Indian locomotive class WCAM 1

WCAM-1^[1]

WCAM-1 # 21824 used for inaugural run of 12264/H Nizamuddin-Pune AC Super-fast Express

Type and origin
Power type	Electric
Designer	RDSO
Builder	Chittaranjan Locomotive Works
Build date	1973 - 9^[2]
Total produced	53

Specifications
AAR wheel arr	C-C
UIC class	Co'Co'
Gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Bogies	ALCo High-Adhesion Tri-mount cast
Wheel diameter	New: 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in) Half-worn:1,055 mm (3 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) Full-worn:1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Wheelbase	14,432 mm (47 ft 4 ¹⁄₄ in)
Length	Over Coupler faces : 20.950 m (68 ft 8 ³⁄₄ in) Over headstocks : 19.680 m (64 ft 6 ³⁄₄ in)
Width	3.055 m (10 ft ¹⁄₄ in)
Height	4.121 m (13 ft 6 ¹⁄₄ in)
Axle load	18.8 tonnes (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons)
Loco weight	112.8 tonnes (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC, 1.5 kV DC overhead
Current collection	pantograph a separate one for AC and DC
Traction motors	Alstom TAO-659A1
MU working	Not possible
Loco brake	Air/Parking
Train brakes	Vacuum/Air^[3]
Safety systems	Slip Control, Main Overload relay, Motor Overload Relay, Over Voltage relay, Earth fault relay, Low Pressure Governor and Brake Cylinder Cutoff Valve

Performance figures
Maximum speed	Starting : 100 km/h (62 mph)(DC)/120 km/h (75 mph)(AC) Continuous : 60 km/h (37 mph)(AC)/35 km/h (22 mph)(DC)
Power output	1 hour : 3,850 hp (2,871 kW)(AC) Continuous : 2,350 hp (1,752 kW)(DC) 3,640 hp (2,714 kW)(AC)
Tractive effort	Starting : 33,840 kgf (331,900 N; 74,600 lbf)(AC)/23,200 kgf (228,000 N; 51,000 lbf)(DC) Continuous : 22,800 kgf (224,000 N; 50,000 lbf)(DC)/16,000 kgf (160,000 N; 35,000 lbf)(AC)
Factor of adh	Dry : 0.3(AC)/0.25(DC)

Career
Operators	Indian Railways
Numbers	Starting from 21800 to 21852
Nicknames	"Vallabh" for No.-21800
Locale	Western Railway
First run	1975
Last run	2015
Disposition	active

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.

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

WCAM 1 at Ahmedabad
WCAM 1 at Ahmedabad
WCAM 1 passing through Kandivli
WCAM 1 hauling Mumbai -Ahmedabad Passenger

References

Notes

Bibliography

Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian locomotive class WCAM1.

Details of WCAM-1 #21800 at IRFCA
WCAM-1 specifications

Broad gauge locomotives of India

Steam

BESA designs	SP SG PT HP AP HG HT

IRS designs	XA XB XC XD XE XF XG XH XP XT XS

World War II designs	AWD CWD AWC

IGR standard designs	WP WG WL (1st) WL (2nd) WM WT WU WV WW

Diesel

Mixed type	WDM-1 WDM 2 WDM 2A, WDM 2B WDM 3 WDM 3A WDM 3A R WDM 3C, WDM 3D WDM 4 WDM 6 WDM 7

Passenger	WDP 1 WDP 2/3A WDP 3 WDP 4 WDP 4B WDP 4D

Goods	WDG 2/3A WDG 3B, WDG 3C, WDG 3D WDG 4 WDG 5

Shunting	WDS 1 WDS 2 WDS 3/4C WDS 4, WDS 4A, WDS 4B, WDS 4D WDS 4C WDS 5 WDS 6 WDS 8

DC electric

Mixed type	WCM 1 WCM 2 WCM 3 WCM 4 WCM 5 WCM 6

Passenger	WCP 1, WCP 2 WCP 3, WCP 4

Goods	WCG 1 WCG 2

AC electric

Mixed type	WAM 1 WAM 2 WAM 3 WAM 4

Passenger	WAP 1 WAP 2 WAP 3 WAP 4 WAP 5 WAP 6 WAP 7

Goods	WAG 1 WAG 2 WAG 3 WAG 4 WAG 5 WAG 5A, WAG 5B WAG 6A WAG 6B, WAG 6c WAG 7 WAG 9

Dual (AC and DC) electric

Mixed type	WCAM 1 WCAM 2/2P WCAM 3

Goods	WCAG 1

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