Indian locomotive class WAP-3

The Indian locomotive class WAP-3 was a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was designed by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) for Indian Railways in 1987. The model name stands for Broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Passenger traffic (P) locomotive, 3rd generation (3). They entered service in 1988. They were the faster variant of the previous WAP-1 class. A total of 9 WAP-3 were converted from existing WAP-1 units at CLW between 1987 and 1988, but were later reverted back to WAP-1 specifications.

WAP-3
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerRDSO, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works
BuilderChittaranjan Locomotive Works
Order numberRDSOE-17
ModelWAP-1 FMII
Build date1987–1988
Total produced9 (all from previous WAP-1 units)
RebuilderChittaranjan Locomotive Works
Rebuild date1987–1988
Number rebuilt9
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo′Co′
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
BogiesFabricated bogie assembly (Flexicoil Mark II and later Mark IV)
Wheel diameterNew: 1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Half worn: 1,055 mm (3 ft 5+12 in)
Full worn: 1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in)
Wheelbase1,735 mm (5 ft 8 in)
Length:
 • Over beams18.794 m (61 ft 7+2932 in)
 • Over body17.500 m (57 ft 4+3132 in)
Width3.179 m (10 ft 5+532 in)
Height4.272 m (14 ft 316 in)
Frame typeFlexicoil (cast steel bogies); primary and secondary wheel springs with bolsters
Axle load18,800 kg (41,400 lb)
Loco weight112,000 kg (247,000 lb)
Sandbox cap.8 Sandboxes
Power supply110v DC
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motorsAlstom TAO 659
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir, Dual
Safety systemsSlip control, Over voltage relay, Main overload relay, Earth Fault Relay, Low Pressure Governor, Brake Cylinder Cutoff Valve, Train parting alarms and No OHE volt relay
Performance figures
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Power output:
 • Starting3,900 hp (2,900 kW)
 • Continuous3,760 hp (2,804 kW)
Tractive effort:
 • Starting22,400 kgf (220 kN)
 • 1 hour22,400 kgf (220 kN)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
ClassWAP-3
Numbers22003, 22005-22009 and 22034, 22051, 220052
NicknamesJawahar
LocaleAll over India
Delivered1987
First run1988
WithdrawnFebruary 2017
Preserved1 (as Loco pilot trainer)
DispositionAll reverted to WAP-1 and in service.

History

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The history of the WAP-3 begins in the early 1980s with the WAP-1 class. The WAP-1 was the first attempt to create a dedicated high-speed electric passenger locomotive.[1] They were first used on the Howrah Rajdhani Express,[2] but Indian Railways was not satisfied with the performance of the WAP-1, as they could haul around 19 coaches at a max speed of 120 km/h. So Indian Railways decided to procure a faster version of the WAP-1.[3]

The WAP-3 was ordered from CLW to the design of RDSO. The Flexicoil cast steel bogies of the WAP-1 was replaced by Flexicoil Mark II versions. This increased max speed to 140 km/h.[citation needed] Five prototype locomotives of this type were made from existing WAP-1 units. The first prototype WAP-1 numbered '22005 Jawahar' was put into service in 1988.[citation needed] Initially these locomotives were classified as WAP-1 FM II,[4] with FM II standing for " Flexicoil Mark II " and were certified to run at 130 km/h between Jhansi and lalitpur section.[5] Later Flexicoil Mark 4 bogies were provided for Subsequent WAP-3 which increased max speed to 160 km/h.[citation needed]

They were first used on the Taj Express and then the Shatabdi express.[6][7] The Bhopal Shatabdi used to run with WAP-3 for some time.[8] But as trains got longer the WAP-3 struggled to perform and required banking locomotives on moderately graded sections, and so did not meet their design goals these were reverted to WAP-1 class again.[citation needed][when?]

The WAP-3 and WAP-1 provided the basis for the WAP-4 class.

Locomotive sheds

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The current list[as of?] of the former WAP-3 class

Loco No Current Shed Status Current class Comment REF
22003 Arakkonam (AJJ) Training Loco WAP-1 Converted to training loco with glass panels in bodyside [9]
22005 Arakkonam (AJJ) In service WAP-1 Named Jawahar [10]
22006 Tughlakabad (TKD)
In service WAP-1 Named Rajhans [11]
22007 Arakkonam (AJJ) In service WAP-1 [12]
22008 Arakkonam (AJJ) In service WAP-1 [13]
22009 Arakkonam (AJJ) In service WAP-1 [14]
22034 Tughlakabad (TKD) In service WAP-1 [15]
22051 Tughlakabad (TKD) In service WAP-1 Now a WAP-4[as of?] [16]
22052 Tughlakabad (TKD) In service WAP-1 [17][18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "[IRFCA] A Brief History of Railway Electrification in India". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  2. ^ "Railmanak Lucknow" (PDF). rdso.indianrailways.gov.in. 9 October 1989. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Electric Locomotive Roster: The WAP Series!". 3 September 2016.
  4. ^ "WAP-3 name" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Speed certificate" (PDF).
  6. ^ "wap1_jawahar_taj_exp.jpg". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  7. ^ "WAP-3 RDSO" (PDF).
  8. ^ Departing from New Delhi - Bhopal Shatabdi Footplate (August 1995), 25 October 2011, retrieved 2020-05-20
  9. ^ Maharshi, Tageeru Anubharadwaj. "2217080-0: Modal Locomotive AJJ 22003 WAP1 ARAKKONA - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com.
  10. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Arakkonam (AJJ) WAP-1 22005 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  11. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Tughlakabad (TKD) WAP-1 22006 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  12. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Arakkonam (AJJ) WAP-1 22007 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  13. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Arakkonam (AJJ) WAP-1 22008 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  14. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Arakkonam (AJJ) WAP-1 22009 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  15. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Tughlakabad (TKD) WAP-1 22034 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  16. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Mughalsarai (MGS) WAP-4 22051 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  17. ^ "[IRFCA] Indian Railways Locomotive Roster Tughlakabad (TKD) WAP-1 22052 Show". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  18. ^ "2_G.jpg". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
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