Indian locomotive class WCAM 1
WCAM-1 # 21824 used for inaugural run of 12264/H Nizamuddin-Pune AC Super-fast Express
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WCAM-1 is a class of locomotives used in the Indian Railways system. They are the first of the WCAM series. These locos can be seen in Mumbai-Vadodara-Ahmedabad section but occasionally they travel up to Pune but not beyond these because the maintenance facilities are not available beyond this point. An occasional loco has also appeared on Mumbai C.S.T.-Igatpuri route. This locos works on both AC as well as DC as their classification suggests.
These locos hauls the trains from DC section of suburban trains to AC section and performs very critical task as they can easily operate on both AC and DC. However they perform poorly in DC mode compared to AC mode but they are very robust and have easy operating and handling characteristics. These loco are now very less in use as Western Railways DC section has been converted in AC. They are used for the second tier general/express/super-fast trains of Western Railway.[4] These are 1st class of Wide Gauge's(W) Bi-current charged(CA - runs both under AC and DC) and Mixed load series(M - hauls both passenger and freight trains). These were the first electric locomotives to enter Western Railway's Mumbai division. Prior to that steam and diesel locomotives used to haul trains in Western Railway's Mumbai division. These brought end to the steam era in this division. They were also the first locomotives allotted to Valsad (BL) shed. They are now the most low-horse powered surviving electric locomotives under AC in the country along with WAM-4. Their top speed under DC is also the lowest compared to other Bi-current charged locomotives. They were the first Bi-current charged locomotives in the country. Initially all were vacuum braked but were retrofitted with air brakes to make them dual braked. Some also had there vacuum brakes replaced with air brakes. Due to the reduction of DC territory in Mumbai, some locomotives had their DC equipment removed at the shed. Now these locomotives only run under AC territory. They are soon to be decommissioned.
Introduced in 1975. One of the single pantographs on the WCAM-1 is used in dc traction; the other one carries ac current. The two pantographs are not identical, though similar in design. Originally built with vacuum brakes only, although a few (Nos. 21805, 21807, 21812, 21828, 21838, 21844, 21845, and 21850) have both vacuum and air brakes. They also lack dynamic brakes.
The WCAM-1 does not use a variable ratio auto-transformer in AC mode like the others; it uses a fixed-ratio transformer and rectifier bank to convert the OHE supply to 1500VDC. The design of the transformers and notches makes this a hard machine to operate, with the fusible links tending to blow often. Of the 28 notches, notches 4, 14, 21, and 28 can be used for continuous operation, although notch 4 was intended for low-speed shunting and is very ineffective. Notches 14, 21, and 28 are the terminal notches of the series, series-parallel, and parallel circuit notch sequences. In DC mode, the WCAM-1 uses resistor banks for speed control.
However they were very robust machines and relatively easy in the handling characteristics. WCAM-1's have three traction modes (series, series-parallel, parallel) in both DC and AC mode, but using the parallel mode in DC was discouraged because of power problems. In practice this was not restrictive since series-parallel notches allowed reaching 75 km/h or so. In AC mode, the locos are almost always used with the motors in all-parallel mode. Unlike the WCAM-2 and WCAM-3 locos, no reconfiguration has been carried out to force the use of all-parallel mode with AC. Weak field operation is available. They were briefly tried out for freight use by CR, but all finally ended up with WR.
The top ones getting the WCAM-2P (see below). [5/02] However, recently CR's Indore-Pune weekly train has been hauled by a WR WCAM-1.
Recently [2004] it's been seen that some (3-4) WCAM-1 locos have been modified to run only in AC mode; in many cases these locos have even had their DC equipment removed. Such modifications occurred after WR's Virar - Vasai freight lines were converted to AC. It is not proposed that the locos will be re-classified; one, #21808, simply bears an annotation saying 'Only AC Working'.
Max. speed 100 km/h, 110 km/h after regearing. Traction motors are nose-suspended and axle-hung.
Contents
Technical specifications[4]
Traction Motors | Alstom/CLW TAO 659 A1 2,800 kg (6,200 lb). Axle-hung, nose-suspended and force ventilated. Temperature rise by resistance in Armature - 140 degrees Celsius (284 degrees Fahrenheit)/Field - 160 °C (320 °F). Coil resistance at 110 °C (230 °F) in Armature - 0.0151 ohms/Main pole - 0.0145 ohms/Interpole - 0.0078 ohms. Starting current - 1100 A. 1 hour rating - 798 hp (595 kW), 750 V, 870 A and 1070 RPM. Continuous rating - 585 kW (784 hp), 550 V, 840 A and 1095 RPM. Air gap in main pole - 5.5 mm (0.217 in)/Interpole - 6 mm (0.236 in). Grade of brushes - EG 367, 6 brush holders and 3 brush per holder |
Gear Ratio | 61:16, 58:21 |
Transformer | BHELmade BOT 34600. 11,500 kg (25,400 lb), Forced Oil cooling, Class 'A' insulation and 32 taps. Primary rating - 3646 kVA, 22.5 kV and 162 A. Secondary rating - 3460 kVA, 1730 V (DC) and 2x1000 A (DC). Tertiary rating - 274 kVA, 1470 V and 186 A |
Silicon Rectifiers | 48 cells (321 UFR200) per bridge. Continuous rating - 1000 A each cubicle. 1 hour rating - 1270 V. Max starting current - 1650 A. Forced air cooling. |
Pantographs | Faiveley AM-12 (AC) and Faiveley AM-18B (DC) |
Bogie Drive Arrangement | Gear pinion |
Auxiliaries | 2 Headlights (750 W and 32 V). Lead Acid battery (50 cells), Rating - 110 V and 5 hours. |
Motor-Alternator Set | SOA-749 Alternator by Kirloskar Group(180 kVA, 400 V, 270 A, 1500 RPM and 3 phase). AY100AZ Motor by AEI (2,106 hp or 1,570 kW, 1500 RPM, 1400 V and 136 A continuous). |
Number of sand boxes | 16 |
Main Starting Resistance blower | Four PETA-60 types by SF Product (11,400 m3/h or 400,000 cu ft/h). ILA2-116.2 type Motor by Siemens(9.3 kW or 12 hp, 400 V, 18 A and 2925 RPM). |
Auxiliary Rectifier | Rating with 2 bridges in parallel - 180 A(Continuous) and 1000 A(5 seconds)/1 bridge - 90 A(Continuous), 140 A(30 minutes) and 900 A(2 seconds). Natural Air cooling. Twenty four 324-UFR200 type cells connected by bridges. |
2EC388 type Compressor by Kirloskar | Rating - 792 L/min (174 imp gal/min; 209 US gal/min) at 7 kg/cm2 (100 psi). Motor - 7.5 kW or 10 hp, 38 V, 15 A and 1390 RPM. |
2 Exhausters by Gresham and Craven | Northey-250RE type. Two 385 V motors. |
2 Traction Motor Blowers by SF Product | MLBRX-42.5-1-H4 type (16,200 m3/h or 570,000 cu ft/h). 2 Motors by Siemens(22 kW (30 hp), 385 V, 41 A and 3000 RPM). |
PFTA-50 Arr 6 type Smoothing Reaction Blower by SF Product | Capacity - 4,200 m3/h (150,000 cu ft/h). Motor - 2.2 hp (2 kW), 380 V and 2860 RPM |
MLBR-60-1-H2 type Oil Cooler Blower by SF Product | Capacity - 22,200 m3/h (29,000 cuyd/h). Motor - 22 kW (30 hp), 380 V, 43 A and 1470 RPM |
2 Silicon Rectifier Blowers by SF Product | PHMX-40-6 type (3,400 m3/h or 120,000 cu ft/h). 2 Motors - 2 kW (3 hp), 380 V, 4.4 A and 2860 RPM. |
Oil Pump by Best and Company Private Limited | Capacity - 750 L/min (160 imp gal/min; 200 US gal/min) Motor - 3.3 kW (4 hp), 380 V, 66 A and 2865 RPM |
SL-42 type Smoothing Reactor | Rating - 1250 V and 950 A. 0.00718 ohms resistance at 110 °C (230 °F). |
Notches | Total 30 |
Design[5]
Of all the 30 notches, 1-21 are DC notches allowing series operation of traction motors. Rest of the 8 notches allow series-parallel combination under DC. Under AC, the combinations are 3S-2P and 2S-3P. These locomotives could run in parallel combination but it was discouraged due to power problems under DC. Under AC, the locomotives are run under parallel notches nearly always. Although these engines are not rebuilt to use only parallel combination under AC. Field weakening of traction motors is possible at 21st and 30th notches. Voltage control is by Tap changer operation under AC and Resistance notching under DC. Traction motors are charged by DC. Its prototypes were tested in the year 1971.[6]
Sheds Holding WCAM-1
- Valsad (BL) - All 53 ever built were being held by Valsad Loco Shed in Gujarat. After Western Railway converted the remaining 1.5 KV DC section to 25 KV AC, some were condemned. Valsad. All the locos of this class have been withdrawn.
Trains Hauled by WCAM-1
- Valsad - Bandra Terminus Passenger
- Valsad - Viramgam Passenger
- Bharuch - Virar Passenger
- Valsad Fast Passenger
- Bandra Terminus Vapi Passenger
- Ahmedabad Passenger
- Surat - Virar Shuttle
- Ahmedabad - Valsad Passenger
Performance[7]
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under AC for 4 wheeler wagons (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 5950 | 4530 | 3380 |
1 in 500 | 6000+ | 6000+ | 5850 | 4880 | 3640 | 3325 | 2675 | 2100 |
1 in 200 | 2900 | 2900 | 2900 | 2735 | 2100 | 1970 | 1630 | 1310 |
1 in 150 | 2250 | 2250 | 2250 | 2185 | 1690 | 1595 | 1330 | 1080 |
1 in 100 | 1535 | 1535 | 1535 | 1535 | 1195 | 1145 | 960 | 780 |
1 in 50 | 965 | 925 | 915 | 795 | 610 | - | - | - |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with a gear ratio of 16:61 under AC for BOX wagons (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 5675 |
1 in 500 | 4300 | 4300 | 4300 | 4300 | 4300 | 4160 | 3460 | 2820 |
1 in 200 | 2975 | 2975 | 2975 | 2975 | 2340 | 2245 | 1900 | 1570 |
1 in 150 | 2530 | 2530 | 2530 | 2360 | 1845 | 1775 | 1505 | 1250 |
1 in 100 | 1945 | 1910 | 1880 | 1635 | 1275 | 1235 | 1050 | 870 |
1 in 50 | 1120 | 950 | 940 | 815 | 630 | 615 | - | - |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under AC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1340 |
1 in 500 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1200 | 885 |
1 in 200 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1445 | 1175 | 995 | 760 | 565 |
1 in 150 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1400 | 1175 | 960 | 815 | 625 | 465 |
1 in 100 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1295 | 1175 | 995 | 840 | 690 | 590 | 450 | 330 |
1 in 50 | 1165 | 970 | 955 | 840 | 655 | 595 | 505 | 435 | 345 | 290 | 215 | 145 |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with a gear ratio of 16:61 under AC for BOXN wagons (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ |
1 in 500 | 5015 | 5015 | 5015 | 5015 | 4900 | 4340 | 3600 | 2980 |
1 in 200 | 3305 | 3305 | 3305 | 3225 | 2530 | 2295 | 1945 | 1645 |
1 in 150 | 2770 | 2770 | 2770 | 2515 | 1980 | 1805 | 1535 | 1300 |
1 in 100 | 2085 | 1990 | 1960 | 1730 | 1365 | 1250 | 1070 | 905 |
1 in 50 | 1165 | 980 | 975 | 860 | 670 | 615 | 525 | 440 |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under DC for 4 wheeler wagons (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 4300 | 2800 | 1815 |
1 in 500 | 4710 | 4710 | 4710 | 4710 | 3640 | 2390 | 1635 | 1110 |
1 in 200 | 2470 | 2470 | 2470 | 2470 | 2100 | 1400 | 980 | 675 |
1 in 150 | 1900 | 1900 | 1900 | 1900 | 1690 | 1125 | 790 | 545 |
1 in 100 | 1390 | 1390 | 1390 | 1390 | 1195 | 800 | 555 | - |
1 in 50 | 875 | 875 | 875 | 875 | 610 | - | - | - |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive fitted with TAO659A1 with a gear ratio of 16:61 under DC for BOX wagons (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 5100 | 5100 | 5100 | 5100 | 5100 | 5100 | 4500 | 3045 |
1 in 500 | 3950 | 3950 | 3950 | 3950 | 3950 | 2980 | 2115 | 1490 |
1 in 200 | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 2340 | 1590 | 1140 | 805 |
1 in 150 | 2310 | 2310 | 2310 | 2310 | 1845 | 1255 | 895 | 630 |
1 in 100 | 1770 | 1770 | 1770 | 1635 | 1275 | 865 | 610 | - |
1 in 50 | 1020 | 950 | 940 | 815 | 630 | - | - | - |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 16:61 under DC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1380 | 1040 |
1 in 500 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1135 | 810 | 630 |
1 in 200 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1450 | 965 | 660 | 475 | 370 |
1 in 150 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1040 | 770 | 525 | 375 | 290 |
1 in 100 | 1500+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 1215 | 785 | 535 | 360 | 250 | 190 |
1 in 50 | 1050 | 960 | 930 | 805 | 610 | 380 | 245 | 150 | 95 | 60 |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive fitted with TAO659 with a gear ratio of 16:61 under DC for BOX wagons (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 6000+ | 4540 | 2970 |
1 in 500 | 4545 | 4545 | 4545 | 4545 | 4545 | 2980 | 2050 | 1410 |
1 in 200 | 2995 | 2995 | 2995 | 2995 | 2375 | 1560 | 1085 | 750 |
1 in 150 | 2505 | 2505 | 2505 | 2415 | 1855 | 1220 | 845 | 585 |
1 in 100 | 1885 | 1885 | 1885 | 1660 | 1275 | 835 | 575 | 390 |
1 in 50 | 1080 | 970 | 945 | 820 | 625 | 395 | 255 | 160 |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with a gear ratio of 21:58 under AC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ |
1 in 500 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1300 | 1070 |
1 in 200 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1435 | 1360 | 1295 | 1175 | 985 | 830 | 695 |
1 in 150 | 1500+ | 1330 | 1290 | 1245 | 1195 | 1145 | 1095 | 1050 | 960 | 805 | 680 | 575 |
1 in 100 | 1470 | 905 | 880 | 855 | 830 | 800 | 775 | 745 | 690 | 580 | 490 | 410 |
1 in 50 | 810 | 420 | 415 | 405 | 400 | 390 | 380 | 370 | 345 | 285 | 240 | 195 |
Following is the capacity of WCAM-1 locomotive with gear ratio 21:58 under DC for ICF coaches (in tonnes) :-
Grade\km/h | Start | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1290 |
1 in 500 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1135 | 1155 | 790 |
1 in 200 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1335 | 990 | 690 | 475 |
1 in 150 | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | 1500+ | +1500 | 1325 | 1075 | 800 | 555 | 190 |
1 in 100 | 1285 | 1350 | 1315 | 1285 | 1180 | 930 | 760 | 560 | 390 | 260 |
1 in 50 | 700 | 660 | 650 | 640 | 590 | 460 | 370 | 265 | 170 | 100 |
Image Gallery
See also
References
Notes
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 WCAM-1 at Indian Railways Fan Club
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Bibliography
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
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