Indian locomotive class WCM-6 explained

Indian locomotive class WCM-6
Powertype:Electric
Builder:CLW
Builddate:1995
Totalproduction:2
Rebuilder:Bhusuval workshop
Rebuilddate:2008-8-28
Numberrebuilt:2
Aarwheels:C-C
Uicclass:Co′Co′
Britishclass:Co-Co
Bogies:High Adhesion Bogies
Wheeldiameter:New: 10920NaN0,
Half worn: 1055abbr=onNaNabbr=on and
Full worn: 10160NaN0
Wheelbase:19000NaN0
Over Couplers:20.394abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Body:19abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Width:3.179abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Height:4.255abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Frametype:High Adhesion fabricated frame
Sandcap:16 sandboxes each
Powersupply:110 V DC
Electricsystem:1.5 kV DC Overhead
After conversion: 25 kV AC Overhead
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Tractionmotors:6 HS-15250A
T/M Amps 1 Hr:960A
T/M Amps Cont:960A
Gear Ratio:18:64
Multipleworking:2 or 3
Locobrakes:Air/Hand,
Trainbrakes:Vacuum and Air
Compressorcap:1000 litre/min
Safety:Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Coupling:CBC
Maxspeed:1050NaN0 (later reduced to 650NaN0)
Poweroutput:Max: 4600-1NaN-1
T/E Starting:39600-1NaN-1
T/E 1 Hr:36000-1NaN-1
T/E Continuous:27000-1NaN-1
Factorofadhesion:0.27
Operator:Indian Railways
Fleetnumbers:20187 and 20188
Officialname:Vikram (for first locomotive)
Locale:Central Railways
Deliverydate:1996
Firstrundate:1996
Lastrundate:2008 (as DC locomotives)
Currentowner:Indian Railways
Disposition:Both in service as AC locomotives, as of 2023

The Indian locomotive class WCM-6 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in 1995 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Direct Current (C), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 6th generation (6). They entered service in 1996. A total of 2 WCM-6 locomotives was built at CLW in 1995. Currently they are used on departmental trains and shunting duties.

History

The history of WCM-6 begins in the early 1990s with the stated aim of the Indian Railways (IR) to remove the aging fleet of WCM class locomotives working in the Central Railway zone (CR).[1] So IR to procure 2 1,500 V DC electric locomotives from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), who also previously supplied the WCM-5 class. They had high adhesion bogies used in the WAG-7 class AC locomotive.

The two WCM-6s were manufactured in India in 1995. Not counting the dual-voltage WCAM/WCAG series, they were one of only two classes of DC locomotives to have a "boxcab" body style, the other being the WCG-2 class of 1970.[2]

On 28 August 2008, both WCM-6s were converted to work on 25 kV AC by the Electric Locomotives Works of Bhusuwal. Both locomotives are based at Kalyan depot, and are in service as of 2023.

Locomotive shed

Zone Name Shed Code Quantity
KYN 2
Total Locomotives Active as of 01-01-2023[3] 2

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: e-Locos.