Indian locomotive class WAG-6B/C

The Indian locomotive class WAG-6B/C is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in the 1988 by Hitachi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Goods (G) engine, 6th generation (6) Second/Third variant (B/C). They entered service in 1988. A total of 12 WAG-6 (6 B variant and 6 C variant) were built at Hitachi, Japan between 1987 and 1988. they along with WAG-6A were the most powerful locomotives in India until the arrival of the WAG-9 class.

Indian locomotive class WAG–6
VSKP based WAG-6C locos at Koraput.
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerHitachi
BuilderHitachi
Order number85/RSF/459/1/(LT-33)
Build date1988
Total produced
  • WAG-6B:6
  • WAG-6C:6
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UIC
  • WAG-6B:Bo'Bo'Bo'
  • WAG-6C:Co'Co
 • Commonwealth
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Bogies2 axle double stage field excitation
Wheel diameterNew: 1,140 mm (3 ft 9 in)
Half-worn: 1,102 mm (3 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Full-worn:1,065 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheelbase
  • WAG-6B:2,200 mm (7 ft 3 in)
  • WAG-6C:2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)
Length:
​
 • Over beams20,940 mm (68 ft 8 in)
 • Body19,640 mm (64 ft 5 in)
Width3,000 mm (9 ft 10 in)
Height4,235 mm (13 ft 11 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%
Sandbox cap.40L
Power supply110 V DC
Electric system/s25 kV AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph
Traction motors
  • WAG-6B:HS-15556-OIR
  • WAG-6C:HS-15256-UIR
MU working2 units
Loco brakeAir, Dynamic braking
Train brakesAir
Compressor1,580 L (348 imp gal; 417 US gal)
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 speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output:
​
 • StartingMax:6,200 hp (4,620 kW)
 • 1 hourMax:6,110 hp (4,560 kW)
 • ContinuousMax:6,050 hp (4,510 kW)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting45,000 kgf (440 kN)
 • 1 hour32,000 kgf (310 kN)
 • Continuous32,000 kgf (310 kN)
Factor of adh.0.25
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers
  • WAG-6B:26010-26015
  • WAG-6C:26020-26025
LocaleKothavalasa–Kirandul line
DeliveredDecember 1987 ( First unit) January 1988 (remaining 5)
First run1988
Preserved1 earmarked from each variant
ScrappedFrom 2007 to 2015
Current ownerIndian Railways
DispositionA few still in service

These locomotives are still few in service for shunting and departmental duties with 1 unit from each variant are earmarked for preservation.

History

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:

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

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

Specification( WAG 6B, WAG 6C )
  • Builder: Hitachi
  • Build dates:
    • WAG 6B, 1988
    • WAG 6C, 1988
  • Wheel arrangement:
  • Traction Motors:
    • (WAG-6B) Hitachi HS 15556-OIR, bogie mounted, force-ventilated, compound-wound, 3200 kg
    • (WAG-6C) Hitachi HS 15256-UIR, axle-hung nose-suspended, force-ventilated, compound-wound, 3650 kg.
  • Transformer: (WAG-6B/C) Hitachi AFIC-MS, 6325 kVA.
  • Thyristor controller:(WAG-6B/C) 32 CGOIDA thyristors each with 24 DSP2500A diodes. 2x720 A, 850 V.
  • Pantographs: (WAG-6B/C) Two Faiveley LV2600

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

See also

References
  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. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Diesel and Electric Locomotive Specifications". irfca.org. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  5. "e-Locos".
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