The Indian locomotive class WDM-3A is a class of diesel–electric locomotive that was developed in 1993 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, with 3300 horsepower (3A). The WDM-3A is a later classification of earlier WDM-2C. They entered service in 1994. A total of 143+ were built at ALCO and Banaras Locomotive Works between 1994 and 2003 with rest of the 1246 units being rebuilt from WDM-2 which made them the most numerous class of mainline diesel locomotive until the WDG-4.
Quick Facts WDM-3A, Type and origin ...
WDM-3A |
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Ernakulam based WDM-3A twins at Turavur. |
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Specifications |
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Configuration:
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• UIC | Co′Co′ |
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• Commonwealth | Co-Co |
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Gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
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Bogies | AlCo Asymmetric Cast Steel Trimount Bogie (Old), Advance Trimount High Speed (ATHS) fabricated bogie (New) |
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Wheel diameter | 1,092 mm (3 ft 7.0 in) |
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Wheelbase: | |
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• Axle spacing (Asymmetrical) | 1,702 mm (5 ft 7 in) 2,108 mm (6 ft 11 in) |
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Pivot centres | 10,516 mm (34 ft 6 in) |
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Length:
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• Over couplers | 17,132 mm (56 ft 2+1⁄2 in) |
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• Over beams | 15,862 mm (52 ft 1⁄2 in) |
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Width | 2,900 mm (9 ft 6+1⁄8 in) |
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Height | 4,185 mm (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in) |
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Axle load | 18.8 t (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons) |
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Loco weight | 112.8 t (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons) |
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Fuel type | Diesel |
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Fuel capacity | 5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal) |
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Lubricant cap. | 1,270 L (280 imp gal; 340 US gal) |
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Coolant cap. | 1,210 L (270 imp gal; 320 US gal) |
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Sandbox cap. | 160 L (35 imp gal; 42 US gal) |
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Prime mover | Alco 251-B (BLW Uprated) |
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RPM range | 400–1050 rpm |
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Engine type | V16 Four-stroke diesel engine |
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Aspiration | ABB VTC304-VG15 OR Napier NA-295IR OR GE 7S1716 Turbo-supercharged |
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Displacement | 175.14 L (38.53 imp gal; 46.27 US gal) |
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Alternator | BHEL TA10102CW |
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Generator | BHEL AG2702AZ (Old), BHEL AG3101AY-1 (New) |
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Traction motors | BHEL TM4906AZ or BHEL TM4907BZ |
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• Rating 1 hour | 1060 amps |
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• Continuous | 1000 amps |
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Cylinders | 16 |
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Cylinder size | 228.6 mm × 266.7 mm (9.00 in × 10.50 in) bore x stroke |
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Transmission | Diesel–electric AC-DC Transmission |
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Gear ratio | 18:65 |
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MU working | 2 |
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Loco brake | Air Brake, Dynamic Brake, Hand Brake |
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Train brakes | Air Brake |
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Compressor | 2,266 L/min (@ 400 rpm), 5,665 L/min (@ 1000 rpm) |
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Performance figures |
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Maximum speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
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Power output | Max: 3100 HP/ 3300 HP (Rebuilt) Site rated: 2900 HP/ 3007 HP |
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Tractive effort | 30.45 tf (298.6 kN) @ 27% adhesion |
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Factor of adh. | 2.6 |
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Brakeforce | 22 tf (220 kN) |
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Career |
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Operators | Indian Railways
Bangladesh Railway |
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Numbers | 13xxx, 14001-14057, 14058-14143, 16000-, few in 18xxx series and 17xxx series |
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Nicknames | Cheetah, Prabal, Velociti, Awadh, Firex, Sher Punjab, Veer |
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Preserved | 1 |
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Disposition | active |
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Close
The WDM-3A is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways serving both passenger and freight trains for over 26 years. A few WDM-3A units were exported to neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Despite the introduction of more modern types of locomotives like WDG-4 and electrification, a significant number are still in use, both in mainline and departmental duties. As of April 2022, 769 locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WDM-3A, with further examples having been converted back to WDM-2 or WDM-2S. The loco is now widely used across India for long-distance passenger trains due to its ruggedness and high tractive loads and acceleration.