LouieWebb342 at 04:40, 12 March 2026

2026-03-12T04:40:10Z

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{{Short description|Class of 1950s electric locomotives}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = May 2020}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=October 2024}}
{{Original research|date=October 2024}}
{{Rewrite|date=October 2024}}
}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = Indian locomotive class WCM-1
| image = File:An-Rail-Engine-display-in-ICF-Rail-Museum-Chennai.JPG
| alt =
| caption = A WCM-1 preserved at ICF Rail Museum, Chennai
| powertype = Electric
| designer = [[Vulcan Foundry]], [[English Electric]]
| builder = [[English Electric]]
| ordernumber = M3559/53261/51
| serialnumber =
| buildmodel = EM/1
| builddate = 1954–1955
| totalproduction = 7
| rebuilder = [[Electric Loco Shed, Kalyan]]
| rebuilddate = 1968
| numberrebuilt = 7
| website =
| aarwheels = [[AAR wheel arrangement#C-C|C-C]]
| uicclass = Co′Co′
| Britishclass = [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]]
| gauge = {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}
| bogies = 3 Axle fabricated frame, Swing bolster with Equalizer beams
| wheeldiameter = New: {{convert|1220|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}},<br/>Half worn: {{convert|1182|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=2}} and<br/>Full worn: {{convert|1114|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2400|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| length =
| over couplers = {{convert|20.836|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| body = {{convert|19.5|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| width = {{convert|3.169|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| height = {{convert|4.292|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}
| pantodown = 
| bodyonly = 
| frametype = 3 Axle fabricated frame
| axleload = {{convert|20.83|t}}
| locoweight = {{convert|123.98|t}}
| sandcap = 8+8 sandboxes
| powersupply = 110 V [[Direct current|DC]]
| electricsystem = 1.5 kV [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|Overhead]]
| collectionmethod = [[pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]]
| alternator =
| generator =
| tractionmotors = E.E.514/2C
| t/m amps 1 hr = 700A
| t/m amps cont = 600A
| transmission =
| gear ratio = 16:59
| multipleworking = Not possible
| locobrakes = [[Railway air brake|Air]]/[[Parking brake#Railroad hand brakes|Hand]], [[Regenerative braking]]
| trainbrakes = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]
| reservoircap =
| compressorcap = 7 kg/cm
| exhaustercap =
| safety = Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Earth fault relay, Low pressure governor, Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
| coupling =
| maxspeed = {{convert|120.5|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput =
| poweroutput start = Max: {{convert|3700|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput 1 hr = Max: {{convert|3700|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput cont = Max: {{convert|3170|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort =
| t/e starting = {{convert|31000|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}
| t/e 1 hr = {{convert|21772|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}
| t/e continuous = {{convert|17690|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}
| factorofadhesion =
| f/adh starting =
| f/adh 1 hr =
| f/adh continuous =
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| operatorclass = EM/1
| fleetnumbers = 20066-20072
| officialname =
| nicknames =
| axleloadclass =
| locale = Central Railways
| deliverydate = 1954-1955
| firstrundate = 1955
| lastrundate = 1999
| retiredate = January 2000
| withdrawndate = April 2001
| preservedunits = 1
| restoredate =
| scrapdate = May 2001
| currentowner = [[Chennai Rail Museum]]
| disposition = One preserved, remainder scrapped.
| notes =
}}
The Indian locomotive class '''WCM-1''' is a class of 1.5 [[Volt|kV]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[electric locomotive]]s that was developed in 1954 by [[Vulcan Foundry]] and [[English Electric]] for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge (W)]], Direct Current (C), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 1st generation (1). They entered service in 1955. A total of 7 WCM-1 locomotives were built in England between 1954 and 1955.

The WCM-1 served both passenger and freight trains for over 45 years. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV [[Alternating current|AC]] electrification, all were withdrawn by the early 2000s after repeated failures. One locomotive has been preserved, with the rest being scrapped.

== History ==

The WCM-1 were designed in the mid-1950s with the intent for the [[Indian Railways]] (IR) to remove the aging fleet of [[Indian locomotive class WCP-1|WCP-1]], [[Indian locomotive class WCP-2|WCP-2]], [[Indian locomotive class WCP-3|WCP-3]] and [[Indian locomotive class WCP-4|WCP-4]] class locomotives working on the [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]] (CR).<ref>{{Cite book| title=Vulcan Foundry Locomotives 1832–1956| last=Gudgin| first=D.S.E.| publisher=Bradford Barton| location=Truro| year=1976| isbn=978-0-85153-215-8}}{{Page needed|date=October 2024}}</ref>{{Or inline|date=October 2024}} Thus IR purchased seven 1500 V DC electric locomotives from [[English Electric]] and [[Vulcan Foundry]], the latter having previously supplied steam locomotives to India. They were manufactured in England and shipped to India in 1954-1955.

These locomotives were the first mixed class electric locomotive to roam India as well as the first electric locomotive with the [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] wheel arrangement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Refer pg 252|url=https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Data%20Book%20of%20Electric%20Locomotives%202016(3).pdf}}</ref> They were also the longest serving non-steam locomotives in India until the arrival of the [[Indian locomotive class WCG-2|WCG-2]], [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-1|WCAM-1]], [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-2|WCAM-2]], [[Indian locomotive class WCM-6|WCM-6]], [[Indian locomotive class WCAM-3|WCAM-3]] and [[Indian locomotive class WCAG-1|WCAG-1]] class.{{Or inline|date=October 2024}} Initially the WCM-1 class were known as EM/1 class.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} They had a distinct appearance, with their large size and round noses. They had their cab doors placed in the middle of the body instead of being near the cab.

The WCM-1 locomotives were used on many express trains such as the [[Deccan Queen]] and the [[Indrayani Express]], and as well as on freight duties. In 1968, the placement of the entry doors were moved to near the cab for {{Clarify span|better practicality|date=October 2024}}. The Deccan Queen had WCM-1 with a matching livery until the 1990s. During that period, the aging WCM-1s began to fail regularly, causing disruption on train services. Thus Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotives from service by 2000, with only one being preserved.

== Preserved Examples ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Class
!Manufacturer
!Loco Number
!Previous shed
!Name
!Livery
!Location
!ref
|-
|WCM-1
|[[Vulcan Foundry]] and [[English Electric]]
|20068
|Kalyan (KYN)
|
|White/blue with red lining
|Preserved at [[Chennai Rail Museum]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Railway Museum Chennai|url=https://erail.in/|website=erail.in|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref>
|}

== Former sheds ==

* Pune
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Kalyan|Kalyan]] (KYN)
All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.

==See also==

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WCM1}}
*http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WCM-1
*[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2e.html]
*[http://www.irfca.org India railway fan club]

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:WCM-1}}
[[Category:Electric locomotives of India]]
[[Category:1500 V DC locomotives]]
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1955]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]
[[Category:English Electric locomotives]]
[[Category:Streamlined electric locomotives]]

Indian locomotive class WCM-1 - Revision history

LouieWebb342 at 04:40, 12 March 2026