If you are specifying a new build freight wagon, evaluating a replacement bogie programme, or simply trying to understand what your current fleet is running on — this comparison exists for you.
The three dominant freight bogie types on Indian Railways — CASNUB 22HS, CASNUB 22NLB, and LWLH 25 — are not interchangeable. They are designed for different axle load regimes, different speed requirements, and different wagon applications. Choosing the wrong one does not just create a procurement problem — it creates a maintenance and operational problem that compounds over the wagon’s 30-year life.
Loco Castings Private Limited manufactures all three variants at our fully integrated EAF foundry in Andal, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal.
The Quick Comparison Table
| Parameter | CASNUB 22HS | CASNUB 22NLB | LWLH 25 |
| Max Axle Load | 22.9 T | 20.32 T | 25 T |
| Max Speed | 100 km/h | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Wheel Diameter | 1000 mm | 1000 mm | 840 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2000 mm | 2000 mm | 2000 mm |
| Journal Centres | 2260 mm | 2260 mm | 2260 mm |
| CP Height (tare, RL) | 929–932 mm | 932 mm | 726.5 mm |
| Complete Weight | 5.4 T | 5.4 T | 4.95 T |
| Profile | Standard height | Standard height | Low height |
| Primary Use | High-speed heavy freight | General freight | 25T DFC wagons |
| DFC Suitable | Yes | Limited | Yes (primary choice) |
The CASNUB 22HS — The High-Speed Heavy Freight Standard
The CASNUB 22HS is the upgrade from the older 22W and 22NL designs. Its 100 km/h rating at 22.9 tonnes makes it the default specification for new build BOXNs, BTPs and heavy mineral wagons operating on both conventional and DFC routes.
Best suited for:
- Coal block wagons on high-speed freight corridors
- Petroleum tank wagons on mainline routes
- Mixed commodity covered wagons on fast freight services
- Wagon builders targeting the broadest route compatibility
The HS designation carries specific manufacturing requirements. The friction wedge geometry is tighter, the bolster wear surfaces are machined to closer tolerances, and the spring nest configuration is tuned for the damping characteristics needed at 100 km/h.
The CASNUB 22NLB — The Cost-Efficient General Freight Option
The CASNUB 22NLB (Narrow jaw, Low profile Bolster with fish-belly bolster profile) handles 20.32 tonnes at 80 km/h. It is the right choice when the route does not demand 100 km/h capability and the operating axle load sits in the 18–20 tonne range.
The fish-belly bolster profile — a thicker section at mid-span tapering towards the ends — provides enhanced bending stiffness compared to earlier 22NL designs without adding significant weight.
Best suited for:
- Short-haul mineral transport on conventional gauge
- Bagged goods and agricultural produce wagons
- Secondary line operations not requiring DFC speeds
- Fleet renewal where cost optimisation is the priority
The 22NLB is not a lesser bogie — it is a right-sized bogie for its operating envelope. Specifying a 22HS where a 22NLB is sufficient adds cost without adding service life.
The LWLH 25 — The Future of Indian Railways Heavy Freight
LWLH stands for Low profile Wide jaw Low Height — and the 25 designation marks it as India’s 25-tonne axle load standard.
This is the bogie that Indian Railways has designed around the next generation of freight infrastructure. The Dedicated Freight Corridors are built to carry 25-tonne axle loads at 100 km/h — and the LWLH 25 is the bogie that delivers this combination.
The critical design difference: the CP height of 726.5mm (versus 929–932mm for CASNUB variants). This lower centre pivot height reduces the wagon’s centre of gravity, improving stability at 100 km/h with the higher axle load. It is not just a lower bogie — it is a fundamentally better-engineered solution for high axle load operations.
The 4.95-tonne complete weight — lighter than the 5.4-tonne CASNUB variants — is a consequence of the refined casting geometry and the smaller 840mm wheel diameter (versus 1000mm for CASNUB variants).
Best suited for:
- All new build wagons targeting DFC operations
- Iron ore and coal wagons on high-capacity corridors
- Steel plant raw material wagons
- Any operator building fleet for the 2026–2035 freight infrastructure cycle
The Decision Framework — How to Choose
Step 1: What is your target route?
- DFC or future DFC routes → LWLH 25 (primary) or CASNUB 22HS (secondary)
- Conventional mainline routes → CASNUB 22HS or CASNUB 22NLB
- Short-haul secondary lines → CASNUB 22NLB
Step 2: What is your target axle load?
- 25 tonnes → LWLH 25 (only option)
- 22–22.9 tonnes → CASNUB 22HS
- Up to 20.32 tonnes → CASNUB 22NLB
Step 3: What is your speed requirement?
- 100 km/h operations → CASNUB 22HS or LWLH 25
- 80 km/h sufficient → CASNUB 22NLB acceptable
Step 4: Is low wagon floor height required?
- Container flats or roll-on/roll-off platforms → LWLH 25 (lower CP height)
- Standard wagon height → CASNUB variants
What the Market Is Specifying in 2026
India’s freight wagon market is expected to nearly double by 2031 IBEF, driven by DFC operations and the national freight loading target. The trajectory is clearly towards higher axle loads and higher speeds — which means the LWLH 25 is increasingly the default specification for new build freight wagons targeting long-term operations.
However, the CASNUB 22HS remains strongly relevant for:
- Fleet renewal of existing wagon types
- Routes where the full DFC infrastructure is not yet in service
- Operators with existing CASNUB-spec workshop tooling and maintenance experience
The CASNUB 22NLB continues to serve a large installed base and remains the right procurement choice for operators not targeting DFC speed or load capability.
A Note on Component Interchangeability
Some components are shared across CASNUB variants — and some are not. This matters for maintenance planning:
Shared across CASNUB 22HS and 22NLB:
- Wheelbase: 2000mm ✓
- Journal centres: 2260mm ✓
- General side frame profile (with variant-specific differences)
Not interchangeable:
- LWLH 25 wedges vs CASNUB wedges — different geometry, different IS specification
- LWLH centre pivot vs HS centre pivot — different height and load profile
- Bolsters — the 22NLB fish-belly profile differs from the 22HS bolster
LCPL manufactures HS wedges and LWLH wedges as separate product lines. We also manufacture the HS CP Top and Bottom, Spherical Centre Pivot, and LWLH Pivot — the full sub-component range across all three bogie variants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I fit LWLH 25 bogies on an existing BOXN wagon designed for CASNUB 22HS? No. The LWLH 25’s lower CP height (726.5mm vs 929mm) means the wagon underframe geometry would need to be modified. These are not drop-in replacements — wagon design and bogie type are specified together.
Q: Which bogie is best for iron ore transport? For DFC routes: LWLH 25 at 25 tonnes axle load. For conventional routes: CASNUB 22HS at 22.9 tonnes. Iron ore density means wagons run at maximum axle load almost every journey — choose based on route first.
Q: Does LCPL manufacture all three variants? Yes. LCPL manufactures CASNUB 22HS, CASNUB 22NLB, and LWLH 25 bogies along with all associated sub-components — wedges, centre pivots, struts and end pieces. Contact sales@lococastings.in for specifications and pricing.
Q: What is the RFT bogie and how does it compare to CASNUB? The RFT (Roller Bearing Freight Truck) bogie uses cartridge roller bearings replacing the traditional adapter-and-wedge arrangement. It is designed for very long-haul freight at higher speeds with reduced maintenance intervals. LCPL manufactures the RFT bogie — see our RFT bogie page for specifications.
Q: Is the LWLH 25 approved for all wagon types on Indian Railways? The LWLH 25 is RDSO-approved and is the standard design for 25T axle load wagons. Its use is specified by RDSO drawing and wagon type — consult the specific wagon specification for confirmation.