| Indian WP | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Steam |
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works (116) Canadian Locomotive Company (200) Montreal Locomotive Works (120) Fabryka Lokomotyw, (30) Lokomotivfabrik Floridsdorf (30) Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (259) |
| Build date | 1947–1967 |
| Total produced | 755 |
| Configuration | 4-6-2 |
| UIC classification | 2′C1′ h2 |
| Gauge | 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) |
| Leading wheel diameter |
3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) |
| Driver diameter | 5 ft 7 in (1.702 m) |
| Trailing wheel diameter |
3 ft 7 in (1.092 m) |
| Length | 77 ft 5 3⁄8 in (23.61 m) over buffers |
| Axle load | 18.5 long tons (18.8 t) |
| Locomotive weight | 101.5 long tons (103.1 t) |
| Tender weight | 72.0 long tons (73.2 t) |
| Fuel type | Coal |
| Fuel capacity | 15 long tons (15 t) |
| Water capacity | 5,500 imp gal (25,000 l; 6,600 US gal) |
| Boiler pressure | 210 psi (1.45 MPa) |
| Firegrate area | 46 sq ft (4.3 m2) |
| Heating surface: Total |
2,920 sq ft (271 m2) |
| Cylinders | Two, outside |
| Cylinder size | 201⁄4 × 28 in (514 × 711 mm) |
| Valve gear | Walschaerts |
| Valve type | 12 in (305 mm) piston valves |
| Valve travel | 71⁄2 in (191 mm) |
| Power output | 1500 dbhp (est.) |
| Tractive effort | 30,600 lbf (136.12 kN) |
| Number | 7000–7754 |
| Disposition | Two preserved, remainder scrapped |
Indian locomotive class WP is a class of 4-6-2 "Pacific" steam locomotives used in India. The class was introduced after World War II for passenger duties, marking the change from 'X' to 'W' for broad gauge locomotives. It was capable of doing up to 110 km/h (68 mph) and was easily recognized by the cone-shaped bulging nose with (usually) a silver star device painted on it. WPs were designed specifically for low-calorie, high-ash Indian coal, by Railway Board designers in India.
Contents |
755 WPs were built between 1947 and 1967, bearing fleet numbers 7000 to 7754. The first batch of sixteen, numbers 7200–7215, came from the Baldwin Locomotive Works, USA in 1947, and these were classed WP/P. (P for Prototype). A main production batch of 300 locomotives followed in 1949, with production split between Baldwin (100), Montreal Locomotive Works (120), and Canadian Locomotive Company (80). The locomotives in this group were numbered 7216–7515, but the running numbers were issued in blocks as the locomotives were issued to the pre-nationalisaion companies, and so bore no relation to the manufacturers' serial numbers, or even the manufacturer.[1]
A further 180 locomotives were built between 1955 and 1959, with production split between Canadian Locomotive Company (120), Fabryka Lokomotyw, of Chrzanów, Poland (30), and Lokomotivfabrik Floridsdorf of Vienna, Austria (30). Between 1963 and 1966, 259 more were built, but these were ordered from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), and were manufactured in India, and classified WP/I.[1] The WP/Is were 5 tonnes heavier.
| Year | Manufacturer | Serial Nos. | Qty | First Nos. | All-India Nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Baldwin | 73408–73423 | 16 | — | 7200–7215 | Prototypes |
| 1949 | Baldwin | 74294–74393 | 100 | 1–100 | In range 7216–7515 | |
| 1949 | Canadian | 2544–2623 | 80 | C251–C330 | In range 7216–7515 | |
| 1949 | Montreal | 77200–77259 77345–74399 77576–77580 |
120 | M1–M120 | In range 7216–7515 | |
| 1955–56 | Canadian | 2730–2849 | 120 | — | 7516–7635 | |
| 1958–59 | Fablok | 4997–5006 5031–5050 |
30 | 3000–3029 | 7000–7029 | |
| 1957 | Florisdorf | 17827–17856 | 30 | 3030–3059 | 7030–7059 | |
| 1963 | Chittaranjan | — | 36 | — | 7060–7095 | |
| 1963–64 | Chittaranjan | — | 50 | — | 7096–7145 | |
| 1964–65 | Chittaranjan | — | 33 | — | 7146–7178 | |
| 1965 | Chittaranjan | — | 73 | — | 7179–7199 7636–7687 |
|
| 1966 | Chittaranjan | — | 37 | — | 7688–7724 | |
| 1966 | Chittaranjan | — | 30 | — | 7725–7754 |
The entire class remained intact into the 1980s; some WPs remained in service until the 1990s. A few reconditioned WPs have been exported to countries in the middle East (after regauging?).
The WP was Indian railways' crack locomotive in 1960s and 1970s. Before the widespread introduction of diesel and electric locomotives several prestigious trains, such as the Taj Express, the Grand Trunk Express, Howrah-Madras Mail, Frontier Mail and the AirConditioned Express were once hauled by WP class locomotives.