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Indian locomotive class WCM-5

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Indian locomotive class WCM-5
WCM-5 is the first fully made in India locomotive
A WCM-5 hauling the Deccan Queen
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerCLW
BuilderCLW
Build date1961-1963
Total produced21
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo′Co′
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Bogies3-axle fabricated frame, swing bolster with equalizer beams
Wheel diameterNew: 1,220 mm (4 ft 0 in),
Half worn: 1,182 mm (3 ft 10+12 in)
Full worn: 1,144 mm (3 ft 9 in)
Wheelbase2,337 mm (7 ft 8 in)
Length:
 • Over couplers20.168 m (66 ft 2 in)
 • Over body18.898 m (62 ft 0 in)
Width3.200 m (10 ft 6 in)
Height4.293 m (14 ft 1 in)
Frame type3 Axle fabricated frame
Axle load20.30 tonnes (19.98 long tons; 22.38 short tons)
Loco weight124.00 tonnes (122.04 long tons; 136.69 short tons)
Sandbox cap.16 sandboxes each
Power supply110 V DC
Electric system/s1.5 kV DC Overhead
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motorsHS-373-BR ​
 • Rating 1 hour765A
 • Continuous620A
Gear ratio16:59
Loco brakeAir/Hand, Regenerative braking
Train brakesVacuum
Compressor7kg/cm²
Safety systemsSlip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Power output:
 • StartingMax: 3,700 hp (2,760 kW)
 • 1 hourMax: 3,700 hp (2,760 kW)
 • ContinuousMax: 3,170 hp (2,360 kW)
Tractive effort:
 • Starting31,000 kgf (300 kN)
 • 1 hour21,772 kgf (210 kN)
 • Continuous17,690 kgf (170 kN)
Factor of adh.0.25
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers20083-20103
Official nameLokmanya (for first locomotive)
LocaleCentral Railways
Delivered1960
First run1961
Last runJanuary 2000
RetiredEarly 2000s
Preserved1
DispositionOne 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

History

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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.[citation needed]

Preserved examples

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Class Manufacturer Loco Number Previous shed Name Livery Location ref
WCM-5 Chittaranjan Locomotive Works 20103 Kalyan (KYN) Cream/Lightblue with red lining Preserved at Howrah Rail Museum [3]

Former sheds

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gudgin, D.S.E. (1976). Vulcan Foundry Locomotives 1832–1956. Truro: Bradford Barton. ISBN 978-0-85153-215-8.
  2. ^ "Refer pg 282" (PDF).
  3. ^ "Rail Museum". www.museumsofindia.org. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
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