two generator cars will be replaced with one standby silent generator car for emergency situations, he said, adding that in place of the other car, there will be LSLRD (LHB Second Luggage, Guard and Divyaang compartment).

"This LSLRD will also have capability to convert power from the overhead supply to be utilised in the entire train while providing space for luggage guard room and additional passengers," the railway officer said, adding "Currently, the cost of power is over Rs 36 per unit and with HOG it will be available at Rs 6 per unit." 

He also pointed out that all new coaches from production units are to be HOG compliant.

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Till date, 13 Rajdhani Express, 14 Shatabdi Express, 11 Duranto Express, six Sampark Kranti Express, 16 Humsafar Express and 282 other mail and express trains have been converted to the new HOG system, he added.