Indian locomotive class WAG-2 explained

Indian locomotive class WAG-2
Powertype:Electric
Builder:Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Hitachi
Poweroutput:Maximum: 35000NaN0
Continuous: 34500NaN0
Maxspeed:800NaN0
Tractiveeffort:Starting: 25240kgf
Builddate:1964–1965
Uicclass:Bo-Bo
Bogies:Monomotor B-B bogies
Wheeldiameter:New:11400NaN0
Half worn: 1120abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Full worn: 10640NaN0
Length:14.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Height:4.165abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Width:3.152abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Axleload:19000kg (42,000lb)
Locoweight:76000kg (168,000lb)
Tractionmotors:Mitsubishi MB 3045-A (745hp, 725V, 815A, 1000 rpm, weight 2200 kg).
Locobrakes:Air
Trainbrakes:Vacuum
Operator:Indian Railways
Fleetnumbers:20804-848
Totalproduction:45
Aarwheels:B-B
Electricsystem: overhead
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Locale:Eastern Railways, later relocated to Central Railways
Retiredate:2001
Disposition:All scrapped

The Indian locomotive class WAG-2 was a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was imported from Japan in the 1960s for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Goods traffic (G) locomotive, 2nd generation (2). A total of 45 WAG-2 locomotives were built by The Japanese Group (a consortium of Mitsubishi, Hitachi and Toshiba) between 1964 and 1965. They entered service in 1964.

The WAG-2 served both passenger and freight trains for nearly 40 years. As of January 2001, all locomotives have been withdrawn from service and scrapped.

History

These locomotives were built by a consortium of Mitsubishi, Hitachi and Toshiba (The Japanese Group, as attested by a plaque fixed on their sides) as an alternative to the European-built WAG-1.[1] They were delivered in 1964 and had a greater horsepower rating than the WAM-1 but had similar Bo-Bo wheel arrangement (4 wheels per bogie) with four Hitachi DC traction motors connected to the wheels permanently in parallel through a WN geared drive.[2] The WAG-2 had Ignitron rectifiers just like the WAG-1, but some were later refitted with Excitron rectifiers. Some even had the Mitsubishi logo painted on their sides.

None of the WAG-2s had been retrofitted with air train brakes. Like the WAG-1, they were also used around the ER-SER-NER-NR circuit as it was the first AC electrified area, and hauled ordinary passenger trains and freights only. They were also used double-headed on freight trains. They had four traction motors permanently coupled in parallel are fed by ignitron rectifiers. Speed control was by a tap changer on the input transformer. Mitsubishi transformer, 20 taps. Oerlikon exhauster and compressor, Arno rotary converter. They were based at Asansol Loco Shed of Eastern Railways and then transferred to Bhusawal and Itarsi sheds of Central Railways in 1985. Due to aging, the WAG-2 locomotives were withdrawn in 2001. None have been preserved.

Specifications

Locomotive shed

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chapter I – General 30100 Evolution of Electrical Rolling Stock– 1 Electrical Concept 1.
  2. Web site: WAG2.