The Indian locomotive class WCAM-1 was a class of dual-voltage (25 kV AC and 1.5 kV DC) electric locomotives that was developed in 1973 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), DC Current (C), AC Current (A), Mixed traffic (M) locomotive, 1st generation (1). They entered service in March 1973. A total of 53 WCAM-1 were built at CLW between 1973 and 1979, which made them the most numerous class of mainline dual-power AC-DC electric locomotive.
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Quick Facts WCAM-1, Type and origin ...
WCAM-1[1] |
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Specifications |
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Configuration:
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• AAR | C-C |
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• UIC | Co'Co' |
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• Commonwealth | Co-Co |
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Gauge | 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) |
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Bogies | ALCo High-Adhesion Tri-mount cast |
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Wheel diameter | New: 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in) Half-worn: 1,055 mm (3 ft 5+1⁄2 in) Full-worn: 1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in) |
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Wheelbase | 14,432 mm (47 ft 4+1⁄4 in) |
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Length:
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• Over couplers | 20.950 m (68 ft 8+3⁄4 in) |
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• Over headstocks | 19.680 m (64 ft 6+3⁄4 in) |
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Width | 3.055 m (10 ft 1⁄4 in) |
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Height | 4.121 m (13 ft 6+1⁄4 in) |
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Axle load | 18.8 tonnes (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons) |
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Loco weight | 112.8 tonnes (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons) |
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Electric system/s | 25 kV 50 Hz AC 1.5 kV DC |
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Current pickup(s) | Pantograph (a separate one for AC and DC) |
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Traction motors | Alstom TAO-659A1 |
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MU working | Not possible |
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Loco brake | Air/Parking |
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Train brakes | Vacuum/Air[3] |
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Safety systems | Slip Control, Main Overload relay, Motor Overload Relay, Over Voltage relay, Earth fault relay, Low Pressure Governor and Brake Cylinder Cutoff Valve |
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Performance figures |
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Maximum speed |
- Starting: 100 km/h (62 mph) (DC)/120 km/h (75 mph) (AC)
- Continuous: 60 km/h (37 mph) (AC)/35 km/h (22 mph) (DC)
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Power output:
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• 1 hour | 3,850 hp (2,871 kW) (AC) |
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• Continuous | 2,350 hp (1,752 kW) (DC) 3,640 hp (2,714 kW) (AC) |
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Tractive effort:
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• Starting | 33,840 kgf (331.9 kN; 74,600 lbf) (AC) 23,200 kgf (228 kN; 51,000 lbf) (DC)
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• Continuous | 22,800 kgf (224 kN; 50,000 lbf) (DC) 16,000 kgf (160 kN; 35,000 lbf) (AC) |
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Factor of adh. | Dry:
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Close
The WCAM-1 was one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways, having served both passenger and freight trains for over 40 years between 1973 and 2015. This class was a bi-current version of the WAM-4 class. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like WAP-5 and WAP-7, the aging fleet of WCAM-1 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller passenger trains and have been fully withdrawn from mainline duties. All units have been scrapped with no locomotives preserved.