Indian locomotive class WDP-3A

The Indian locomotive class WDP-3A, colloquially nicknamed the Toaster, is a class of diesel–electric locomotive that was developed in 1998 by Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Passenger traffic (P) locomotive with 3,100 horsepower (3A). The WDP-3A is a later classification of earlier WDP-2. They entered service in 1998. A total of 44 were built between 1998 and 2001.

WDP-3A
GOC based WDP-3A with passenger train
Type and origin Power type Diesel–electric Builder Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW) Serial number WDP-2-1 to WDP-2-44 Model ALCO DL560C variant Build date October 4, 1998, to February 1, 2001 Total produced 44 Rebuilder Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW), Patiala
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR Co-Co  • UIC Co′Co′ Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Bogies Flexicoil Mark V fabricated bogies Wheel diameter 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in) Wheelbase 12.834 m (42 ft 1+1⁄4 in) Length 18.62 m (61 ft 1+1⁄8 in) Width 2.964 m (9 ft 8+3⁄4 in) Height 4.185 m (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in) Axle load 17,500 kg (38,600 lb) Loco weight 117 t (115 long tons; 129 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal) Water cap. 4,000 L (880 imp gal; 1,100 US gal)[citation needed] Sandbox cap. 58 kg (128 lb) Prime mover ALCO 251-C RPM range 400-1050 rpm Engine type V16 Diesel engine Aspiration ABB VTC304-15 or Napier NA 295 IR turbocharger Traction motors Bharat Heavy Electricals TA 10102 CW (new), BHEL TG 10931 AZ (old) Cylinders 16 Cylinder size 228 mm × 266 mm (8.98 in × 10.47 in) bore x stroke Transmission Diesel electric MU working 2 Train brakes Air Safety systems Alternative brake system
Performance figures Maximum speed 160 km/h (99 mph) Power output 3,100 hp (2,312 kW) Tractive effort 30.45 t (30 long tons; 34 short tons)
Career Operators Indian Railways Numbers 15501-15544 Nicknames Toasters, Pushpak Locale Southern Railway (GOC) Northern Railway (TKD) Central Railway (KYN) First run 1998 Preserved 1 earmarked Scrapped 2021-present Disposition Active (withdrawals ongoing)

They are the fastest ALCo based locomotive found in India with a top speed of 160 km/h, on par with the premier electric locomotives. The WDP-3A served IR for over 25 years. A significant number of these locomotives are still in use, both on mainline and departmental duties. As of November 2024, few of the locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WDP-3A, with further examples having been scrapped.

History

The first one was delivered in October 1998, under the name of WDP-2.^[1] 44 units produced until February 2001 (Indian Railway road number 15501-15544) had dual cab forward design different from other classes of locos built by DLW (WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDG-3A and WDP-1).^[2] These new locomotives have control stand similar to many electric locomotives. They are the re-geared versions of the WDM-3A. This was IR's attempt to build a high speed loco on ALCO platform. But the EMD locos came with a much better performance with higher HP rating to kill the prospect of WDP-3As. These units have air brakes only and the gear ratio is 64:19.^[3]

These locos (classified as WDP-2s at the time) were introduced initially the Chennai Egmore - Kanyakumari Section, hauling many prestigious trains like the Pallavan Express, Vaigai Express, Rockfort Express, Nellai Express and Pothigai Express to name a few. A problem with the WDP-3A was that it would get uncomfortably hot inside the driving cabin on the radiator side and the locos were nicknamed “toasters” by the locomotive pilots. The WDP-3A was best known for hauling the Trivandrum Rajdhani and later on the Mumbai CSMT - Karmali Tejas Express through the Konkan Railway at a top speed of 120 kmh single-handedly. In 2018, a couple of GOC-based WDP-3A locomotives were rebuilt at DMW Patiala with better bogies for riding comfort. Such rebuilt toasters bear the suffix 'R' to their road numbers.

However, due to age issues and cracking of bogie underframes, the WDP-3A locomotives of DLS, GOC, and KYN were withdrawn gradually from hauling passenger trains and were relegated to departmental use. In 2021, GOC announced the withdrawal of all WDP-3A's in their shed and a few WDP-3A's were sent to Ponmalai Workshop for scrapping. 15501 is to be preserved.

All WDP-3A locomotives of KYN DLS were condemned in January 2022 and scrapped at DLS.^{[citation needed]}

Locomotive sheds

Zone	Name	Shed Code	Quantity
Northern Railway	Tughlakabad	TKD (D)	16
Southern Railway	Golden Rock	GOC	1
Total Locomotives Active as of August 2024[4]			17

Former sheds

• Kalyan

Gallery

• 
  KYN WDP-3A hauling the Mumbai-Karmali Tejas Express.
• 
  Tughlakabad WDP-3A named "Pushpak"

See also

• Indian locomotive class WDM-3A
• Indian locomotive class WDM-2
• List of diesel locomotives of India
• Rail transport in India
• Indian Railways

References

1. "IR History: Part - VI (1970-1995)". Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
2. Agarwal, Avinash Kumal; Dhar, Atul; Gautam, Anirudh; Pandey, Ashok, eds. (2017). Locomotives and Rail Road Transportation - Technology, Challenges and Prospects. Springer. p. 16. ISBN 978-981-10-3787-0. LCCN 2017930134 – via Google Books.
3. "About WDP-3A". Indian Railways Fan Club.
4. "Listing All Locos - IRFCA Locomotive Database". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 8 March 2024.