Indian locomotive class WAP-6


The Indian locomotive class WAP-6 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in the 1997 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge, AC Current, Passenger traffic , 6th generation locomotive. They entered service in April 1996. A total of 17 WAP-6 units were built at CLW between 1995 and 1998.
The WAP-6 were intended to be the faster variant of the successful WAP-4, but failed trials and were restricted to a top speed of 105km/h. Now all units have been converted to WAP-4 specifications. All were homed at Asansol shed but after conversion reallocated to Howrah shed.

History

This class was actually variant of the WAP-4 design where Co-Co Flexicoil Mark 1 cast bogies of the usual WAP4 was replaced by Fabricated Flexicoil Mark IV bogies. All other specifications were same as WAP4. WAP-1 unit no. 22212 was the first to be rebuilt into a WAP-6. It was provided with Flexicoil bogies and other upgrades. Then it was rebuilt into WAP-4. Later, more WAP-1 units were re-geared and provided with high-adhesion fabricated bogies which are somewhat similar to ALCO hi-adhesion bogies. They were intended to reach but failed to do so in trials and were restricted at. Two units,i.e., 22406 and 22408 are upgraded with better wheel-sets. This class was an unsuccessful one. All have been converted back as WAP-4. About 16 of these were built.

Technical specifications

Hauling capacity

If the average weight of ICF coaches is 55 tonnes then:
Grades/km/hStart204060708090100110120130140150160
Level1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1155805570
1 in 5001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1105805565400
1 in 2001500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+132012301035730535375260
1 in 1501500+1500+1500+1500+1500+1500+140510901020860610445310215
1 in 1001500+157014901405136511951020795750635445320220145
1 in 5011607707507207106255304103903252201509045

* Except One all the locomotives are rebuild back to wap-4.