WCAM Class

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WCAM3 at Kurla

WCAM (W -broad gauge ; CA -Both DC and AC ; M -for both goods and passenger service) is the dual-power AC-DC series locomotive used by Indian Railways. These locomotives can run under both DC traction and AC traction .All the WCAM locos were made by BHEL.They have 750V DC traction motors, using resistance banks in DC mode and a variable ratio auto-transformer with rectifier units in AC mode, for power control.

The WCAM class locomotives are in servies only in Mumbai Region. The dual-voltage WCAM series locomotives haul intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region which is still on 1500V DC overhead system as opposed to other parts of India which have 25000 V AC overhead.

Virar is the change-over point the traction, being DC inwards near Mumbai and AC on the outer side. The WCAM class of locos on Western Railways operated till Baroda on the mainline beyond which it is purely AC line. Trains to Ahmedabad from Mumbai are usually hauled by WCAM locos all the way. Generally the WCAM locos are restricted to Valsad / Surat. On Central Railway line they are in service on Mumbai - Igatpuri route which is change over point for AC-DC line . Sometimes they go up to till Manmad

There are four types of Locomotives under WCAM class -
Mixed type locomotives:

WCAM 1
WCAM 2
WCAM 3

Goods locomotives:

WCAG 1

Comparative Specifications of different type of WCAM

Class	WCAM–1	WCAM–2/2P	WCAM–3	WCAG–1
Year	1975-79	1995-96	1997+	1999-2000
Maker	CLW	BHEL	BHEL	BHEL
Traction Motors	Alstom/CLW TAO 659 A1 (575kW, 750V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended	TAO 659 (575kW, 750V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated	Hitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated	Hitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
Transformer	HEL BOT 34600. 3460kVA	BHEL 5400 kVA	BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps	BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps
Power(hp)	3850 AC (1 hr)2930 DC / 3640 AC cont.)	3780? DC / 4720 AC cont.4950 starting	4600 (4700?) DC / 5000 AC	2930 DC / 4720 AC cont.
Rectifiers	Silicon rectifiers, 48 cells (321 UFR200) per bridge, 1000A/1270V	Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000V / 3600A	Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000V / 3600A.	Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000V / 3600A.
Speed	80-100 DC / 120 AC	105 DC / 120 AC	105	100
Weight(tonnes)	113	113	113	128
Quantity	53	20	50	12+
Serial nos	21800-852	21861-880	21881-900 /21931-960	21971+