Indian Railways WCAM class

WCAM 3 at Kurla

WCAM (W -broad gauge ; CA -Both DC and AC ; M -for both goods and passenger service) is the dual-power AC/DC series locomotive used by Indian Railways. These locomotives can run under both DC traction and AC traction. All the WCAM locos except the WCAM 1 (made by CLW) were made by BHEL. They have 750 V DC traction motors, using resistance banks in DC mode and a variable ratio auto-transformer with rectifier units in AC mode, for power control.

WCAM 3 with 12294 Allahabad Duronto Express at Niphad

The WCAM class locomotives were in service only in the Mumbai region. The dual-voltage WCAM series locomotives hauled intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region which was on a 1500 V DC overhead system, as opposed to other parts of India which have 25000 V AC overhead.

Western Railways having switched over to complete AC traction on 5 February 2012 has transferred almost all its WCAM locomotives to Central Railways although it still has some WCAM 1 locomotives which haul passenger trains up to Ahmedabad Junction.

On the Central Railway line they are in service on Mumbai CST - Igatpuri or Mumbai CST - Pune line. Sometimes they travel up to Itarsi Junction.

With Central Railways progressively moving towards a complete changeover from DC to AC traction, trains leaving Lokmanya Tilak Terminus have started using pure AC engines.

Loco sheds holding WCAM engines

As of 2014, the only shed holding WCAM engines is Kalyan. Prior Western Railways changeover to AC traction, its locomotives were managed by the Valsad shed.

Types

There are four types of Locomotives under WCAM class:

Mixed type locomotives
Goods locomotives

Specifications

Comparative Specifications of different type of WCAM

Class WCAM–1 WCAM–2/2P WCAM 3 WCAG–1
Year 1975-791995-961997+1999–2000
Maker CLWBHEL BHEL BHEL
Traction Motors Alstom/CLW TAO 659 A1 (575 kW, 750 V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended TAO 659 (575 kW, 750 V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated Hitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilatedHitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
Transformer HEL BOT 34600. 3460kVABHEL 5400 kVA BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps
Power(hp) 3850 AC (1 hr)2930 DC / 3640 AC cont.)3780? DC / 4720 AC cont.4950 starting 4600 (4700?) DC / 5000 AC 4600 DC / 5000 AC cont.
Rectifiers Silicon rectifiers, 48 cells (321 UFR200) per bridge, 1000 A /1270 V Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A. Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A.
Speed(kmph) 80-100 DC / 120 AC105 DC / 120 AC 105 100
Weight(tonnes) 113113113128
Quantity 5320 53 12+
Serial nos 21800-85221861-880 21881-900 /21931-963 21971+

See also

References

Notes

    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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