Indian locomotive class WL (1955)

The Indian locomotive class WL of 1955 was a class of light axle load 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives used on broad gauge lines in India between 1955 and 1995.[2] A total of 109 of them were built in two batches.[3][4]

Indian WL (1955)
WL 15084 at Amritsar Jn, 1993.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder
Build date1955, 1966–1969
Total produced104
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-2
 • UIC2′C1′ h2
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 7 in (1.702 m)
Axle load16.9 long tons (17.2 t; 18.9 short tons)
Loco weight88.1 long tons (89.5 t; 98.7 short tons)
Tender weight62.59 long tons (63.59 t; 70.10 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity12 long tons (12 t; 13 short tons)
Water cap4,500 imp gal (20,000 l; 5,400 US gal)
Boiler pressure210 psi (1.45 MPa)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size19 1⁄4 in × 28 in (489 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort27,640 lbf (122.95 kN)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Number in class104
Numbers
  • 15000–15009
  • 15014–15107
DispositionNo. 15005 preserved
[1]

The first batch, of 10 engines, was built by Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, in 1955. The second, main, batch, totalling 94 engines, was built in India by the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works between 1966 and 1969.[4]

The WL class of 1955 is not to be confused with the WL class of 1939, all of which went to Pakistan upon partition in 1947.[1][5] The two classes bore no resemblance to each other according to Vulcan.[1]

See also

References

Notes
  1. "Indian Railways 5 ft. 6 in. Gauge 1955 4-6-2 (WL) brochure" (PDF). Vulcan Foundry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  2. Marshall 2009, pp. 90-93.
  3. Marshall 2009, p. 93.
  4. Hughes 1976, p. 27.
  5. Hughes 1990, pp. 78, 84.

Bibliography
  • Hughes, Hugh (1976). Steam in India. Truro, Cornwall: D. Bradford Barton Ltd. ISBN 0851532586.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1990). Indian Locomotives: Part 1 – Broad Gauge 1851–1940. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9503469-8-5.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives: Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: The Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 0-9521655-1-1.
  • Marshall, Lawrence G (2009). Indian Broad Gauge Steam Remembered. East Harling, Norfolk: Taverner Publications. ISBN 9781901470154.

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