Indian locomotive class WCAM-1

The Indian locomotive class WCAM-1 is a class of Bi-current (25 kV AC and 1.5 kV DC) electric locomotives that was developed in the 1972 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), DC Current (C), AC Current (A), Mixed traffic (M) locomotive, 1st generation (1). They entered service in March 1973. A total of 54 WCAM-1 were built at CLW between 1973 and 1979, which made them the most numerous class of mainline dual-power AC-DC electric locomotive.

WCAM-1[1]
WCAM-1 with Pune bound 11095 (ADI-PUNE) Ahimsa Express
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerRDSO
BuilderChittaranjan Locomotive Works
Build date1973 - 9[2]
Total producedWCAM-1: 54
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo'Co'
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
BogiesALCo High-Adhesion Tri-mount cast
Wheel diameterNew: 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Half-worn:1,055 mm (3 ft 5 1⁄2 in)
Full-worn:1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Wheelbase14,432 mm (47 ft 4 1⁄4 in)
LengthOver Coupler faces : 20.950 m (68 ft 8 3⁄4 in)
Over headstocks : 19.680 m (64 ft 6 3⁄4 in)
Width3.055 m (10 ft 1⁄4 in)
Height4.121 m (13 ft 6 1⁄4 in)
Axle load18.8 tonnes (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons)
Loco weight112.8 tonnes (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC, 1.5 kV DC overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph a separate one for AC and DC
Traction motorsAlstom TAO-659A1
MU workingNot possible
Loco brakeAir/Parking
Train brakesVacuum/Air[3]
Safety systemsSlip Control, Main Overload relay, Motor Overload Relay, Over Voltage relay, Earth fault relay, Low Pressure Governor and Brake Cylinder Cutoff Valve
Performance figures
Maximum speedStarting : 100 km/h (62 mph)(DC)/120 km/h (75 mph)(AC)
Continuous : 60 km/h (37 mph)(AC)/35 km/h (22 mph)(DC)
Power output1 hour : 3,850 hp (2,871 kW)(AC)
Continuous : 2,350 hp (1,752 kW)(DC)
3,640 hp (2,714 kW)(AC)
Tractive effortStarting : 33,840 kgf (331,900 N; 74,600 lbf)(AC)/23,200 kgf (228,000 N; 51,000 lbf)(DC)
Continuous : 22,800 kgf (224,000 N; 50,000 lbf)(DC)/16,000 kgf (160,000 N; 35,000 lbf)(AC)
Factor of adh.Dry : 0.3(AC)/0.25(DC)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
NumbersStarting from 21800 to 21852
NicknamesVallabh for No.-21800
LocaleWestern Railway, Central Railway
First run1975
Last run2015

The WAM-4 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways having served both passenger and freight trains for over 40 years. This class is Bi-current version of the WAM-4 class. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like WAP-5 and WAP-7, the aging fleet of WCAM-1 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller passenger trains and have been fully withdrawn from mainline duties. All units have been scrapped with no locomotives preserved.

History

WCAM-1 was a class of locomotive used in the Indian Railways system. They were the first locomotives from the WCAM class. These locos were operational in routes around Mumbai. These locomotives worked on both AC as well as DC as their classification suggested.[4] They hauled trains from DC section of suburban railway to AC section and thus performed a very critical task as they could easily operate on both AC and DC. However they performed poorly in DC mode compared to AC mode but they were very robust and had easy operating and handling characteristics. These were 1st class of Wide Gauge's (W) Bi-current charged (CA - runs both under AC and DC) and Mixed load series (M - hauls both passenger and freight trains). These were the first electric locomotives to enter Western Railway's Mumbai division; prior to that steam and diesel locomotives used to haul trains in Western Railway's Mumbai division. These brought an end to the steam era in this division. They were also the first locomotives allotted to Valsad (BL) shed. Their top speed under DC was the lowest, as compared to other Bi-current charged locomotives. They were the first Bi-current charged locomotives in the country. Initially all were vacuum braked but were retrofitted with air brakes to make them dual braked. Some also had their vacuum brakes replaced with air brakes. Introduced in 1975. One of the single pantographs on the WCAM-1 is used in dc traction; the other one carries ac current. The two pantographs were not identical, though similar in design. Originally built with vacuum brakes only, although a few (Nos. 21805, 21807, 21812, 21828, 21838, 21844, 21845, and 21850) had both vacuum and air brakes. They lacked dynamic brakes. The WCAM-1 did not use a variable ratio auto-transformer in AC mode like the others; it used a fixed-ratio transformer and rectifier bank to convert the OHE supply to 1500 V DC. The design of the transformers and notches made this a hard machine to operate, with the fusible links tending to blow often. Of the 28 notches, notches 4, 14, 21, and 28 were used for continuous operation, although notch 4 was intended for low-speed shunting and was very ineffective. Notches 14, 21, and 28 were the terminal notches of the series, series-parallel, and parallel circuit notch sequences. In DC mode, the WCAM-1 used resistor banks for speed control. However they were very robust machines and relatively easy in the handling characteristics. WCAM-1's had three traction modes (series, series-parallel, parallel) in both DC and AC mode, but using the parallel mode in DC was discouraged because of power problems. In practice this was not restrictive since series-parallel notches allowed reaching 75 km/h or so. In AC mode, the locos were almost always used with the motors in all-parallel mode. Unlike the WCAM-2 and WCAM-3 locos, no reconfiguration has been carried out to force the use of all-parallel mode with AC. Weak field operation was available. They were briefly tried out for freight use by CR, but all finally ended up with WR. The top ones getting the WCAM-2P (see below). [5/02] However, CR's Indore-Pune weekly train had been hauled by a WR WCAM-1. Max. speed 100 km/h, 110 km/h after regearing. Traction motors were nose-suspended and axle-hung.

Technical specifications[4]

Of all the 30 notches, 1-21 were DC notches allowing series operation of traction motors. Rest of the 8 notches allow series-parallel combination under DC. Under AC, the combinations were 3S-2P and 2S-3P. These locomotives could run in parallel combination but it was discouraged due to power problems under DC. Under AC, the locomotives were run under parallel notches nearly always. Although these engines were not rebuilt to use only parallel combination under AC. Field weakening of traction motors was possible at 21st and 30th notches. Voltage control was done by Tap changer operation under AC and Resistance notching under DC. Traction motors were charged by DC. Its prototypes were tested in the year 1971.[5][6]

Traction Motors Alstom/CLW TAO 659 A1 2,800 kg (6,200 lb). Axle-hung, nose-suspended and force ventilated. Temperature rise by resistance in Armature - 140 degrees Celsius (284 degrees Fahrenheit)/Field - 160 °C (320 °F). Coil resistance at 110 °C (230 °F) in Armature - 0.0151 ohms/Main pole - 0.0145 ohms/Interpole - 0.0078 ohms. Starting current - 1100 A. 1 hour rating - 798 hp (595 kW), 750 V, 870 A and 1070 RPM. Continuous rating - 585 kW (784 hp), 550 V, 840 A and 1095 RPM. Air gap in main pole - 5.5 mm (0.217 in)/Interpole - 6 mm (0.236 in). Grade of brushes - EG 367, 6 brush holders and 3 brush per holder
Gear Ratio 61:16, 58:21
Transformer BHEL made BOT 34600. 11,500 kg (25,400 lb), Forced Oil cooling, Class 'A' insulation and 32 taps. Primary rating - 3646 kVA, 22.5 kV and 162 A. Secondary rating - 3460 kVA, 1730 V (DC) and 2x1000 A (DC). Tertiary rating - 274 kVA, 1470 V and 186 A
Silicon Rectifiers 48 cells (321 UFR200) per bridge. Continuous rating - 1000 A each cubicle. 1 hour rating - 1270 V. Max starting current - 1650 A. Forced air cooling.
Pantographs Faiveley AM-12 (AC) and Faiveley AM-18B (DC)
Bogie Drive Arrangement Gear pinion
Auxiliaries 2 Headlights (750 W and 32 V). Lead Acid battery (50 cells), Rating - 110 V and 5 hours.
Motor-Alternator Set SOA-749 Alternator by Kirloskar Group(180 kVA, 400 V, 270 A, 1500 RPM and 3 phase). AY100AZ Motor by AEI (2,106 hp or 1,570 kW, 1500 RPM, 1400 V and 136 A continuous).
Number of sand boxes 16
Main Starting Resistance blower Four PETA-60 types by SF Product (11,400 m3/h or 400,000 cu ft/h). ILA2-116.2 type Motor by Siemens(9.3 kW or 12 hp, 400 V, 18 A and 2925 RPM).
Auxiliary Rectifier Rating with 2 bridges in parallel - 180 A(Continuous) and 1000 A(5 seconds)/1 bridge - 90 A(Continuous), 140 A(30 minutes) and 900 A(2 seconds). Natural Air cooling. Twenty four 324-UFR200 type cells connected by bridges.
2EC388 type Compressor by Kirloskar Rating - 792 L/min (174 imp gal/min; 209 US gal/min) at 7 kg/cm2 (100 psi). Motor - 7.5 kW or 10 hp, 38 V, 15 A and 1390 RPM.
2 Exhausters by Gresham and Craven Northey-250RE type. Two 385 V motors.
2 Traction Motor Blowers by SF Product MLBRX-42.5-1-H4 type (16,200 m3/h or 570,000 cu ft/h). 2 Motors by Siemens(22 kW (30 hp), 385 V, 41 A and 3000 RPM).
PFTA-50 Arr 6 type Smoothing Reaction Blower by SF Product Capacity - 4,200 m3/h (150,000 cu ft/h). Motor - 2.2 hp (2 kW), 380 V and 2860 RPM
MLBR-60-1-H2 type Oil Cooler Blower by SF Product Capacity - 22,200 m3/h (29,000 cuyd/h). Motor - 22 kW (30 hp), 380 V, 43 A and 1470 RPM
2 Silicon Rectifier Blowers by SF Product PHMX-40-6 type (3,400 m3/h or 120,000 cu ft/h). 2 Motors - 2 kW (3 hp), 380 V, 4.4 A and 2860 RPM.
Oil Pump by Best and Company Private Limited Capacity - 750 L/min (160 imp gal/min; 200 US gal/min) Motor - 3.3 kW (4 hp), 380 V, 66 A and 2865 RPM
SL-42 type Smoothing Reactor Rating - 1250 V and 950 A. 0.00718 ohms resistance at 110 °C (230 °F).
Notches Total 30

Locomotive shed

All 54 WCAM-1 ever built were being held by Valsad Electric Loco Shed in Gujarat. All the locos of this class had been withdrawn from service after the conversion of entire Mumbai region into AC traction.

Trains Hauled by WCAM-1

Performance[7]

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under AC for 4 wheeler wagons (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart20304050607080
Level6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+595045303380
1 in 5006000+6000+585048803640332526752100
1 in 20029002900290027352100197016301310
1 in 15022502250225021851690159513301080
1 in 100153515351535153511951145960780
1 in 50965925915795610---

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with a gear ratio of 16:61 under AC for BOX wagons (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart20304050607080
Level6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+5675
1 in 50043004300430043004300416034602820
1 in 20029752975297529752340224519001570
1 in 15025302530253023601845177515051250
1 in 1001945191018801635127512351050870
1 in 501120950940815630615--

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under AC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart2030405060708090100110120
Level1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1340
1 in 5001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1200885
1 in 2001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+14451175995760565
1 in 1501500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+14001175960815625465
1 in 1001500+1500+1500+1500+12951175995840690590450330
1 in 501165970955840655595505435345290215145

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with a gear ratio of 16:61 under AC for BOXN wagons (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart20304050607080
Level6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+
1 in 50050155015501550154900434036002980
1 in 20033053305330532252530229519451645
1 in 15027702770277025151980180515351300
1 in 1002085199019601730136512501070905
1 in 501165980975860670615525440

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under DC for 4 wheeler wagons (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart20304050607080
Level6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+430028001815
1 in 50047104710471047103640239016351110
1 in 200247024702470247021001400980675
1 in 150190019001900190016901125790545
1 in 10013901390139013901195800555-
1 in 50875875875875610---

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive fitted with TAO659A1 with a gear ratio of 16:61 under DC for BOX wagons (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart20304050607080
Level51005100510051005100510045003045
1 in 50039503950395039503950298021151490
1 in 2002700270027002700234015901140805
1 in 150231023102310231018451255895630
1 in 10017701770177016351275865610-
1 in 501020950940815630---

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under DC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart2030405060708090100
Level1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+13801040
1 in 5001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1135810630
1 in 2001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1450965660475370
1 in 1501500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1040770525375290
1 in 1001500+6000+6000+6000+1215785535360250190
1 in 5010509609308056103802451509560

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive fitted with TAO659 with a gear ratio of 16:61 under DC for BOX wagons (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart20304050607080
Level6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+6000+45402970
1 in 50045454545454545454545298020501410
1 in 2002995299529952995237515601085750
1 in 150250525052505241518551220845585
1 in 10018851885188516601275835575390
1 in 501080970945820625395255160

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with a gear ratio of 21:58 under AC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart2030405060708090100110120
Level1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+
1 in 5001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+13001070
1 in 2001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1435136012951175985830695
1 in 1501500+1330129012451195114510951050960805680575
1 in 1001470905880855830800775745690580490410
1 in 50810420415405400390380370345285240195

Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 21:58 under DC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-

Grade\km/hStart2030405060708090100
Level1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1290
1 in 5001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+11351155790
1 in 2001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1335990690475
1 in 1501500+1500+1500+1500++150013251075800555190
1 in 10012851350131512851180930760560390260
1 in 50700660650640590460370265170100

See also

References

Notes
  1. "Indian Railway".
  2. "IRFCA Specs".
  3. "Indian Railway".
  4. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : DC & Dual Current Electric". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  5. "Chronology of railways in India, Part 5 (1970 - 1995)". irfca.org. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  6. "Additional Electric Locomotive Specifications". irfca.org. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  7. "Trainweb".

Bibliography
  • Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
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