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 1961 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 WCM-5 was the first locomotive of any kind fully developed and built in India, entering 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 type Electric Designer CLW Builder CLW Build date 1961-1963 Total produced 21
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co′Co′  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Bogies 3 Axle fabricated frame, Swing bolster with Equalizer beams Wheel diameter New: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) Wheelbase 2,337 mm (7 ft 8 in) Length: ​  • Over couplers 20.168 m (66 ft 2 in)  • Over body 18.898 m (62 ft 0 in) Width 3.200 m (10 ft 6 in) Height 4.293 m (14 ft 1 in) Frame type 3 Axle fabricated frame Axle load 20.30 tonnes (19.98 long tons; 22.38 short tons) Loco weight 124.00 tonnes (122.04 long tons; 136.69 short tons) Sandbox cap. 16 sandboxes each Power supply 110 V DC Electric system/s 1.5 kV DC Overhead Current pickup(s) Pantograph Traction motors HS-373-BR ​  • Rating 1 hour 765A  • Continuous 620A Gear ratio 16:59 Loco brake Air/Hand, Regenerative braking Train brakes Vacuum Compressor 7kg/cm² Safety systems Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output: ​  • Starting Max: 3,700 hp (2,760 kW)  • 1 hour Max: 3,700 hp (2,760 kW)  • Continuous Max: 3,170 hp (2,360 kW) Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 31,000 kgf (300 kN)  • 1 hour 21,772 kgf (210 kN)  • Continuous 17,690 kgf (170 kN) Factor of adh. 0.25
Career Operators Indian Railways Numbers 20083-20103 Official name Lokmanya (for first locomotive) Locale Central Railways Delivered 1960 First run 1961 Last run January 2000 Retired Early 2000s Preserved 1 Disposition One preserved, remainder scrapped

The WCM-5 served both passenger and freight trains for nearly 40 years. In 1998 the last WCM-5 locomotive done the duty with legendary Indrayani Express. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV AC electrification, all were withdrawn in the early 2000s after repeated failures. Today one locomotive is on display at the Kolkata Rail Musuem, while rest of the locomotives had been scrapped.

History

The history of WCM-5 began 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 on Central Railways (CR). 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.

The WCM-5 locomotives were used on many express trains such as the Deccan Queen, and the Indrayani Express, as well as freight trains. The Deccan Queen had WCM-5 with a matching livery until the 1990s. In the 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 (KYN)		Cream/Lightblue with red lining	Preserved at Howrah Rail Museum

Former sheds

• Pune
• Kalyan (KYN)

See also

• Rail transport in India#History
• Indian Railways
• Locomotives of India
• Rail transport in India

External links

• http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WCM-1
• [1]
• India railway fan club