The Indian locomotive class WCAM–3 is a class of dual-power AC/DC series electric locomotives That was developed in 1997 by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited used in the Indian Railways 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 Nashik and Pune.
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. 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). Co-Co fabricated bogies (High-Adhesion—shwered with WCAG-1, WAG-7, WDG-2, etc.) with secondary suspension. Monocoque underframe. Air brakes were 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. 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. Auxiliaries from Elgi, S F India, Best, Gresham & Craven, etc.
Static converter from ACEC for auxiliary supply. In DC mode, rheostatic braking by self-excitation of traction motors available until 17 km/h. Elgi compressor, other auxiliaries from S F India. Rated for 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. 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 as well as Central Railway which was on a 1.5 kV DC overhead system, as opposed to other parts of India which had 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead.[1] 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, and post 25 kV transformation, WCAMs were fully transformed into pure AC locomotives, and the performance was even more improved.
Freight rakes double-headed by WCAM-3 (upgraded models) are a common sight on the ghat sections. MU operation possible with 3 (4?) units. As of [12/05], 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's not been verified.
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The Indian locomotive class WCAM 3 is a class of dual power AC DC series electric locomotives That was developed in 1997 by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited used in the Indian Railways 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 Nashik and Pune WCAM 3Type and originPower typeElectricBuilderBharat Heavy Electricals LimitedBuild date1997 1998Total producedWCAM 3 53SpecificationsConfiguration UICCo Co Gauge5 ft 6 in 1 676 mm Electric system s25 kV 50 Hz AC1 5 kV DC past Current pickup s Pantographs one each for AC and DC past both now used for AC Performance figuresMaximum speed105 km h 65 mph DC 105 km h 65 mph ACPower outputMax Power 5 350 hp 3 990 kW AC Continuous 5 000 hp 3 700 kW AC4 600 hp 3 400 kW DCCareerOperatorsCentral RailwaysNumbersStarting from 21881 21900 21931 21963LocaleCentral Railways Contents 1 History 1 1 Current Usage 2 Locomotive shed 3 Technical specifications 2 4 Trains hauled by WCAM 3 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditThe 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 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 Co Co fabricated bogies High Adhesion shwered with WCAG 1 WAG 7 WDG 2 etc with secondary suspension Monocoque underframe Air brakes were 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 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 Auxiliaries from Elgi S F India Best Gresham amp Craven etc Static converter from ACEC for auxiliary supply In DC mode rheostatic braking by self excitation of traction motors available until 17 km h Elgi compressor other auxiliaries from S F India Rated for 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 Edit The class are in active service in the Central Railway zone 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 as well as Central Railway which was on a 1 5 kV DC overhead system as opposed to other parts of India which had 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead 1 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 and post 25 kV transformation WCAMs were fully transformed into pure AC locomotives and the performance was even more improved Freight rakes double headed by WCAM 3 upgraded models are a common sight on the ghat sections MU operation possible with 3 4 units As of 12 05 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 s not been verified Locomotive shed EditZone Name Shed Code QuantityCentral Railway Kalyan KYN 53Total Locomotives Active as of 01 01 2023 1 53Technical specifications 2 EditClass WCAM 3Year 1997 Maker BHELTraction Motors Hitachi HS15250A Axle hung nose suspended force ventilated Transformer BHEL 5400 kVA 32 tapsPower hp 4600 DC 5300 AC Max 5000 AC cont Rectifiers Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 Siemens 16 cells per bridge 1000 V 3600 A Speed 105 DC 105 ACWeight tonnes 113Trains hauled by WCAM 3 EditTapovan Express Kanyakumari Mumbai Express Pragati Express Sahyadri Express Mumbai Amravati Express Nandigram Express Deccan Queen Mumbai Chennai Mail Koyna Express Dadar Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express Dadar Central Ratnagiri PassengerSee also EditLocomotives of India Rail transport in India History Rail transport in India Patna junction chatrapati sivaji Maharaja taminels Kalyan junction Indian RailwaysReferences Edit e Locos WCAM 2 at Indian Railways Fan ClubExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian locomotive class WCAM3 http www irfca org gallery Events cracdcjan13 http www irfca org faq faq loco electric dc html acdc Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Indian locomotive class WCAM 3 amp oldid 1131150444, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
