Indian locomotive class WCM-4

The Indian locomotive class WCM-4 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in 1956 by Vulcan Foundry and English Electric for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Direct Current (C), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in 1961. A total of 7 WCM-4 locomotives was built at England between 1956 and 1957.

Indian locomotive class WCM-4
A WCM-4 at Bombay Victoria Electric loco trip Shed
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerHitachi
BuilderHitachi
Order number59/459/1/RS(F)
ModelEM4
Build date18 April 1959
Total produced7
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo′Co′
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Bogies3 Axle fabricated frame, Swing bolster with Equalizer beams
Wheel diameterNew:1,220 mm (4 ft 0 in),
Half worn:1,182 mm (3 ft 10 1⁄2 in) and
Full worn:1,144 mm (3 ft 9 in)
Wheelbase2,380 mm (7 ft 10 in)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers20.000 m (65 ft 7 3⁄8 in)
 • Body18.680 m (61 ft 3 7⁄16 in)
Width3.050 m (10 ft 1⁄16 in)
Height4.282 m (14 ft 9⁄16 in)
Frame type3 Axle fabricated frame
Axle load20.83 tonnes (20.50 long tons; 22.96 short tons)
Loco weight125.00 tonnes (123.03 long tons; 137.79 short tons)
Sandbox cap.16 sandboxes each
Power supply110 V DC
Electric system/s1.5 kV DC Overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph
Traction motorsHS-373-BR
 • Rating 1 hour765A
 • Continuous620A
Gear ratio16:73
MU workingNot possible
Loco brakeAir/Hand, Regenerative braking
Train brakesVacuum
Compressor7kg/cm²
Safety systemsSlip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures
Maximum speed120.5 km/h (75 mph)
Power output:
​
 • StartingMax:4,000 hp (2,980 kW)
 • 1 hourMax:4,000 hp (2,980 kW)
 • ContinuousMax:3,290 hp (2,450 kW)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting31,250 kgf (310 kN)
 • 1 hour25,300 kgf (250 kN)
 • Continuous18,700 kgf (180 kN)
Factor of adh.0.25
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
ClassEM/4
Numbers20076-20082
LocaleCentral Railways
Delivered1960
First run1961
Last runJanuary 2000
RetiredEarly 2000s
WithdrawnEarly 2000s
Preservednone
DispositionAll have been scrapped.

The WCM-4 served both passenger and freight trains for over 39 years. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV AC electrification, all were withdrawn in early 2000s after repeated failures. Today Sadly all locomotives have been Scrapped.

History

Indian Railways decided to procure 7 locomotives from Hitachi. They are manufactured in Japan and shipped to India in 1957. These locomotives had now common Co-Co wheel arrangement.[1] Initially the WCM-4 class were known as EM/4 class.[2] They were easily recognizable with their larger size and normal light enclosures for the marker lights and the tail lamps (just above the buffers). They had their cab doors placed near the cab unlike the WCM-1 class. The WCM-4 is a more powerful and larger version of the WCM-3 class. They were intended for hauling superfast train in Central Railway CR. But after sometime they were relegated to freight duties only.

They began their CR zone service in 1961.The WCM-3 locomotives were used on many Express trains but had some problems and were relegated to hauling low speed passenger trains, shunting and freight duties only. In mid 1990s Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotive from services and all units were scrapped with non preserved.

Former sheds
  • Pune
  • Kalyan (KYN)
  • All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

See also

References
  1. "Refer pg 260" (PDF).
  2. Gudgin, D.S.E. (1976). Vulcan Foundry Locomotives 1832–1956. Truro: Bradford Barton. ISBN 978-0-85153-215-8.
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