Indian locomotive class WDM-3A

The Indian locomotive class WDM-3A is a class of diesel–electric locomotive that was developed in 1993 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, with 3300 horsepower (3A). The WDM-3A is a later classification of earlier WDM-2C. They entered service in 1994. A total of 143+ were built at ALCO and Banaras Locomotive Works between 1994 and 2003 with rest of the 1246 units being rebuilt from WDM-2 which made them the most numerous class of mainline diesel locomotive until the WDG-4.

This article is about the WDM-2 based locomotive series. For the original Diesel–hydraulic WDM-3, see Indian locomotive class WDM-3.

WDM-3A
Itarsi based WDM-3A locomotive at Itarsi yard.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
DesignerBLW, RDSO
BuilderBLW, PLW
ModelAlco DL560C
Build date1994–2015
Total producedWDM-3A: 1402
RebuilderPLW
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo′Co′
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
BogiesAlCo Asymmetric Cast Steel Trimount Bogie (Old),
Advance Trimount High Speed (ATHS) fabricated bogie (New)
Wheel diameter1,092 mm (3 ft 7.0 in)
Pivot centres10,516 mm (34 ft 6 in)
Wheel spacing
(Asymmetrical)		1,702 mm (5 ft 7 in)
2,108 mm (6 ft 11 in)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers17,132 mm (56 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
 • Over beams15,862 mm (52 ft 1⁄2 in)
Width2,900 mm (9 ft 6+1⁄8 in)
Height4,185 mm (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in)
Axle load18.8 t (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons)
Loco weight112.8 t (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal)
Lubricant cap.1,270 L (280 imp gal; 340 US gal)
Coolant cap.1,210 L (270 imp gal; 320 US gal)
Sandbox cap.160 L (35 imp gal; 42 US gal)
Prime moverAlco 251-B (BLW Uprated)
RPM range400–1050 rpm
Engine typeV16 Four-stroke diesel engine
AspirationABB VTC304-VG15 OR Napier NA-295IR OR GE 7S1716 Turbo-supercharged
Displacement175.14 L (38.53 imp gal; 46.27 US gal)
AlternatorBHEL TA10102CW
GeneratorBHEL AG2702AZ (Old), BHEL AG3101AY-1 (New)
Traction motorsBHEL TM4906AZ or BHEL TM4907BZ
 • Rating 1 hour1060 amps
 • Continuous1000 amps
Cylinders16
Cylinder size228.6 mm × 266.7 mm (9.00 in × 10.50 in)
bore x stroke
TransmissionDiesel–electric AC-DC Transmission
Gear ratio18:65
MU working2
Loco brakeAir Brake, Dynamic Brake, Hand Brake
Train brakesAir Brake
Compressor2,266 L/min (@ 400 rpm), 5,665 L/min (@ 1000 rpm)
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Power outputMax: 3100 HP/ 3300 HP (Rebuilt)
Site rated: 2900 HP/ 3007 HP
Tractive effort30.45 tf (298.6 kN) @ 27% adhesion
Factor of adh.2.6
Brakeforce22 tf (220 kN)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways Bangladesh Railway
Numbers13xxx, 14001-14057, 14058-14143, 16000-, few in 18xxx series and 17xxx series
NicknamesCheetah, Prabal, Velociti, Awadh, Firex, Sher Punjab, Veer
Preserved1
Dispositionactive

The WDM-3A is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways serving both passenger and freight trains for over 26 years. A few WDM-3A units were exported to neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Despite the introduction of more modern types of locomotives like WDG-4 and electrification, a significant number are still in use, both in mainline and departmental duties. As of April 2022, 769 locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WDM-3A, with further examples having been converted back to WDM-2 or WDM-2S. The loco is now widely used across India for long-distance passenger trains due to its ruggedness and high tractive loads and acceleration.

History
WDM-3A with Padatik Express
A WDM-3A loco from Gooty Loco Shed hauling an Express train
Baldie
WDM 3A in Ghaziabad Junction.

The first one was delivered on August 22, 1994, it was then WDM-2C.[1][2] First 57 units produced till March 1996 (Indian Railway road number 14001–14057) had rounded front hood profile similar to contemporary newer classes of locos built by DLW (WDG3A and WDP1).

After that there was a gap of long four years in the WDM-3A production line in BLW. These units have been retro-fitted with dual brakes, in addition to the air and vacuum brakes. The WDM-3A locos have a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). The gear ratio is 65:18.[3] These new locomotives had their control stand shifted to the left side of the cabin. Meanwhile, Diesel Loco Modernization Works (erstwhile Diesel Modification Works which again was known as Diesel Component Works) in Patiala started rebuilding the existing WDM-2 locomotives, which had reached midlife, with upgraded power-packs. DLMW Patiala re-calibrates the power-pack and upgrades the output power rating to 3100HP.[4] DLW again started building WDM-3A from the year 2000 and continued till the end of 2002 with locomotive road numbers in the range 14058–14143. All the locomotives rebuilt by DLMW and later batch from DLW had regular WDM-2 type square short hood profile and control stand position. DLW again built WDM-3A variant locomotives, during 2005–2006, in the road number range 14144-14167 which were classified as WDM-3B due to their difference in bogie design from classic ALCo asymmetrical trimount to HAHS design which was employed in WDG2 and later WDM-3D classes too. Most of the WDM-B were later converted to WDM-3D.

In 2011, DLMW rebuilt locomotive number 16502 as WDM-3A and equipped it with an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system jointly developed by Engine Research Laboratory of IIT Kanpur, Engine Development Directorate of RDSO, and DLMW Patiala.[5] DLMW continues to rebuild WDM-2 as WDM-3A and recently they have started rebuilding the DLW built WDM-3A too when they reach their midlife. Recent rebuilt locomotives are rated at 3300 HP, and from 2009 onward they are equipped with Daulat Ram DBR, and since 2014 they are also equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) in the short hood.[6] Some rebuilt locomotives have Co-Co-fabricated ATHS (Advanced Trimount High Speed) bogies instead of ALCo cast-iron type.[7] All the rebuilt WDM-3A bear the "-R" suffix to their road numbers.

In 2012 Bangladesh Railway ordered 26 WDM-3A from DLW. They are classified as Class 6500 there. These units, however, lack the dynamic braking which happens to be an essential component in their Indian counterparts.

Bangladeshi Counterpart of WDM-3A

Sub-classes

WDM-3C

The WDM-3C were just upgraded and more powerful WDM-3As with the ALCO engine gain rebuilt to output 3300 hp. It was the first follow-up experiment after the WDM-3A to squeeze more power out of the ALCO engine, an intermediary that would later lead to the development of the WDM-3D. Not many were produced, all of which were rebuilds of the WDM-2 or WDM-3A and were identical to the previous variants in every aspect. They can no longer be found over the railway network as all of them have been rebuilt into the WDM-3A or WDM-2 type.[8]

Locomotive sheds
ZoneNameShed codeQuantity
Central RailwayPunePA2
KurlaCLA1
Eastern RailwayHowrahHWH25
JamalpurJMP37
East Central RailwayPatratuPTRU8
Pt. Deendayal UpadhyayaDDU5
Northern RailwayTughlakabadTKD24
LudhianaLDH70
LucknowLKO16
North Eastern RailwayIzzatnagarIZN49
Northeast Frontier RailwayMalda TownMLDT21
GuwahatiNGC19
North Western RailwayAbu RoadABR46
Southern RailwayErnakulamERS19
Golden RockGOC10
TondiarpetTNP12
South Central RailwayGuntakalGTL10
Moula AliMLY22
South Eastern RailwayBondamundaBNDM20
South East Central RailwayRaipurR5
South Western Railway KrishnarajapuramKJM17
Western RailwayRatlamRTM2
VatvaVTA4
SabarmatiSBI13
West Central RailwayItarsiET11
New Katni JunctionNKJ1
Total locomotives active as of October 2023[9][10]439

Technical specifications

Technical details are as follows:[11][12]

Manufacturers DLW, DLMW (DMW/DCW)
Engine Alco 251-C, 16 cylinder, 3,300 hp (2,500 kW), earlier 3,100 hp (2,300 kW) (3,007 hp or 2,242 kW site rating, earlier 2,900 hp (2,200 kW)) with Napier NA2951R/ ABB VTC-304-VG15/ GE 7s 1716 turbo supercharged engine. 1,050 rpm max, 400 rpm idle; 228.6 mm × 266.7 mm (9.00 in × 10.50 in) bore x stroke; compression ratio 12.5:1. Direct fuel injection, centrifugal pump cooling system (2,457 L/min (540 imp gal/min; 649 US gal/min) at 1,050 rpm), fan driven by eddy current clutch (90 hp or 67 kW at 1,050 rpm)
Governor EDC / Woodward 8574-650
Transmission Electric, with BHEL TA 10102 CW alternator (1,050 rpm, 1100 V, 4,400 amperes) (Earlier used BHEL TG 10931 AZ alternator)
Traction motors BHEL TM 4906 AZ/ 4907 BZ (435 hp or 324 kW) (with roller bearings)
Axle load 18.8 tonnes (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons), total weight 112.8 t (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons)
Bogies Alco design cast frame asymmetric trimount (Co-Co) bogies
Starting TE 30.45 t (29.97 long tons; 33.57 short tons) at adhesion 27%, continuous 28.05 t (27.61 long tons; 30.92 short tons)
Length over buffer beams 15,862 mm (52 ft 1⁄2 in)
Distance between bogies 10,516 mm (34 ft 6 in)

See also

References
  1. "IR History: Part - V (1970–1995)". Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  2. Agarwal, Avinash Kumal; Dhar, Atul; Gautam, Anirudh; Pandey, Ashok, eds. (2017). Locomotives and Rail Road Transportation - Technology, Challenges and Prospects. Springer. p. 16. ISBN 978-981-10-3787-0. LCCN 2017930134 – via Google Books.
  3. "About WDM-3A". Indian Railways Fan Club.
  4. (PDF). Indian Railways http://www.dmw.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Company%20Profile.pdf. Retrieved 2 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Direction Article Development of EFI for 204-stroke locomotive diesel engine" (PDF). iitk.ac.in. Indian Railways. 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. "Company Profile" (PDF). indianrailways.gov.in. Indian Railways. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  7. "Motive Power" (PDF). indianrailways.gov.in. RDSO. 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  8. "Diesel Loco Roaster WDM (ALCO) series". 30 October 2013.
  9. "Railway Website Mechanical Department". Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  10. https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/freight/2021/Diesel%20loco%20availability%20targets%20for%20June%202021.pdf
  11. "Diesel Locomotive Classes – Broad Gauge". Indian Railways Fan Club.
  12. "Diagram Book of WDM2C Locomotive" (PDF). RDSO.
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