Indian locomotive class WCM-5 explained

Indian locomotive class WCM-5
Powertype:Electric
Designer:CLW
Builder:CLW
Builddate:1961-1963
Totalproduction:21
Aarwheels:C-C
Uicclass:Co′Co′
Britishclass:Co-Co
Bogies:3-axle fabricated frame, swing bolster with equalizer beams
Wheeldiameter:New: 12200NaN0,
Half worn: 1182abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Full worn: 11440NaN0
Wheelbase:23370NaN0
Over Couplers:20.168abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Body:18.898abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Width:3.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Height:4.293abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Frametype:3 Axle fabricated frame
Sandcap:16 sandboxes each
Powersupply:110 V DC
Electricsystem:1.5 kV DC Overhead
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Tractionmotors:HS-373-BR
T/M Amps 1 Hr:765A
T/M Amps Cont:620A
Gear Ratio:16:59
Locobrakes:Air/Hand, Regenerative braking
Trainbrakes:Vacuum
Compressorcap:7kg/cm²
Safety:Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Maxspeed:1200NaN0
Poweroutput Start:Max: 3700-1NaN-1
Poweroutput 1 Hr:Max: 3700-1NaN-1
Poweroutput Cont:Max: 3170-1NaN-1
T/E Starting:31000-1NaN-1
T/E 1 Hr:21772-1NaN-1
T/E Continuous:17690-1NaN-1
Factorofadhesion:0.25
Operator:Indian Railways
Fleetnumbers:20083-20103
Officialname:Lokmanya (for first locomotive)
Locale:Central Railways
Deliverydate:1960
Firstrundate:1961
Lastrundate:January 2000
Retiredate:Early 2000s
Preservedunits:1
Disposition:One preserved, remainder scrapped

The Indian locomotive class WCM-5 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in 1961 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Direct Current (C), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 5th generation (5). The WCM-5 was the first locomotive of any type to be fully developed and built in India, entering service in 1961. A total of 21 WCM-5 locomotives were built at CLW between 1961 and 1963.

The WCM-5 served both passenger and freight trains for nearly 40 years. In 1998, the last WCM-5 locomotive ran with the Indrayani Express. With the introduction of more modern locomotives and 25 KV AC electrification, all were withdrawn in the early 2000s after repeated failures. After withdrawal, one locomotive was put on display at the Kolkata Rail Museum, while the rest of the locomotives have been scrapped.

History

The history of WCM-5 began in the early 1960s with the stated aim of the Indian Railways (IR) to remove the ageing fleet of WCG-1 and WCP-1 class locomotives working on Central Railways (CR).[1] So IR to procure 21 1500 V DC electric locomotives from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), who also previously supplied steam locomotives to India during 1954–1955. They were the last "nosed" locomotives of any type to be manufactured.[2]

The WCM-5 locomotives were used on many express trains such as the Deccan Queen, and the Indrayani Express, as well as freight trains. The Deccan Queen had WCM-5 with a matching livery until the 1990s. In the mid-1990s, the ageing WCM-5 began to fail regularly, disrupting train services. So Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotives from service and by 2000, all units were withdrawn.

Former sheds

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gudgin, D.S.E.. Vulcan Foundry Locomotives 1832–1956. Bradford Barton. Truro. 1976. 978-0-85153-215-8.
  2. Web site: Refer pg 282 .
  3. Web site: Rail Museum . 2020-05-26 . www.museumsofindia.org . en.