Diesel Loco Shed, Golden Rock

The foundation stone for the shed was laid on 25 December 1971 by the then Railway Minister, K. Hanumanthaiah. The shed opened for operations in 1975 with a total area of {{convert|169000|sqm|m2|lk=in|sigfig=2}} and covered area of {{convert|19600|sqm|m2|lk=in|sigfig=2}}.{{cite web|title=Diesel Loco Shed, Golden Rock - About |url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/DLS/SR/goldenrock.pdf |publisher=Indian Railways |access-date=19 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421063031/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/DLS/SR/goldenrock.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2015}}

The shed initially homed 45 of the YDM-4 class metre-gauge locomotives. Three subsequent expansions were taken up which resulted in the holding capacity being increased to 100 metre gauge locomotives (1998), 40 broad-gauge locomotives (1993) and 100 broad gauge locomotives (2000).

The shed was started as a metre-gauge shed. However with expansion over time, the bays and catwalks were converted from metre gauge to broad-gauge standards to home broad-gauge locomotives. Later, the shed went for a major expansion of its bays at a cost of {{INRConvert|14|c}} to undertake maintenance activity for the unconventionally longer high-speed fuel efficient 4,500-horsepower (3,400 kW) EMD 710 locos (WDG-4, WDP-4B, WDP-4D and WDG-4D), which are homed since July 2011, thus becoming the first-of-its-kind shed in South India to maintain such high powered locos, which were extensively utilised for both passenger and freight services.{{Cite news|title = New bays opened at Golden Rock Diesel Loco Shed|date = 2 January 2014|url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/new-bays-opened-at-golden-rock-diesel-loco-shed/article5529084.ece|work = The Hindu|location = Tiruchi|access-date = 8 January 2014}}{{cite news|title=New broad gauge bay inaugurated at Golden Rock workshop|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/New-broad-gauge-bay-inaugurated-at-Golden-Rock-workshop/articleshow/28302697.cms|access-date=19 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=3 January 2014}} The shed also houses a Diesel Traction and Training Centre (DTTC), opened on 7 April 1988, to impart theoretical and practical training for the newly recruited Assistant Loco Pilots, Engineers and other technical staffs. The centre only one of its kind in the zone also conducts periodical refresher courses for the in-service staffs of Indian Railways, and also too railway personnels from other countries.{{cite news|title=Goldenrock training programme a hit with Sudan railway staff|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021708430200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060225085825/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021708430200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 February 2006|access-date=19 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=17 February 2006}}{{cite news|title=Divisional Training Centres to come up|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/divisional-training-centres-to-come-up/article3169327.ece|access-date=19 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 March 2006}} The DTTC along with Zonal Railway Training Institute (ZRTI), Trichy made a mark by imparting training to women, by which Narayana Vadivu and Jhansi Rani, became the first all women loco crew in the history of Southern Railway zone piloting a goods train on the Chord Line.{{cite news|last=R. Rajaram|title=Southern Railway deploys women to pilot goods train|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/southern-railway-deploys-women-to-pilot-goods-train/article5184091.ece|access-date=19 January 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=30 September 2013}} With Indian Railways inching towards 100% Electrification Mission, two of its Old Metre Gauge bays have been converted into New Electrified Broad Gauge ones. Electric Loco trials in these bays with an Erode Shed (EDDX) WAP-4 locomotive, numbered 22273, were conducted successfully on 3 February 2022, with the commissioning of these E-locos expected anytime soon.

The shed, headed by Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer (Diesel), has about 750 employees in different ranks in the day-to-day operations of the shed, which include periodical overhaul, maintenance and repair works.{{cite web|title=Chapter 2 : Assessment, Procurement/ Production, Utilisation and Maintenance of Locomotives in Indian Railways |url=http://www.cag.gov.in/reports/railways/2003_9/chapter2.htm |work=Comptroller and Auditor General of India |access-date=19 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231141/http://www.cag.gov.in/reports/railways/2003_9/chapter2.htm |archive-date=1 February 2014}} The locos of this shed were thoroughly traverses over entire South India for passenger and freight services.{{cite news|last=J Arockiaraj|title=Locomotive failures affecting train operations in Madurai division|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-06/madurai/41832992_1_locomotives-madurai-railway-division-v-ajithkumar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201235925/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-06/madurai/41832992_1_locomotives-madurai-railway-division-v-ajithkumar|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2014|access-date=19 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=6 September 2013}}

The shed was adjudged the best shed among in the Southern Railway zone during 2012–2013. Also it won the "Performance Efficiency Shield" for the fifth time, since its inception in 2004–2005.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/|name=Railway Board}}
• {{Official website|http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/|name=Southern Railway zone}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Locomotives Sheds of India}}

{{Transport in Tiruchirappalli}}

*

GOLDEN

Category:1975 establishments in Tamil Nadu

Category:Rail transport in Tiruchirappalli