>Colonies Chris at 18:49, 5 July 2021

2021-07-05T18:49:36Z

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{{more footnotes|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = WCAM–3
| image = File:KYN WCAM3.jpg
| caption = Kalyan based WCAM-3 hauling single utkrisht coach arrives Diva Jn.
| powertype = Electric
| gauge = {{Track gauge|66in|lk=on}}
| poweroutput = {{convert|4600|hp|abbr=on}} DC<br />{{convert|5300|hp|abbr=on}} AC
| builder = [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]]
| operator = Central Railways
| fleetnumbers = Starting from '''21881-21900''' / '''21931-21963'''
| totalproduction = '''WCAM-3:''' 53
| uicclass = Co'Co'
| electricsystem = {{25 kV 50 Hz}}<br />1.5 [[Volt|kV]] [[Direct current|DC]] (past)
| maxspeed = {{convert|105|km/h|abbr=on}} DC, {{convert|125|km/h|abbr=on}} AC
| collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (rail)|Pantographs]] one each for AC and DC(past) (both now used for AC)
| nicknames =
| locale = [[Central Railway zone|Central Railways]]
}}

'''WCAM–3''' is a class of dual-power AC/DC series [[locomotive]]s used in the [[Indian Railways]] system. They are the third locomotives from the WCAM class. They were specifically designed for use by [[Central Railway zone|Central Railways]] in the Ghat section towards [[Nashik]] and [[Pune Junction railway station|Pune]].

== History ==

The WCAM-3 locomotives were developed after Central Railways faced a massive locomotive crisis in the 1990s. During this period, many of the WCM locomotives, which began to show their age, suffered several failures. As a result, CR had a tough time in maintaining train schedules, which led to the demand for a locomotive similar to the [[Indian locomotive class WCAM 2/2P|WCAM-2/2P]], which was already successful in the [[Western Railway zone|Western Railways]]. Thus the WCAM-3 was introduced along with the WCAG-1, with more power and traction.

The locomotive class was jointly developed by RDSO and BHEL in 1997. Components were shared with the WCAG-1 locos (see below). Co-Co fabricated bogies (High-Adhesion—shwered with WCAG-1, WAG-7, WDG-2, etc.) with secondary suspension. Monocoque underframe. Air brakes were original equipment. They were originally manufactured under a BOLT (build-own-lease-transfer) contract with BHEL, and were probably still owned by BHEL rather than by IR. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force ventilated, taper roller bearings Speed control by tap changers in AC mode and resistance notching in DC mode. Motors can be placed in different series-parallel combinations. Auxiliaries from Elgi, S F India, Best, Gresham & Craven, etc.

Static converter from ACEC for auxiliary supply. In DC mode, rheostatic braking by self-excitation of traction motors available until 17 km/h. Elgi compressor, other auxiliaries from S F India. Rated for 105 km/h in DC mode (AC mode rated speed was quoted at 120 km/h although it can figuratively go up to 125 km/h). Traction motor configurations as in the WCAM-1/2 and WAM-4 (all 6 in series, 2S 3P, or all parallel—the latter was the only one used under AC traction, enforced now by modifications to the locos).

=== Current Usage ===

The class are in active service in the [[Central Railway zone]]. CR uses WCAM-3 locos on Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Igatpuri sections which had ghat portions as well as speed restrictions of about 100 km/h. They also used to haul intercity trains out of Mumbai DC suburban region on [[Western Railway zone|Western]] as well as [[Central Railway zone|Central Railways]] which was on a 1500 V DC overhead system, as opposed to other parts of [[India]] which had 25000 V AC overhead.[http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Events/cracdcjan13/] WCAM engines now serve trains operating out of [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station|Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)]] and as bankers on Kasara-Igatpuri/Karjat-Lonavla section. Due to exclusivity in operation/maintenance of these locomotives, they do not go beyond the Central Railway's zone limits. These dual-traction models deliver 4600 hp in DC mode and 5300 hp in AC mode, and post 25 kV transformation, WCAMs were fully transformed into pure AC locomotives, and the performance was even more improved.

Freight rakes double-headed by WCAM-3 (upgraded models) are a common sight on the ghat sections. MU operation possible with 3 (4?) units. As of [12/05], all WCAM-3 locos had been retrofitted with roof-mounted rheostatic braking grids. The acceleration is similar to those of [[Indian locomotive class WAP-4|WAP-4s]] and sometimes, it is quoted to match the acceleration levels of [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP-7s]], although it's not been verified.

== Locomotive shed==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Zone !! Name !! Shed Code !! Quantity
|-
|[[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]] || [[Electric Loco Shed, Kalyan|Kalyan]] || KYN || 53
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Total Locomotives Active as of 01-07-2020'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=e-Locos|url=http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Holding/holding.html}}</ref>|| 53
|}


==Technical specifications<ref name=IRFCA>[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco-electric-dc.html#WCAM-2 WCAM-2] at Indian Railways Fan Club</ref>==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:98%;"
|-
!width=16%| '''Class'''
!width=21%| '''WCAM–3'''
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Year'''
|1997+
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Maker'''
| [[Bharat Heavy Electricals|BHEL]]
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Traction Motors'''
||Hitachi HS15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Transformer'''
| BHEL 5400 kVA. 32 taps
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Power(hp)'''
|4600 DC / 5300 AC Max., 5000 AC cont.
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Rectifiers'''
| Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A.
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Speed'''
|105 DC / 125 AC
|-
|style="text-align:centre;"|'''Weight(tonnes)'''
|113
|}

==Trains hauled by WCAM-3==

*[[Tapovan Express]]
*[[Kanyakumari–Mumbai Express]]
*[[Pragati Express]]
*[[Sahyadri Express]]
*[[Mumbai–Amravati Express]]
*[[Nandigram Express]]
*[[Deccan Queen]] (June 1st)
*[[Mumbai–Chennai Mail]]

==See also==

*[[Locomotives of India]]
*[[History of rail transport in India]]
*[[Rail transport in India]]
*[[Indian Railways]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WCAM3}}
* http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Events/cracdcjan13/
* http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco-electric-dc.html#acdc

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

[[Category:Electric locomotives of India]]
[[Category:1500 V DC locomotives]]
[[Category:25 kV AC locomotives]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:Multi-system locomotives]]
[[Category:BHEL locomotives]]

Indian locomotive class WCAM-3 - Revision history

>Colonies Chris at 18:49, 5 July 2021