Indian locomotive class WAP-1

The Indian locomotive class WAP-1 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in 1980 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Passenger traffic (P) locomotive, 1st generation (1). They entered service in late 1981. A total of 65 WAP-1 were built at CLW between 1980 and 1996, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric passenger locomotive until its successor, the WAP-4.

WAP-1
Ghaziabad based WAP-1 with Paschim Express.
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderChittaranjan Locomotive Works, West Bengal, India
Build date1980–1996
Total producedWAP-1: 65
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo′Co′
GaugeBroad gauge|1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
BogiesFlexicoil (cast steel 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+1⁄2 in)
Full worn: 1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Length18.794 m (61 ft 7+29⁄32 in)
Width3.179 m (10 ft 5+5⁄32 in)
Height4.272 m (14 ft 3⁄16 in)
Axle load18,800 kg (41,400 lb)
Loco weight112,000 kg (247,000 lb)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)pantograph
Traction motorsAlstom/CLW TAO 659
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir ,Dual
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 speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Power outputContinuous: 3,800 hp (2,834 kW)
Tractive effortStarting: 22,400 kgf (220 kN; 49,000 lbf)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers22000–22076, many being converted to WAP-4
LocaleAll over India
DispositionActive

The WAP-1 is India's first dedicated electric passenger locomotive of Indian Railways serving passenger trains for over 42 years. This class provided the basic design for a number of other locomotives like WAP-3 and WAP-4 models. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like WAP-5 and WAP-7, the WAP-1 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller express and passenger trains and now the aging fleet the WAP-1 locomotives are being slowly withdrawn from mainline duties and scrapped.

As of June 2022, 55 locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WAP-1, with further examples having been converted to WAP-4.

Development

Background

In the early 1980s, Indian Railways began considering developing a passenger version of its WAM-4 class...[1] Designed for both passenger and goods trains the WAM-4 was one of the most successful locomotives of the 1970s and a mainstay of the Indian Railways.

Five prototype locomotives of this type were ordered from CLW to the design of RDSO. The first prototype locomotive was put into service in 1981.[2] They were first used on the Howrah Rajdhani Express.[3]

The locomotive is powered by six axle-hungs, nose-suspended forced ventilated type DC traction motors. Speed control is achieved by grouping in 2S-3P combination and by field weakening of the motor. It utilises a silicon rectifier for conversion of AC power into DC.[lower-roman 1][4]

They are being converted to make them suitable for multiple operations. Compressed air brakes for the locomotives and vacuum brakes for the train are provided. The brake system is being modified to make them suitable for dual brakes.

The WAP-1 provided the basis for the WAP-4.

Variants
Main article: Indian locomotive class WAP-3

The WAP-3 is the upgraded variant of the WAP-1 with better top speed. All units of this class were WAP-1 units already in service. The first locomotive converted was a WAP-1 '22005' named Jawahar. Subsequently 8 more WAP-1 were converted, But since the class were not a great success and had performance issues these were converted back to WAP-1.

  • 2925 Paschim Express with a WAP-1
    2925 Paschim Express with a WAP-1
  • TKD WAP-1 22006 RajHans at Katihar
    TKD WAP-1 22006 RajHans at Katihar
  • WAP-1
    WAP-1
  • AJJ WAP-1 with WAP-4 livery hauls Trivandrum-bound Guwahati Express
    AJJ WAP-1 with WAP-4 livery hauls Trivandrum-bound Guwahati Express
  • AJJ WAP-1 in full WAP-4 livery.
    AJJ WAP-1 in full WAP-4 livery.
  • 12497 (NDLS-ASR) Shaan-e-Punjab Express with a WAP-1
    12497 (NDLS-ASR) Shaan-e-Punjab Express with a WAP-1
  • WAP-1 22076 Aastha of GZB with Agra-bound ICE at LJN
    WAP-1 22076 Aastha of GZB with Agra-bound ICE at LJN
  • WAP-1 with Raj Livery at Delhi
    WAP-1 with Raj Livery at Delhi

Locomotive sheds
ZoneNameShed codeQuantity
Northern Railway AlambaghAMV (D)16
North Eastern RailwayIzzatnagarIZN (D)15
Southern RailwayErodeED (D)27
Total locomotives active as of June 2023[5]58


See also

References
  1. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway EA/1 class of 1928 may disagree.
  1. https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/raj-icf17.pdf
  2. "[IRFCA] A Brief History of Railway Electrification in India". www.irfca.org. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  3. https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/raj-icf17.pdf
  4. "Electric Locomotive Roster: The WAP Series!". September 3, 2016.
  5. "e-Locos".
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