In the early 1960s Indian Railways needed a reliable diesel workhorse to gradually replace its steam locomotive fleet.

Indian Railways was keen on producing these locomotives in the country rather than depending on imports.

Thus ALCO DL560C was chosen for the job due to its easy maintenance, reliability and simple operation.

And from then on vast numbers of this loco in different configurations have been produced and remain the main diesel traction power of Indian Railways.

Initial batches arrived from the ALCO manufacturing facility in ready-to-ride condition.

Later on, improving the fluid level and bearings, the schedule was increased to 30 days.

JUMBOS (full-width short hood) and WDM-2A/2B are some of WDM-2s variants with minor modifications.

This variant has enhanced cabin facilities including left hand driving.

Features such as microprocessors to detect wheel slipping and phased manner power supply, monitoring engine parameters are incorporated from the latest EMD GT46PAC.

Serial production began in 2005 and almost all diesel broad gauge sheds were allotted with this loco.

[2] WDG-3A, previously known as WDG-2 were designed owing to the problems which arose with WDM-2 on hauling freight.

This loco has a balancing speed of 69 km/h with a load of 58 BOXN wagons (Max.

Total 1171 were built for Indian Railways and a considerable number were supplied to non Railway customers like thermal power plants, port trusts and steel plants.

A few were at Ernakulam earlier, but later all were transferred to Tondiarpet seen shunting at Chennai Central or for light passenger haulage.

Unlike their Indian counterparts, these locomotives do not have the dynamic braking system.