Indian locomotive class WAP-4

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WAP-4
BRC WAP4.jpg
Vadodara based WAP-4E roaming light at Durg
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderChittaranjan Locomotive Works, West Bengal, India
Serial number22206
Build date1993 till 2 December 2015
Total produced778 as of August 2016 (Production Ceased)
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo'-Co'
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
BogiesCo-Co Flexicoil Mark 90 cast bogies; primary and secondary wheel springs with bolsters
Wheel diameterNew:1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Half worn: 1,055 mm (3 ft 5+12 in)
Full worn: 1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Length18.794 m (61 ft 7+2932 in)
Width3.179 m (10 ft 5+532 in)
Height4.272 m (14 ft 316 in)
Axle load18,800 kg (41,400 lb)
Loco weight112,800 kg (248,700 lb)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph
No. of traction motorsHitachi HS15250
Traction motorsHitachi HS15250
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir
Safety systemsSlip control, Over voltage relay, Main overload relay, Earth Fault Relay, Low Pressure Governor, Brake Cylinder Cutoff Valve, Train parting alarms and No OHE volt relay
Performance figures
Maximum speed140 km/h (87 mph)
Power outputContinuous: 5,050 hp (3,766 kW)
Tractive effortStarting : 30,800 kgf (302 kN; 68,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers22061 and from 22201-22399, 22500-22999 & 25000-25051
LocaleAll over India
DispositionActive

The Indian locomotive class WAP-4 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in 1993 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Passenger traffic (P) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in late 1994. A total of 773 WAP-4 were built at CLW between 1993 and 2015, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric passenger locomotive until the WAP-7. The locomotive was developed after its predecessor, the WAP-1, was found inadequate to haul the longer, heavier express trains (24-26 coaches) that were becoming the mainstay of the Indian Railways network.

The WAP-4 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways serving both passenger and freight trains for over 27 years. This class provided the basic design for other locomotives like the WAP-6 . Despite the introduction of more modern types of locomotives like WAP-7, a significant number are still in use, both in mainline duties. Production of this class was halted in December 2015 with locomotive number 25051 being the last unit to be rolled out of Chittaranjan Locomotive Works. As of October 2021, all locomotives except those lost in accidents still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WAP-4, with further examples having been converted back from WAP-6. Recently as per directive received from Railway Board [RB] all the loco sheds holding WAP-4 type locomotive have started "Mu" [Multiple Unit] operations. This configuration of Mu WAP-4 locos are being used to haul medium tonnage faster freight trains across IR. The different locomotive sheds of WAP4 are Arakkonam, Santragachi, Erode, MughalSarai, Howrah and Bhusaval.

Locomotive sheds[]

Zone Shed Name Code Quantity
Central Railway Bhusaval BSL 43
Eastern Railway Asansol ASN 18
Howrah HWH 48
HWH(D) 15
East Central Railway Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay DDU 30
Samastipur SPJ(D) 62
East Coast Railway Visakhapatnam VSKP 11
Northern Railway Tughlakabad TKD(D) 37
North Central Railway Jhansi JHS 38
North Eastern Railway Gonda GD(D) 53
North Western Railway Abu Road ABR(D) 2
Southern Railway Arakkonam AJJ 88
Erode ED 48
ED(D) 10
South Central Railway Vijayawada BZA 63
South Eastern Railway Santragachi SRC 60
Western Railway Valsad BL 32
Vatva VTA 40
West Central Railway Itarsi ET 75
Total locomotives active as of 1-02-2022[1] 773

See also[]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ "e-Locos".

Bibliography[]

  • Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
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