Ajendra69 at 03:59, 25 May 2022

2022-05-25T03:59:58Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = WAM-4
| image = AJJ WAM4.jpg
| caption = AJJ WAM-4 hauling an express train
| alt = The WAM-4 was Indian Railways workhorse for over 50 years
| powertype = Electric
| designer = [[Research Design and Standards Organisation|RDSO]]
| builder = [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works|CLW]]
| ordernumber =
| serialnumber =
| buildmodel =
| builddate = 1970–1983
| totalproduction = *WAM-4: 500
*WAG-5: 53
| rebuilder = [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works|CLW]]
| rebuilddate = 1978–1983 to WAG-5
| numberrebuilt = 53
| website =
| aarwheels = C-C
| uicclass = Co′Co′
| Britishclass = [[Co+Co]]
| gauge = {{Track gauge|66in|lk=on}}
| bogies = ALCO Asymmetric cast frame trimount
| wheeldiameter = New: {{convert|1092|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<br>Half worn: {{convert|1055|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=2}}<br>Full worn: {{convert|1016|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2108|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| length =
| over couplers = {{convert|19975|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| body = {{convert|18680|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|3055|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|4162|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| frametype = Asymmetric cast frame
| axleload = {{convert|18.8|t}}
| locoweight = {{convert|112.8|t}}
| sandcap = '''16 units''' X {{convert|30|t|abbr=on}}
| powersupply = 110 V DC Supply
| electricsystem = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} [[Overhead line|Overhead]]
| collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]]
| alternator =
| generator = HEIL BOT 3460 A
| tractionmotors = Alstom TAO 659A1
| t/m amps 1 hr = 770 HP. 750 V, 840 A, 1095 RPM
| t/m amps cont = 798 HP. 750 V, 870 A, 1070 RPM
| headendpower = 110 V DC Supply
| transmission = Electrical
| gear ratio = 15:62
| multipleworking = 4 units
| locobrakes = [[Railway air brake|Air]], [[Rheostatic braking]]
| trainbrakes = [[Railway air brake|Air]], [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]] and [[Vacuum brake#Dual brakes|Dual]]
| safety = Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Earth fault relay, Low pressure governor, Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
| maxspeed = {{convert|120|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = {{convert|3640|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput start=
| poweroutput 1 hr=
| poweroutput cont=
| tractiveeffort =
| t/e starting = {{convert|33840|kgf|kN lbf|abbr=on}}
| t/e 1 hr = {{convert|30000|kgf|kN lbf|abbr=on}}
| t/e continuous = {{convert|17600|kgf|kN lbf|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion =
| f/adh starting =
| f/adh 1 hr =
| f/adh continuous=
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| operatorclass = WAM-4
| powerclass =
| numinclass =
| fleetnumbers = *WAM-4B: '''20400–20699''', '''21200–21399'''
*WAG-5: '''21100-21138'''
| officialname =
| nicknames = '''Ananth, RAJATABHA, Surubhi, Navchetna, Sukh Sagar, Naveen'''
| locale = All over India
| deliverydate = 4 December 1970
| firstrundate = {{Start date and age|1971|3|df=y}}
| retiredate =
| withdrawndate =
| preservedunits = 6 units
| restoredate =
| scrapdate =
| currentowner =
| disposition = A few units still in inferior service, rest scrapped
| notes =
}}
The Indian locomotive class '''WAM-4''' is a class of 25 [[Volt|kV]] [[Alternating current|AC]] [[electric locomotive]]s that was developed in 1970 by [[Chittaranjan Locomotive Works]] for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge (W)]], alternating current (A), mixed traffic (M) engine, 4th generation (4). They entered service in March 1971. A total of 500 WAM-4 were built at CLW between 1970 and 1983, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric locomotive till its successor the [[Indian locomotive class WAG-5|WAG-5.]]

The WAM-4 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways having served both passenger and freight trains for over 51 years. This class provided the basic design for a number of other locomotives like [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-1|WCAM-1]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-5|WAG-5A]], [[Indian locomotive class WCG-2|WCG-2]], and some [[Indian locomotive class WAP-1|WAP-1]] models. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like [[Indian locomotive class WAP-5|WAP-5]] and [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP-7]], the WAM-4 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller passenger trains and now the aging fleet of WAM-4 locomotives are being rapidly scrapped and have been fully withdrawn from mainline duties.

== History ==
=== Origins ===
In the 1970s, the Indian Railways started a series of study projects for a high horsepower locomotive. Although the [[Indian locomotive class WAG-1|WAG-1]]/[[Indian locomotive class WAG-4|WAG-4]] was being introduced, officials believed that a much larger and more capable locomotive was needed, especially to haul Freight trains that was heavy for any existing locomotives. These studies led to initial requirements for an locomotive with a tractive effort of {{convert|33840|kgf|kN lbf|abbr=on}} and a speed of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.The WAM-4 was conceived while goods traffic was increasing in the 1970s. The era of [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] locomotives, led by the enormous popularity of the [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2|WDM-2]], had revolutionized long-distance travel. With the aim of addressing the shortcomings of the previous [[Indian locomotive class WAM-1|WAM-1]]/[[Indian locomotive class WAM-2/3|2]] and [[Indian locomotive class WAG-1|WAG-1]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-2|WAG-2]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-3|WAG-3]], [[Indian locomotive class WAG-4|WAG-4]] classes and remove [[steam locomotive]]s from IR by a target date of 1990. The WAM-1s were not great successes as some of their advanced features were unsuitable for Indian conditions.

so the designers at [[Research Design and Standards Organisation|RDSO]] and CLW decided to use the following

* Instead of the Bo-Bo bogies of WAM-1/2, ALCO asymmetric Trimount bogies of the [[Indian locomotive class WDM-2|WDM-2]] were provided for better traction and power.
* Silicon rectifiers with speed control by three series-parallel motor combinations and weak field operation.
* Auxiliaries from Westinghouse and Kirloskar (compressors), S F India (blowers) and Northey (exhauster)
* Air brakes for loco and vacuum train brakes fitted as original equipment with [[Rheostatic braking]] also provided
* MU operation made possible up to 4 units possible.

=== Production ===
Production of these locomotives started in 1970 with #20400 and exactly 500 WAM-4s were built in 13 years with #21399 “Anant” being the last one. Production ended on August 3 1983. WAM-4 though an indigenously produced loco was heavily inspired by French box design and naturally favoured a French TM which was the Alstom made TAO TM. A single WAM-4 can generally haul up to a 24-coach passenger rake. This class proved so successful by virtue of its ruggedness suitable for Indian conditions and simplicity of maintenance. In January 2020, the last WAM-4 units (four from Tata ELS) were withdrawn from mainline service.<ref>[http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Holding/Holding_01_20.pdf]{{dead link|date=February 2021}}</ref><ref>[http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Holding/Holding_02_20.pdf]{{dead link|date=February 2021}}</ref> Currently 8 locomotives are currently doing shunting and departmental works.

=== Rebuilding ===
A number of locomotives were rebuilt as WAM-4B in the late 1970s to evaluate Alstom TAO 659 Traction Motors and for exclusive use on freight duties. These 'locos' were ballasted to improve traction and had excellent load-hauling capabilities, This experiment gave rise to the future [[Indian locomotive class WAG-5|WAG-5]] locos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WAG-5|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Diesel and Electric Locomotive Specifications|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
=== Duties ===
The class was designed for both passenger and freight work. Many of the original locomotives were fitted with vacuum brakes only. With the withdrawal of many WAG-1 and WAM-1 locomotives in the 1990s, the WAM-4 units were given air brakes to prolong their life into the 1990s and beyond.
=== Sub-classes ===
This loco class has been seen in many variations, as a lot of workshops and sheds have carried out their own enhancements or modifications to the basic loco design. Although the code indicates a mixed-use loco, most WAM-4's ended up hauling passenger trains.

Variants include

* '''WAM4B or G:''' Freight only (re geared version)
* '''WAM4D''' or '''DB:''' Dual Braked (Air and Vacuum)
* '''WAM4E:''' Air Brake only (for both loco and train)
* '''WAM4H:''' Hitachi Traction Motors instead of Alstom
* '''WAM4P:''' Passenger only (re geared version)
* '''WAM4/2S3P:''' 2 Traction Motors in Series, 3 in Parallel
* '''WAM4/6P:''' 6 traction motors permanently in parallel
* '''WAM4/6PE:''' Air braked, 6 Traction Motors perm. in parallel
* '''WAM4/6PDBHS:''' 6 Traction Motors permanently in parallel, Dual Brakes, High Speed
* '''WAM-4P D:''' Passenger only (dual brakes)
*'''WAM-4P DB 6P''' and '''WAM-4 6P D:''' These are for superfast trains
*'''WAM-4P DB 3P and WAM-4 2S-3P:''' some superfasts, passengers

The 'DB' or 'D' generally, but perhaps not always, indicates dual-brake capability. 'HS' may be for 'high speed'.'2S', '3P', '6P', etc. indicate traction motors connected in series or parallel. The WAM-4 has six traction motors, and originally they were wired to be available in different configurations at different power settings. At notches up to 14, all motors were in series (at notch 14 all resistors dropping out); up to notch 21 in series-parallel combinations (three pairs of motors in series, the pairs themselves being in parallel); and further notches with all motors in parallel (at notch 30 all motors are in parallel with resistors dropping out). This is the original configuration of the WCAM-1 series of locomotives too.

The WAM-4 locomotives were later reconfigured to have all motors always in parallel (6P variants) or with the three series-connected pairs in parallel (2S 3P variants). Some WAM-4 locomotives from CLW are thought to have had the 2S 3P configuration right from the start. The 2S 3P configuration was better for the mixed traffic loads especially as it allowed the locomotives to start hauling larger loads without stalling. With increasing use of the WAM-4 locomotives for passenger traffic the all-parallel configuration was deemed more desirable since it allowed higher speeds and higher acceleration.

== Livery ==
This loco has the widest variety of liveries, with each loco shed having its own livery

Most of the WAM-4 locomotives now have their MU capability disabled as [[Research Design and Standards Organization|RDSO]] disapproves of these locomotives running MU'd over 100 km/h.
<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2e.html|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives -- Specific classes : AC Electric|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>

== Named locomotives ==
A few WAM-4 locomotives have been named by Indian Railways<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/list?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster List|website=www.irfca.org|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+List of Named locomotives
!Class
!Loco Number
!Name
!Loco Shed
!Current status
!ref
|-
|WAM-4
|20401
|Rajatabha
|Bhillai [BIA]
|Condemned [07/08/2007]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4489?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Bhilai (BIA) WAM-4 20401 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|20420
|Sukh Sagar Naveen
|Vijayawada [BZA]
|Scrapped
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4508?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Vijayawada (BZA) WAM-4 20420 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|20615
|Surubhi
|Asansol [ASN]
|Condemned in November 2011
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4703?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Asansol (ASN) WAM-4 20615 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|21320
|Garuda
|Arakkonam [AJJ]
|Plinthed at Rail Soudha, SWR HQ, Hubli [January 2020]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4908?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Arakkonam (AJJ) WAM-4 21320 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|21380
|Navchetna
|Asansol [ASN]
|In Inferior service
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4968?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Asansol (ASN) WAM-4 21380 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|21399
|Anant
|Bhusawal [BSL]
|The last WAM-4 ever built. No longer in holdings - assumed withdrawn/scrapped [January 2019]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4987?list_type=named&page=10|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Bhusawal (BSL) WAM-4 21399 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|}

==Preserved Examples==
As increasing numbers of WAM-4 have been retired, some have found their way into museums or other uses.
A few WAM-4 locomotives have been preserved by Indian Railways at various location around India<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,366,1706|title=Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)|website=www.indianrailways.gov.in|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L7PMD3GYsSQibjrOjIk9dpekeDi7Gp9u|title=Heritage Inventory for Website - Google Drive|website=drive.google.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Class
!Loco Number
!Previous shed
!Name
!LIvery
!Location
!ref
|-
|WAM-4
|20400
| <abbr>BIA</abbr>
|
|BIA cream/orange with blue stripe
|Used at Electric Loco Training Center, Uslapur [October 2011]. Reumbered ELTC-120
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4488?list_type=preserved&page=2|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Bhilai (BIA) WAM-4 20400 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|20472
|Ghaziabad (GZB)
|
|
|Restricted to shunting/departmental duties only. Earmarked for preservation: I.R. Heritage Website [November 2018]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4560?list_type=preserved&page=2|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Ghaziabad (GZB) WAM-4 20472 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|20484
|Bhusawal (BSL)
|
|BSL cream/orange with orange lining
|Loco now preserved at CLW loco park
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4572?list_type=preserved&page=2|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Bhusawal (BSL) WAM-4 20484 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/gallery/Heritage/wam4.jpg.html|title=wam4|website=www.irfca.org|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|20601
|Jhansi (JHS)
|
|Maroon with cream band
|Earmarked for preservation: I.R. Heritage Website [November 2018]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4689?list_type=preserved&page=2 |title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Jhansi (JHS) WAM-4 20601 Show |publisher=Irfca.org |date= |accessdate=2021-02-24}}</ref>
|-
|WAM-4
|21320
|Arakkonam (AJJ)
|Garuda
|Red/dark grey/light grey with white line
|Plinthed at Rail Soudha, SWR HQ, Hubli [January 2020]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/4908?list_type=preserved&page=2|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Arakkonam (AJJ) WAM-4 21320 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|-
|WAG-5/WAM-4B
|21101
|Tatanagar (TATA)
|
|Brown/Black with Yellow stripe
|Plinthed outside TATA
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/locos/show/8152?list_type=preserved&page=2|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Tatanagar (TATA) WAG-5 21101 Show|website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>
|}

==Locomotive sheds==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Zone !! Name !! Shed Code !! Quantity
|-
| [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]] || [[Sealdah railway station|Sealdah]] || SLSD || 3
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Northern Railway zone|Northern Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Ghaziabad|Ghaziabad]] || GZB || 1
|-
| [[Electric Loco Shed, Ludhiana|Ludhiana]] || LDH || 1
|-
| [[North Central Railway zone|North Central Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Kanpur|Kanpur]] || CNB || 3
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Total Locomotives Active as of 01-05-2022'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=e-Locos|url=http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Holding/holding.html}}</ref> || 8
|}


== Former sheds ==
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Vadodara|Vadodara]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Visakhapatnam|Visakhapatnam]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Itarsi|Itarsi]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Arakkonam|Arakkonam]]
* [[Mughalsarai Junction|Mughalsarai]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Lallaguda|Lallaguda]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Vijayawada|Vijayawada]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Bhusawal|Bhusawal]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Valsad|Valsad]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Howrah|Howrah]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Jhansi|Jhansi]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Tuglakabad|Tughlakabad]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Tatanagar|Tatanagar]]
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Bhilai|Bhilai]]

==Technical specifications<ref name="auto"/>==
{| class=wikitable
|Traction Motors
|Alstom TAO 659 A1 (575 kW, 750 V). Six motors, axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
|-
|Gear Ratio
|15:62 originally (and still for WAM-4 2S3P), now many variations, 21:58 being common for WAM-4 6P locomotives.
|-
|Transformer
|Heil BOT 3460 A, 22.5 kV / 3460 kVA.
|-
|Rectifiers
|Two silicon rectifier cells, 1270 V / 1000 A each cubicle.
|-
|Pantographs
|Two Faiveley AM-12.
|-
|Hauling capacity
|{{convert|2010|t|abbr=on}}
|-
|Current Ratings
|(WAM-4 6P) 1100A/10min, 750A continuous
|}

==Image Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" heights="150" perrow="4">
File:TATA WAM4.jpg|TATA based WAM-4 in barbie doll livery rest at Durg Jn.
File:AJJ SAPTAGIRI WAM4.jpg|AJJ based Saptagiri livery WAM-4 rest at Arakkonam Jn.
File:WAM4 Ennore.JPG|AJJ based WAM-4 with an express train
File:VSKP-Nanded Express exits Moula Ali.jpg|WAM 4 series loco 20491 from Vadodara Shed VSKP-Nanded Express
File:WAM4 loco at Moulaali.jpg|WAM 4 series loco 21226 from Visakhapatnam Shed spotted at [[Moula-Ali|Moula Ali]]
File:WAM 4 series loco at Visakhapatnam.jpg|WAM 4 series loco 21219 from [[Arakkonam]] Shed spotted at [[Visakhapatnam Junction]]
File:13022 (Raxaul-Howrah) Mithila Express 01.jpg|13022 (Raxaul - [[Howrah Junction railway station|Howrah]]) Mithila Express with [[Howrah Junction railway station|HWH]] WAM 4 21281 based at katni shed
File:A WAM-4 class Locomotive at Secunderabad.jpg|WAM-4P loco of [[Vijayawada Junction railway station|Vijayawada]] Shed spotted at [[Secunderabad Junction railway station|Secunderabad]]
File:WAM 4 with the Malwa Express.jpg|WAM 4 with the [[Malwa Express]]
File:12295 (SBC-PNBE) Sanghamitra Express 01.jpg|12295 (SBC-PNBE) Sanghamitra Express from [[Mughalsarai]] Shed
File:Howrah bound 12814 (Tatanagar-Howrah) Steel Express.jpg|Howrah bound 12814 (Tatanagar-Howrah) Steel Express with WAM4 series loco of Tata shed
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Indian Railways]]
*[[Locomotives of India]]
*[[Rail transport in India]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{Hughes-IndianLocos4}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WAM4}}
*[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WAG-9 Specifications]
*[http://www.irfca.org India railway fan club]

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

[[Category:Electric locomotives of India]]
[[Category:25 kV AC locomotives]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1970]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:Chittaranjan Locomotive Works locomotives]]

Indian locomotive class WAM-4 - Revision history

Ajendra69 at 03:59, 25 May 2022