ModestoMolino5 at 09:34, 28 March 2026

2026-03-28T09:34:32Z

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{{Short description|Indian Railway freight class electric locomotive}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}
{{Original research|date=August 2025}}
}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = WAG-5
| powertype = Electric
| image = WAG-5HA AJJ.jpg
| caption = Arakkonam based WAG-5HA twins hauling freight train near Thiruvallur.
| gauge = {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}
| bogies = [[American Locomotive Company|ALCO]] Asymmetric cast frame trimount
| wheeldiameter = {{ubl|New: {{convert|1092|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}|Half worn: {{convert|1055|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=2}}|Full worn: {{convert|1016|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} }}
| builder = [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works|Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW)]], <br/> [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)]].
| builddate = {{ubl|Original: 1978–1998|WAG-5A: 1983–1988|WAG-5B: 1978–1983}}
| totalproduction = 1,196
| length = {{convert|17.162|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| width = {{convert|3.055|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| height = {{convert|1.997|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| uicclass = Co′Co′
| axleload = {{convert|20|t}}
| tractiveeffort =
| t/e starting = {{convert|37500|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}
| t/e 1 hr =
| t/e continuous = {{convert|33600|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion = 0.29
| locobrakes = [[Railway air brake|Air]]/[[Railroad hand brake|Hand]]
| trainbrakes = Air, Dual and [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]
| safety = Slip control, Main overload relay, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Earth fault relay, Low pressure governor, Train parting alarms, Vigilance Control Device (VCD) and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
| electricsystem = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[Overhead line|Overhead]]
| collectionmethod = [[pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]]
| multipleworking = 4
| maxspeed = {{convert|105|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}<br>
{{convert|100|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}<br>{{convert|80|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = Continuous:
{{convert|3850|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{convert|119|t}}
| tractionmotors = [[Alstom]] TAO 659/[[Hitachi]] HS15250A
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| fleetnumbers = '''21100–21153''', '''23000–23999''', '''24000–24075''', '''24401-24466'''
| nicknames = '''Krishnaveni, Navdoot, Minkalan, Pasumai, Priyadarshini, Basanti, Srilata, Nouvion, Gurudev, Chetak, Nasbandhi, Janmashati, Ajay, Kirtimaan, Cheetah'''{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}
| locale = All over [[India]]
| disposition = Active
}}

The '''Indian locomotive class WAG-5''' is a class of 25 [[Volt|kV]] [[Alternating current|AC]] [[electric locomotive]]s that was developed in 1978 by [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works]] for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge]] ('''W'''), alternating current ('''A'''), goods traffic ('''G''') engine, 5th generation ('''5'''). They entered service in 1980. A total of 1,196 WAG-5 were built at CLW and [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]] between 1978 and 1998, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric locomotive until the introduction of its successor, the [[Indian locomotive class WAG-7|WAG-7.]]

The WAG-5 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways currently serving both freight and passenger trains for over 43 years. This class provided the basic design for a number of other locomotives, like WAG-7 and the [[Indian locomotive class WCM-6|WCM-6]]. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like [[Indian locomotive class WAG-9|WAG-9]] and [[Indian locomotive class WAG-12|WAG-12]], the WAG-5 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller passenger trains and now the aging fleet of WAG-5 locomotives is rapidly being withdrawn from mainline duties and scrapped.

== Subclasses and modifications ==
The WAG-5A and WAG-5H(x) variants are fitted with Alstom and Hitachi traction motors respectively,<ref>[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WAG-5 Indian locomotive specifications]</ref> whereas the WAG-5B are units converted from the [[Indian locomotive class WAM-4|WAM-4]], and the WAG-5P(x) is a subclass specialised for passenger duties. The WAG-5(x)D and WAG-5(x)E are respectively fitted with dual and air brakes. WAG-5RH and WAG-5HR are fitted with rheostatic or friction braking. Another variant is WAG-5HG.{{Explain|date=August 2025}} The units with additional '6P' markings have parallel grouped traction motors. BHEL-built units are classified as WAG-5HB. Some units are fitted with Static Converter (STC), Microprocessor, Dynamic brake resistors (DBR) and SI unit.

Due to the advent of the WAG-7 and WAG-9 locomotives, the WAG-5s, except WAG-5HA/HB variants, occasionally hauled passenger trains despite being designed for freight haulage. WAG-5HB{{Clarify|date=August 2025|reason=A single locomotive or multiple members of that subclass?}} is homed at Jhansi shed near BHEL's installations for maintenance purposes. WAG-5 has a shell of the WAM-4. Units numbered until 23293 have side louvre and round glass windows like the WAM-4, and units after 23293 have louvres similar to those fitted to the WAG-7 for better ventilation. Recently,{{When|date=August 2025}} WAG-5 have been fitted with data loggers.

Due to the decline of tap changer control suppliers, unit 23026 was selected by [[Research Design and Standards Organization|RDSO]] for the adoption of thyristor controlled electricals in 1995. The project began in 1992, with the new prototype system, built in collaboration with the [[Bhabha Atomic Research Centre]], was fitted in the locomotive between 1997 and 1998. Due to several problems such as interference with signalling equipment, the project was ceased in 1999, and the engine was rebuilt to original WAG-5 and designated as WAG-5P.
[[File:WAG-5inammugudabyepassline.jpg|thumb|WAG-5 idling at the Ammuguda Bye pass line]]

==Technical specification==
{|class=wikitable
|-
|Traction Motors
|Alstom TAO 659 (575 kW, 750 V, 1070 rpm) or TAO 656; or Hitachi HS 15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended. Six motors.
|-
|Gear Ratio
|62:16 or 62:15 with Alstom motors, some 64:18 (Hitachi motors), many now 58:21 for mixed use. There are also 17:77
|-
|Transformer
|BHEL, type HETT-3900. 3900 kVA, 22.5 kV, 182 A. 32 taps, 11730 kg, Forced oil cooling, 'A' Insulation.
|-
|Rectifiers
|Silicon rectifiers (two) using 64 S-18FN-350 diodes each from Hind Rectifier. 2700 A / 1050 V per cubicle. 64 cells per bridge. Starting current at 3300 A. Motor (380 V, 970-1460 RPM)
|-
|Max Haulage capacity
|2375 t (WAG-5 original)
|-
|Pantographs
|Two [[Faiveley Transport|Faiveley]] AM-12 of 285 kg with four insulators
|-
|Current Ratings
|1100 A / 10 min, 750 A continuous
|-
|Sandboxes
|8
|-
|Auxiliaries
|2 Head lights (32 V, 250 W), Lead-acid Battery (50 cells, 110 V)
|-
|3 Elgi Compressors
|3 motors (12.5 hp, 380 V)
|-
|2 SF India Ltd. Traction Motor blowers
|MLBR-42.51-1-H4 type, 2 Siemens Motors (22 kW, 380 V, 41 A, 3000 rpm)
|-
|2 SF India Ltd. Smoothing reactor blower
|2 motors(3 hp, 380V, 2860rpm)
|-
|[[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]] Breaking resistor blower
|Dy-3423M type, Moto r(532 kW, 70 hp, 325 V, 175 A, 3500 rpm)
|-
|2 SF India Ltd. Silicon rectifier blower
|Axial type
|-
|SF India Ltd. Oil cooler blower
|MLBH-60-1-H2 type, 22.2 m/hr, Motor (30 hp, 380 V, 6.6 A, 2865 rpm)
|-
|2 Smoothing reactors
|SL42 type, 1250 V, 950 A, 0.00718 ohms at 110 °C
|-
|BEST & Co. Pvt. Ltd. Oil pump for transformer
|Motor (3.3 kW, 380 V, 6.6 A, 2865 rpm)
|}

==Locomotive sheds==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Zone
! rowspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Name
! rowspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Shed Code
! colspan="2" style="background:skyBlue;"|Quantity
|-
! style="background:skyBlue;"|WAG-5
! style="background:skyBlue;"|WAG-5H
|-
| [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]] ||[[Electric Loco Shed, Bhusawal|Bhusawal]] || BSLL
|53
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]] || [[Bardhaman railway station|Bardhaman]]|| BWNX
|1
|24
|-
|[[Jamalpur railway station|Jamalpur]]
|JMPD
|16
|1
|-
| [[east Coast Railway zone|East Coast Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Visakhapatnam|Visakhapatnam]] || WATE
|13
|
|-
| [[North Central Railway zone|North Central Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Jhansi|Jhansi]] || JHSE
|
|86
|-
|[[North Eastern Railway zone|North Eastern Railway]]
|[[Gonda Junction railway station|Gonda]]
|GDDE
|31
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Northern Railway zone|Northern Railway]]
|| [[Electric Loco Shed, Ghaziabad|Ghaziabad]]
| GZBE
|1
|
|-
| [[Lucknow Charbagh railway station|Lucknow]]
| AMVD
|18
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Arakkonam|Arakkonam]] ||AJJE
|
|7
|-
|| [[Diesel Loco Shed, Ernakulam|Ernakulam]] || ERSX
|12
|6
|-
| [[Diesel Loco Shed, Erode|Erode]]||EDDX
|
|50
|-
| [[South Central Railway zone|South Central Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Vijayawada|Vijayawada]] || BZAE
|35
|
|-
| [[South Eastern Railway zone|South Eastern Railway]] || [[Bondamunda railway station|Bondamunda]] || BNDL
|
|2
|-
| [[Western Railway zone|Western Railway]] ||[[Diesel Loco Shed, Ratlam|Ratlam]] || RTMD
|
|75
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[West Central Railway zone|West Central Railway]] || [[Diesel Loco Shed, Itarsi|Itarsi]]|| ETD
|54
|60
|-
|[[Diesel Loco Shed, Katni|New Katni Jn.]]|| NKJD
|
|54
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Total Locomotives Active as of April 2026'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=e-Locos|url=http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Holding/holding.html}}</ref>
| 234
| 365
|}


==See also==
*[[Locomotives of India]]
*[[Rail transport in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WAG5}}
*http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WAG-5
*[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2e.html#loco Electric locomotives in India]
*[http://www.irfca.org India railway fan club]

{{Broad gauge locomotives of India |state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:WAG-5}}
[[Category:Electric locomotives of India]]
[[Category:25 kV AC locomotives]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1978]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:BHEL locomotives]]
[[Category:Chittaranjan Locomotive Works locomotives]]
[[Category:Freight locomotives]]

Indian locomotive class WAG-5 - Revision history

ModestoMolino5 at 09:34, 28 March 2026