Indian locomotive class WAP-6

The Indian locomotive class WAP-6 was a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in the mid-1990s by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Passenger traffic (P) locomotive, 6th generation (6). They entered service in April 1996. A total of 17 WAP-6 units were built at CLW between 1995 and 1998.

WAP-6[1]
A Former WAP-6 hauling Kaziranga Express
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderCLW
Build date1995–1998
Total produced17
Rebuild dateAugust, 2012
Number rebuilt22401-22416
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICCo'-Co'
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Bogiesoriginally Flexicoil Mark IV Fabricated;converted to Co'-Co' Flexicoil Mark 1 cast bogies; primary and secondary wheel springs with bolsters
Wheel diameterNew: 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Half worn: 1,055 mm (3 ft 5+12 in)
Full worn: 1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Length18.79 m (61 ft 7+34 in)
Height4.235 m (13 ft 10+34 in)
Axle load18,800 kg (41,400 lb)
Loco weight113,200 kg (249,600 lb)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC, AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph
Traction motorsHitachi HS15250
Loco brakeAir/Hand
Train brakesAir
Safety systemsSlip control, Over voltage relay and No volt relay
Performance figures
Maximum speedIntended at 140 km/h (87 mph); Restricted:105 km/h (65 mph)
Power outputMax: 5,350 hp (3,990 kW)
Continuous: 5,000 hp (3,700 kW)
Tractive effortStarting:30.8 t (30 long tons; 34 short tons)
Continuous:19 t (19 long tons; 21 short tons)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers22400-22416
LocaleEastern Railway
WithdrawnAugust, 2012/In service as WAP-4
DispositionOne scrapped remainder rebuilt

The WAP-6 were intended to be the faster variant of the successful WAP-4, but failed trials and were restricted to a top speed of 105 km/h. Now all units have been converted to WAP-4 specifications. All were homed at Asansol (ASN) shed but after conversion reallocated to Howrah (HWH) shed.

History edit

This class was actually variant of the WAP-4 design where Co-Co Flexicoil Mark 1 cast bogies of the usual WAP4 was replaced by Fabricated Flexicoil Mark IV bogies. All other specifications were same as WAP4. WAP-1 unit no. 22212 was the first to be rebuilt into a WAP-6. It was provided with Flexicoil bogies and other upgrades. Then it was rebuilt into WAP-4. Later, more WAP-1 units were re-geared and provided with high-adhesion fabricated bogies (Flexicoil Mark IV) which are somewhat similar to ALCO hi-adhesion bogies. They were intended to reach 140 km/h (87 mph) but failed to do so in trials and were restricted at 105 km/h (65 mph). Two units,i.e., 22406 and 22408 are upgraded with better wheel-sets. This class was an unsuccessful one. All have been converted back as WAP-4. About 16 of these were built (All in the number series 22400–22416.).[2]

Technical specifications edit

Technical specification[3]
Traction motors Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated, 3,485 kg (7,683 lb), 630 kW (840 hp), 750 V, 900 A, 895 RPM, parallel grouping, C class armature and field, temperature rise (Armature 60, filed 70 and commutator 85) in °C, coil resistance (armature 0.01284 ohms+10%, field 0.01184 ohms+10% and commutator 0.00907 ohms+10%, air gap main pole 6.35 kVA, air gap inter-pole 10 mm (0.3937 in)
Gear ratio 58:23
Transformer CCL make, aluminium coil, 3400 kVA, 32 taps
Rectifier 2 silicon rectifier cubicle 2700 A, 1050 V
Number of sandboxes 4
2 Headlights 250 W, 32 V
Lead acid Battery 50 cells, 110 V (rated 5 hr)
Arno Converter 216 kVA
2 FLAKT smoothing reactor blower PHMX-40
2 Silicon Rectifier Blower 60 kg (132 lb)
Oil cooler blower S.F. India Ltd.
Smoothing reactor for traction motor SL-30 type, 1350 A, 1270 V, 2 Coils, 0.00535 ohms resistance at 110 °C (230 °F)

Hauling capacity edit

If the average weight of ICF coaches is 55 tonnes then:

Grades/km/h Start 20 40 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160
Level 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1155 805 570
1 in 500 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1105 805 565 400
1 in 200 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1320 1230 1035 730 535 375 260
1 in 150 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1500+ 1405 1090 1020 860 610 445 310 215
1 in 100 1500+ 1570 1490 1405 1365 1195 1020 795 750 635 445 320 220 145
1 in 50 1160 770 750 720 710 625 530 410 390 325 220 150 90 45

* Except One all the locomotives are rebuild back to wap-4.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "IRFCAspecs".
  2. ^ "WAP6".
  3. ^ "Trainweb".
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