Indian locomotive class WCM-1


The Indian locomotive class WCM-1 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives that was developed in 1951 by Vulcan Foundry and English Electric for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge, Direct Current, Mixed traffic engine, 1st generation. They entered service in 1955. A total of 7 WCM-1 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 With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV AC electrification, all were withdrawn by early 2000s after repeated failures. Today 1 locomotive is preserved with rest of the units being Scrapped.

History

The history of WCM-1 begins in the early 1950s with the stated aim of the Indian Railways to remove the aging fleet of WCG-1 and WCP-1 class locomotives working in the Central Railways . So IR to procure 7 1500 V DC electric locomotives from English Electric and Vulcan Foundry, the latter previously supplied Steam locomotives to India. They are 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 now common Co-Co wheel arrangement. They were also the longest non steam locomotive in India until the arrival of the WAG-12 class. Initially the WCM-1 class were known as EM/1 class. They were easily recognizable with their huge size and round smooth 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 like the Deccan Queen, Indrayani Express and as well as in Freight Duties. In 1968, the placement of the entry doors were moved to near the cab for better practicality. The Deccan Queen had WCM-1 with a matching livery until 1990s. In the mid 1990s the aging WCM-1 began to fail regularly causing disruption in train services. So Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotives from services and by 2000, all units were withdrawn.

Preserved Examples

Former sheds