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
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 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 speedDesigned: 160 km/h (99 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
DispositionOne scrapped, remainder rebuilt to WAP-4

The WAP-6 were intended to be a higher-speed variant of the WAP-4, but were restricted to a top speed of 105 km/h after failing trials. All were based at Asansol (ASN) shed, but after conversion to WAP-4 specifications, they were reallocated to Howrah (HWH) shed.

History

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This class was a regeared variant of the WAP-4 mounted on Fabricated Flexicoil Mark IV bogies, instead of the standard Co-Co Flexicoil Mark 1 cast bogies seen on other WAP-4 locomotives. All other specifications were same as WAP-4. WAP-1 no.22212 was the first to be rebuilt into a WAP-6, being fitted with Flexicoil bogies and other upgrades; it was later rebuilt into a WAP-4. Subsequently, 16 more WAP-1 units were re-geared and mounted on Flexicoil Mark IV high-adhesion bogies, which are similar to high-adhesion bogies made by ALCO. Renumbered to 22400–22416, they were intended for 160 km/h (99 mph) operations, but in trials, they were unable to reach that speed and were therefore restricted to 105 km/h (65 mph). Two units, 22406 and 22408, were upgraded with better wheel-sets. This class was unsuccessful,[according to whom?] with most locomotives of this series being converted back as WAP-4.[2]

Technical specifications

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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

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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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Diesel and Electric Locomotive Specifications". Indian Railways Fan Club. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Electric Locomotive Classes – AC Electrics". Indian Railways Fan Club. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  3. ^ "WAP-6". trainweb.org. Retrieved 20 November 2024.