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Indian locomotive class WCP-1

The Indian locomotive class WCP-1 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in late 1920s by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Direct Current (C), Passenger traffic (P) engine, 1st generation (1). They entered service in 1930. A total of 22 WCP-1s were built in England between 1928 and 1929.

GIPR EA/1
IR WCP-1
GIPR 4006 at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderSLM, Metrovick
Build date1928–1930
Total produced22
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UIC2′Bo(A1)
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Wheelbase11.883 m (38 ft 11+3⁄4 in)
Length16.300 m (53 ft 5+3⁄4 in)
Adhesive weight60 t (59 long tons; 66 short tons)
Loco weight100 t (98 long tons; 110 short tons)
Electric system/s1500 V DC
Current pickup(s)Overhead lines
Traction motorsSix
TransmissionSLM universal drive
Performance figures
Maximum speed137 km/h (85 mph)
Power output:
​
 • 1 hour2,095 hp (1,562 kW; 2,124 PS)
 • Continuous1,830 hp (1,360 kW; 1,860 PS)
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting150 kN (34,000 lbf)
Career
Operators
Numbers
  • GIPR 4000, 4003–4024
  • IR 20002–20023
Withdrawn1980s
Current ownerNational Rail Museum, New Delhi
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The WCP-1 served passenger trains for over 50 years. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 kV AC electrification, all were withdrawn by early 1980s. Only one locomotive, GIPR 4006, is preserved at the National Rail Museum, with the remainder of the units being scrapped.

History

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The electrification of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway began in 1922. Powerful locomotives were required to transport the express trains on the mountain railway to overcome the Western Ghats. They also had to be able to reach speeds of 85 miles an hour (137 km/h)[1] - a very high speed at that time, which was not even the case with the E 501 and 502 of the Paris-Orleans Railway had been requested.[2] Three test locomotives were therefore ordered from different manufacturers in order to be able to select a suitable design for the series. The tender and evaluation was monitored by the UK electrical engineering firm Merz & McLellan in London.

The Great Indian Peninsula Railway ordered the test locomotives in 1923

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  •  
    An EA-1 Locomotive at NRM- Front view
  •  
    An EA-1 Locomotive at NRM- Oblique view

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jakob Buchli (1927), "Universal-Antrieb "Winterthur" für elektrische Lokomotiven", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), vol. Band 90, no. 23, pp. 294–296, doi:10.5169/seals-41817
  2. ^ Mitteilung der SLM (1927), "Neuerungen im mechanischen Aufbau elektrischer Schnellzuglokomotiven", Schweizerische Bauzeitung (in German), vol. Band 89, no. 13, pp. 174–175, doi:10.5169/seals-41673
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