Indian locomotive class WAP-1 explained

WAP-1
Powertype:Electric
Builder:Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, West Bengal, India
Poweroutput Cont:38000NaN0
Maxspeed:1300NaN0
T/E Starting:22400kgf
Builddate:1980–1996
Uicclass:Co′Co′
Bogies:Flexicoil (cast steel bogies); primary and secondary wheel springs with bolsters
Wheeldiameter:New: 10920NaN0
Half worn: 1055abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Full worn: 10160NaN0
Length:18.794abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Height:4.272abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Width:3.179abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Axleload:18800kg (41,400lb)
Locoweight:112000kg (247,000lb)
Tractionmotors:Alstom/CLW TAO 659
Locobrakes:Air
Trainbrakes:Air,Dual
Safety:Slip control, over-voltage relay, main overload relay, earth-fault relay, low-pressure governor, brake cylinder cutoff valve, train parting alarms and No OHE volt relay
Operator:Indian Railways
Fleetnumbers:22000–22076, many being converted to WAP-4
Totalproduction:WAP-1: 65
Aarwheels:C-C
Electricsystem: Overhead
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Locale:All over India
Preservedunits:One (22004)
Disposition:Active

The Indian locomotive class WAP-1 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in 1980 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Passenger traffic (P) locomotive, 1st generation (1). They entered service in late 1981. A total of 65 WAP-1 were built at CLW between 1980 and 1996, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric passenger locomotive until its successor, the WAP-4.

The WAP-1 is India's first dedicated electric passenger locomotive of Indian Railways, and has provided the basic design for a number of other locomotives like WAP-3 and WAP-4 models. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like WAP-5 and WAP-7, the WAP-1 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller express and passenger trains and now the aging fleet the WAP-1 locomotives are being slowly withdrawn from mainline duties and scrapped.

As of March 2024, 55 locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WAP-1, with further examples having been converted to WAP-4.

Development

Background

In the early 1980s, Indian Railways began considering developing a passenger version of its WAM-4 class.[1] Designed for both passenger and goods trains the WAM-4 was one of the most successful locomotives of the 1970s and a mainstay of the Indian Railways.

Five prototype locomotives of this type were ordered from CLW to the design of RDSO. The first prototype locomotive was put into service in 1981.[2] They were first used on the Howrah Rajdhani Express.[3]

The locomotive is powered by six axle-hungs, nose-suspended forced ventilated type DC traction motors. Speed control is achieved by grouping in 2S-3P combination and by field weakening of the motor. It utilises a silicon rectifier for conversion of AC power into DC.[4]

They are being converted to make them suitable for multiple operations. Compressed air brakes for the locomotives and vacuum brakes for the train are provided. The brake system is being modified to make them suitable for dual brakes.

The WAP-1 provided the basis for the WAP-4.

Variants

See main article: Indian locomotive class WAP-3. The WAP-3 was the upgraded variant of the WAP-1 with a higher top speed of 140 km/h. All units of this class were WAP-1 units already in service. The first locomotive converted was a WAP-1 22005 Jawahar. Subsequently 8 more WAP-1 were converted, but since the class were not a great success and had performance issues, these were converted back to WAP-1 in 1997.[5]

Presevation

One WAP-1 locomotive, 22004, has been preserved at Arakkonam shed.[5]

Locomotive sheds

Zone Name Shed code Quantity
AMVD 15
North Eastern RailwayIZND 15
EDDX 25
Total locomotives active as of May 2024[6] 55

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Railmanak Lucknow . 9 October 1989 . rdso.indianrailways.gov.in .
  2. Web site: 2019-06-19. [IRFCA] A Brief History of Railway Electrification in India]. www.irfca.org.
  3. Web site: Railmanak Lucknow . 9 October 1989 . rdso.indianrailways.gov.in . 1.
  4. Web site: Electric Locomotive Roster: The WAP Series!. September 3, 2016.
  5. Web site: Dedicated Passenger Locomotives . www.irfca.org . 10 August 2024 .
  6. Web site: e-Locos.