Indian locomotive class WCM-4

The Indian locomotive class WCM-4 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in 1956 by Vulcan Foundry and English Electric for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Direct Current (C), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in 1961. A total of 7 WCM-4 locomotives was built at England between 1956 and 1957.

Indian locomotive class WCM-4
A WCM-4 at Bombay Victoria Electric loco trip Shed
Type and origin Power type Electric Designer Hitachi Builder Hitachi Order number 59/459/1/RS(F) Model EM4 Build date 18 April 1959 Total produced 7
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co′Co′  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Bogies 3 Axle fabricated frame, Swing bolster with Equalizer beams Wheel diameter New:1,220 mm (4 ft 0 in), Half worn:1,182 mm (3 ft 10 ^1⁄2 in) and Full worn:1,144 mm (3 ft 9 in) Wheelbase 2,380 mm (7 ft 10 in) Length: ​  • Over couplers 20.000 m (65 ft 7 ^3⁄8 in)  • Body 18.680 m (61 ft 3 ^7⁄16 in) Width 3.050 m (10 ft ^1⁄16 in) Height 4.282 m (14 ft ^9⁄16 in) Frame type 3 Axle fabricated frame Axle load 20.83 tonnes (20.50 long tons; 22.96 short tons) Loco weight 125.00 tonnes (123.03 long tons; 137.79 short tons) Sandbox cap. 16 sandboxes each Power supply 110 V DC Electric system/s 1.5 kV DC Overhead Current pickup(s) pantograph Traction motors HS-373-BR  • Rating 1 hour 765A  • Continuous 620A Gear ratio 16:73 MU working Not possible Loco brake Air/Hand, Regenerative braking Train brakes Vacuum Compressor 7kg/cm² Safety systems Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures Maximum speed 120.5 km/h (75 mph) Power output: ​  • Starting Max:4,000 hp (2,980 kW)  • 1 hour Max:4,000 hp (2,980 kW)  • Continuous Max:3,290 hp (2,450 kW) Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 31,250 kgf (310 kN)  • 1 hour 25,300 kgf (250 kN)  • Continuous 18,700 kgf (180 kN) Factor of adh. 0.25
Career Operators Indian Railways Class EM/4 Numbers 20076-20082 Locale Central Railways Delivered 1960 First run 1961 Last run January 2000 Retired Early 2000s Withdrawn Early 2000s Preserved none Disposition All have been scrapped.

The WCM-4 served both passenger and freight trains for over 39 years. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV AC electrification, all were withdrawn in early 2000s after repeated failures. Today Sadly all locomotives have been Scrapped.

History

Indian Railways decided to procure 7 locomotives from Hitachi. They are manufactured in Japan and shipped to India in 1957. These locomotives had now common Co-Co wheel arrangement.[1] Initially the WCM-4 class were known as EM/4 class.[2] They were easily recognizable with their larger size and normal light enclosures for the marker lights and the tail lamps (just above the buffers). They had their cab doors placed near the cab unlike the WCM-1 class. The WCM-4 is a more powerful and larger version of the WCM-3 class. They were intended for hauling superfast train in Central Railway CR. But after sometime they were relegated to freight duties only.

They began their CR zone service in 1961.The WCM-3 locomotives were used on many Express trains but had some problems and were relegated to hauling low speed passenger trains, shunting and freight duties only. In mid 1990s Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotive from services and all units were scrapped with non preserved.

Former sheds

• Pune
• Kalyan (KYN)
• All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

See also

• History of rail transport in India
• Indian Railways
• Locomotives of India
• Rail transport in India

References

1. "Refer pg 260" (PDF).
2. Gudgin, D.S.E. (1976). Vulcan Foundry Locomotives 1832–1956. Truro: Bradford Barton. ISBN 978-0-85153-215-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links

• http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WCM-4
• India railway fan club