Wikipedia

Indian locomotive class WAG-6A

The Indian locomotive class WAG-6A is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in the 1988 by Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Goods (G) engine, 6th generation (6) First variant (A). They entered service in 1988. A total of 6 WAG-6A were built at ASEA, Sweden between 1987 and 1988. they were the most powerful locomotives in India until the arrival of the WAG-9 class.

Indian locomotive class WAG–6A
The WAG-6A was intended to be the next HHP locomotive of India
Twin WAG-6A locomotives with a BCNA freight train
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerASEA, Brown, Boveri & Cie
BuilderASEA, Brown, Boveri & Cie
Order number85/RSF/459/2/(LT-33)
Build date1988-1989
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo'Bo'Bo'
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo-Bo
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Bogies2 axle double stage field excitation
Wheel diameterNew: 1,029 mm (3 ft 5 in)
Half-worn: 1,052 mm (3 ft 5+1⁄2 in)
Full-worn:1,012 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Wheelbase2,700 mm (8 ft 10 in)
Length:
​
 • Over beams20,600 mm (67 ft 7 in)
 • Over body19,300 mm (63 ft 4 in)
Width3,184 mm (10 ft 5+1⁄4 in)
Height4,170 mm (13 ft 8 in)
Frame type2 axle double stage field excitation
Axle load20.5 tonnes (20.2 long tons; 22.6 short tons) ±2%
Loco weight123 tonnes (121 long tons; 136 short tons) ±1%
Power supply110 V DC
Electric system/s25 kV AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph
Traction motorsASEA L3 M 450-2
MU working2 units
Loco brakeAir, Dynamic braking
Train brakesAir
Safety systemsSlip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Earth fault relay, Low pressure governor, Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures
Maximum speed120.7 km/h (75 mph) upgradable to 160 km/h (99 mph)
Power output:
​
 • StartingMax:6,200 hp (4,620 kW)
 • 1 hourMax:6,110 hp (4,560 kW)
 • ContinuousMax:6,000 hp (4,470 kW)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting32,000 kgf (310 kN)
 • 1 hour32,000 kgf (310 kN)
 • Continuous28,200 kgf (280 kN)
Factor of adh.0.25
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers26000-26005
LocaleKothavalasa–Kirandul line
DeliveredDecember 1987 ( First unit) January 1988 (remaining 5)
First run1988
Last run7 June 2015
Retired7 August 2015
Withdrawn7 August 2015
Preserved1 earmarked
ScrappedFrom 2007 to 2015
Current ownerIndian Railways
DispositionAll except 2 locomotive scrapped

These locomotives are now withdrawn from service with 1 unit earmarked for preservation.

History edit

The history of WAG-6A begins in early 1980s with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of the previous WAG-1, WAG-2, WAG-3, WAG-4 and WAG-5 classes and remove steam locomotives from IR by a target date of 1990.[1] The WAG-5 were a great successes but these locomotives were based on 1960s technology and fast became underpowered for the expanding Indian railways. So Indian Railways decided to look for a new locomotive.[2] At that time (1980s) Thyristor controller was vastly used by locomotive in many European rail networks while 3 Phase AC technology was still in its infancy. So the ministry of railways floated a tender for a 6000HP locomotive with Thyristor control. The following responses were received:

  • ASEA submitted their model with 6000 hp with Bo-Bo-Bo bogies and Thyristor chopper control.
  • Hitachi submitted their model with 6000 hp with Bo-Bo-Bo bogies and Thyristor chopper control
  • Hitachi also submitted their model with 6000 hp with Co-Co- bogies and Thyristor chopper control

Each company submitted their prototypes and Indian Railways designated these prototypes as the WAG-6A class WAG-6B class and WAG-6C class respectively.[3] IR ordered 6 of each class and these were delivered in 1988.[4]

Specification edit

  • Manufacturer: ASEA ( WAG 6A )
  • Build dates: 1988–89
  • Wheel arrangement: Bo-Bo-Bo
  • Traction Motors: ASEA make (WAG-6A), L3 M 450–2. Six motors, fully suspended, force-ventilated, separately excited, 3100 kg.
  • Transformer: (WAG-6A) ASEA: TMZ 21, 7533 kVA.
  • Thyristor controller: (WAG-6A) 24 YST 45-26P24C thyristors each with 24 YSD35-OIP26 diodes, 2 x 511 V, 2 x 4500 A.
  • Pantographs: (WAG-6A) Two Stemman BS 95.

Locomotive shed edit

Zone Name Shed Code Quantity
East Coast Railway Visakhapatnam VSKP 9
Total Locomotives Active as of 01-07-2020[5] 9

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Report of the expert Committee on Coal Consumption on Railways, 1958". INDIAN CULTURE. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  2. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives - General Information - I". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  3. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives - General Information - I". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  4. ^ Specifications
  5. ^ "e-Locos".

External links edit

 
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