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 service only in the Mumbai region. The dual-voltage WCAM series locomotives haul intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region which is still on a 1500V DC overhead system, as opposed to other parts of India which have 25000 V AC overhead.
Borivali/Virar is the change-over point for the traction, being DC inwards near Mumbai and AC on the outer side. The WCAM class of locos on Western Railways operates till Vadodara on the mainline beyond which it is an 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 the Central Railway line they are in service on Mumbai - Igatpuri line. Sometimes they travel to Manmad
Recently, Western Railway has begun converting the Mumbai region's 1500v DC traction to 25000v AC traction. This will result in the elimination of the need to change engine's at Vadodara & WAP engines will start entering the Mumbai region.
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There are four types of Locomotives under WCAM class:
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 (575 kW, 750V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended | TAO 659 (575 kW, 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 | 4600 DC / 5000 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 | 53 | 12+ |
| Serial nos | 21800-852 | 21861-880 | 21881-900 /21931-963 | 21971+ |