Indian locomotive class WCAM-2


WCAM-2 is a class of locomotives used in the Indian Railways system. They are the second locomotive from the WCAM class. They use the same motors as WCAM 1 but with different circuitry and gearing. They are operational in routes around Mumbai. MU operation was possible with 3 units. WCAM-2P was the passenger oriented version of WCAM-2 class. However they perform better than WCAM 1 series. Same as WCAM 1 class they also performed poorly in DC mode compared to AC mode. They were also used for hauling trains away from the DC section of suburban trains to AC section and performed the same task as the WCAM-1 did. WCAM-2 locos had the same traction motors, as the WCAM-1 locos, but different circuitry and gearing. The bogies are somewhat different from those of the WCAM-1 being fabricated trimount Co-Co bogies with secondary suspension. Rated speed 105 km/h in DC mode and 120 km/h in AC mode.. Almost all of these were dual-braked, but all are now equipped with air brakes only. All the WCAM-1's and -2's were homed at Valsad shed in Gujarat. Many of CR's WCAM-2 locos were not used much in DC zones as they delivered very poor performance in DC mode and on CR's heavy grades. Although these locos have the same traction motors as the WAM 4 and WCAM 1, the power output from the WCAM-2 locos is higher than for the WAM-4 and WCAM-1 because in those models the traction motors were underfed and did not yield their potential maximum power. Under AC traction, the WCAM-2 locos operate with all six motors in parallel, while in DC mode they also operate in the all-series and series-parallel configurations. Recent WCAM-2's from BHEL, including the passenger-specific version WCAM-2P, were rated 2900 hp in DC mode and 4700 hp in AC mode. These were used by WR and CR for fast trains, running at up to 120 km/h. CR had tried the WCAM-2 and WCAM-2P units but found them usable only with speed restrictions. Some WCAM-2P units had only air brakes. With the WCAM-2 locos, MU operation was possible with up to 3 units. Some of the WCAM-2 locos were originally leased to IR, ownership remaining with BHEL, the manufacturers.

Technical specificationshttp://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco-electric-dc.html#WCAM-2 WCAM-2 at Indian Railways Fan Club

ManufacturersBharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Traction MotorsTAO 659. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
Gear Ratio62:15, 58:21
TransformerBHEL 5400 kVA.
RectifiersTwo silicon rectifier units D1800N44, 16 cells per bridge. 1000 V / 3600 A
Axle load
BogiesCo-Co trimount fabricated bogies with secondary suspension.
PantographsStone India AM-12 and Stone India AM-18B
NotchesTotal 32
Weight
Length
Total wheelbase
BrakesVacuum and/or Air

Locomotive shed

Trains hauled by WCAM-2/2P

  1. Pragati Express
  2. Sahyadri Express
  3. Jhelum Express
  4. Kanyakumari Mumbai Express