Indian locomotive class WCM-5

The Indian locomotive class WCM-5 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in 1956 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 trains were the first locomotive of any kind fully developed and built in India. They entered service in 1961. A total of 21 WCM-5 locomotives was built at CLW between 1961 and 1963.

Indian locomotive class WCM-5
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 1⁄2 in) and
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)
 • 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
WithdrawnEarly 2000s
Preserved1
DispositionAll but one have been scrapped.

The WCM-5 served both passenger and freight trains for over 39 years. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV AC electrification, all were withdrawn in early 2000s after repeated failures. Today one locomotive is preserved with rest of the locomotives have been Scrapped.

History

the history of WCM-5 begins in the early 1960s with the stated aim of the Indian Railways (IR) to remove the aging fleet of WCG-1 and WCP-1 class locomotives working in the 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. They are manufactured in India in 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 like the Deccan Queen, Indrayani Express etc as well as in Freight Duties. The Deccan Queen had WCM-5 with a matching livery until 1990s. In mid 1990s the aging WCM-5 began to fail regularly causing disruption in train services. So Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotive from services and by 2000 ,all units were withdrawn.

Preserved Examples
Class Manufacturer Loco Number Previous shed Name LIvery Location ref
WCM-5

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works

 20103 Kalyan Cream/Lightblue with red lining Preserved at Howrah Rail Museum [3]

Former sheds
  • Pune
  • Kalyan (KYN)
  • All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

See also

References
  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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