The Indian locomotive class WCAM–3 is a class of dual-power AC/DC series

electric locomotives An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or on-board energy storage such as a Battery (electricity), battery or a supercapacitor. Locomotives with on-board fuelled prime mover (locomotive), ...

That was developed in 1997 by

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is an Indian Public Sector Undertakings in India, central public sector undertaking and the largest government-owned electrical/ industrial technology company. It is owned by the Government of Indi ...

used in the

Indian Railways Indian Railways is a state-owned enterprise that is organised as a departmental undertaking of the Ministry of Railways (India), Ministry of Railways of the Government of India and operates India's national railway system. , it manages the fou ...

system. They are the third locomotives from the WCAM class. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), DC Current (C), AC Current (A), Mixed traffic (M) locomotive, 3rd generation (3). They entered service in 1997. A total of 53 WCAM-3 were built at BHEL between 1997 and 1998, which made them the most numerous class of mainline dual-power AC-DC electric locomotive. They were specifically designed for use by Central Railways in the Ghat section towards

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and

Pune Pune ( ; , ISO 15919, ISO: ), previously spelled in English as Poona (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1978), is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau in Western ...

History

Background

The WCAM-3 locomotives were developed after Central Railways faced a massive locomotive crisis in the 1990s. During this period, many of the WCM locomotives, which began to show their age, suffered several failures. As a result, CR had a tough time in maintaining train schedules, which led to the demand for a locomotive similar to the WCAM-2/2P, which was already successful in the

Western Railways The Western Railway (abbreviated WR) is one of the 19 zones of Indian Railways and is among the busiest railway networks in India, headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra. The major railway routes of Indian Railways which come under Western Railw ...

. Thus the WCAM-3 was introduced along with the WCAG-1, with more power and traction. The locomotive class was jointly developed by RDSO and BHEL in 1997. Components were shared with the WCAG-1 locos (see below), such as High-Adhesion fabricated bogies shared with other locomotives such as the WCAG-1,

WAG-7 The Indian locomotive class WAG-7 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in 1990 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), alternating current (A), goods traffic ( ...

and WDG-2, with secondary suspension, Monocoque underframe, and Air brakes as original equipment. They were originally manufactured under a BOLT (build-own-lease-transfer) contract with BHEL, and were probably still owned by BHEL rather than by IR. Additionally, they have axle-hung, nose-suspended, force ventilated, taper roller bearings Speed control by tap changers in AC mode and resistance notching in DC mode. Motors can be placed in different series-parallel combinations, with auxiliaries from Elgi, S F India, Best, Gresham & Craven, etc. The locomotive features a static converter from ACEC for auxiliary supply. In DC mode, rheostatic braking by self-excitation of traction motors available until 17 km/h. It has an elgi compressor, other auxiliaries from S F India. They have been rated to run at 105 km/h in DC mode and AC mode.Traction motor configurations as in the WCAM-1/2 and WAM-4 (all 6 in series, 2S 3P, or all parallel—the latter was the only one used under AC traction, enforced now by modifications to the locos).

Current usage

The class are in active service in the

Central Railway zone Central Railway (abbreviated CR) is one of the 19 zones of Indian Railways. Its headquarters are located at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai. It has the distinction of operating the first passenger railway line in India, which opened ...

. CR uses WCAM-3 locos on Mumbai-Pune, Diva-Ratnagiri and Mumbai-Igatpuri sections which had ghat portions as well as speed restrictions of about 100 km/h. They also used to haul intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region on

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

as well as Central Railway which was on a 1.5 kV DC overhead system, as opposed to other parts of

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which had 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead. WCAM engines now serve trains operating out of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and as bankers on Kasara-Igatpuri/Karjat-Lonavla section. Due to exclusivity in operation/maintenance of these locomotives, they do not go beyond the Central Railway's zone limits. These dual-traction models deliver 4600 hp in DC mode and 5000 hp in AC mode. From 2014, when the Central Line was converted to 25 kV traction, the WCAM-3 were fully transformed into pure AC locomotives by removing the DC equipment, and the performance had improved. These locomotives began to run between

and

Kolhapur Kolhapur () is a city on the banks of the Panchganga River in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Kolhapur is one of the most significant cities in South Maharashtra and has been a hub of historical, religious, and cultural a ...

after electrification was completed in 2022. Freight rakes double-headed by WCAM-3 (upgraded models) are a common sight on the ghat sections. MU operation is possible with 3-4 units. In December 2005, all WCAM-3 locos had been retrofitted with roof-mounted rheostatic braking grids. The acceleration is similar to those of WAP-4s and sometimes, it is quoted to match the acceleration levels of WAP-7s, although it has not been verified.

Locomotive shed

Conversion of WCAM-3 to WAG-7M

Between 2022 and 2024, 41-WCAM-3 locomotives were converted to WAG-7M, while the remaining locomotives are used for passenger duties. For the conversion, these locomotives had their gear ratios changed from 18:64 to 16:65.

Technical specifications

Source:WCAM-2
at Indian Railways Fan Club

Trains hauled by WCAM-3

* Pragati Express * Dadar Central - Satara Express * Deccan Queen * Koyna Express * Diva–Ratnagiri Passenger * Sinhagad Express * Diva - Sawantwadi Express

References

External links

Central Railway DC/AC Conversion - KalyanJn - Thane - LTT, Jan 12,2014 (IRFCA)

{{DEFAULTSORT:WCAM-3 Electric locomotives of India 1500 V DC locomotives 25 kV AC locomotives 5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives Multi-system locomotives BHEL locomotives Railway locomotives introduced in 1997