Indian locomotive class WDP-3A

Last updated

WDP-3A
Golden Rock WDP-3A 15532.jpeg
GOC based WDP-3A with passenger train
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel Electric
Builder Banaras Locomotive Works
Diesel-Loco Modernisation Works
Serial numberWDP-2-1 to WDP-2-44
Model ALCO DL560C variant
Build dateOctober 4, 1998, to February 1, 2001
Total produced44
Rebuilder Diesel-Loco Modernisation Works, Patiala
Rebuild date2006 March 29
Number rebuilt1
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  AAR Co-Co
 •  UIC Co′Co′
Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Trucks 190 KILOGRAMS
Bogies Flexicoil Mark V fabricated bogies
Wheel diameter1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Wheelbase 12.834 m (42 ft 1+1⁄4 in)
Length18.62 m (61 ft 1+1⁄8 in)
Width2.964 m (9 ft 8+3⁄4 in)
Height4.185 m (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in)
Axle load 17,500 kg (38,600 lb)
Loco weight117 t (115 long tons; 129 short tons)
Fuel type Diesel
Fuel capacity5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal)
Water cap.4000 LITER
Sandbox cap.58 KILOGRAMS
Fuel consumption20 %
Prime mover ALCO 251-C
RPM range400 - 1050 rpm
Engine type V16 Diesel engine
Aspiration ABB VTC304-15 or Napier NA 295 IR turbocharger
Generator HITACHI 2800 HP
Traction motors Bharat Heavy Electricals TA 10102 CW (new), BHEL TG 10931 AZ(old)
Cylinders 16
Cylinder size 228 mm × 266 mm (8.98 in × 10.47 in)
bore x stroke
Transmission Diesel electric
MU working 2
Train brakes Air
Safety systemsALTERNATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Power outputWDP-3A: 3100 HP,
Tractive effort 30.45 t (30 long tons; 34 short tons)
Career
Operators Indian Railways
Power classDiesel
Numbers15501-15544
NicknamesToasters, Pushpak
LocaleSR (GOC), NR (TKD) and CR (KYN)
DeliveredJuly 31, 1998
First run1998 August 4
Last run2021 may 14
Retired2023 December 26
Withdrawn2024 April 19
Preserved1 earmarked
Restored-
Scrapped2024 June 1
DispositionCompletely withdrawn (all have scrapped)

The Indian locomotive class WDP-3A, colloquially nicknamed the Toaster, is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was developed in 1998 by Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Passengers traffic (P) locomotive with 3100 horsepower (3A). The WDP-3A is a later classification of earlier WDP-2. They entered service in 1998. A total of 44 were built between 1998 and 2001.

Contents

They are the Fastest ALCo based locomotive found in India with a Top speed of 160 km/h, on par with the premier Electric Locomotives. The WDP-3A served IR for over 25 years. A significant number of these locomotives are still in use, both on mainline and departmental duties. As of June 2022, few of the locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WDP-3A, with further examples having been Scrapped.

History

The first one was delivered in October 1998, under the name of WDP-2. [1] 44 units produced until February 2001 (Indian Railway road number 15501-15544) had dual cab forward design different from other classes of locos built by DLW (WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDG-3A and WDP-1). [2] These new locomotives have control stand similar to many electric locomotives. They are the re-geared versions of the WDM-3A. This was IR's attempt to build a high speed loco on ALCO platform. But the EMD locos came with a much better performance with higher HP rating to kill the prospect of WDP3As. These units have air brakes only and the gear ratio is 64:19. [3]

These locos (WDP-2s then) were introduced initially the Chennai Egmore - Kanyakumari Section, hauling many Prestigious trains like the Pallavan Express, Vaigai Express, Rockfort Express, Nellai Express and Pothigai Express to name a few. A problem with the WDP-3A was that it would get uncomfortably hot inside the driving cabin on the radiator side and the locos were nicknamed “toasters” by the locomotive pilots. The WDP3A was best known for hauling the Trivandrum Rajdhani and later on the Mumbai CSMT - Karmali Tejas Express through the Konkan Railway at a top speed of 120 kmh single-handedly. In 2018, a couple of GOC Based WDP3A locomotives were rebuilt at DMW Patiala with better bogies for Riding comfort. Such Rebuilt toasters bear the suffix 'R' to their road numbers.

However, due to age issues and cracking of bogie underframes, the WDP3A locomotives of DLS GOC and KYN were withdrawn gradually from hauling passenger trains and were relegated to hauling departmental rakes. In 2021, GOC announced the Withdrawal of all WDP3A's in their shed and a few WDP3A's were sent to Ponmalai Workshop for scrapping. 15501 is To be preserved.

All WDP-3A locomotives of KYN DLS were condemned in January 2022 and scrapped at DLS.

Locomotive sheds

ZoneNameShed CodeQuantity
Northern Railway Tughlakabad TKD (D)16
Total Locomotives Active as of March 2024 [4] 16

Former sheds

KYN WDP-3A hauling the Mumbai-Karmali Tejas Express. Monsoon Train - Flickr - Dr. Santulan Mahanta.jpg
KYN WDP-3A hauling the Mumbai-Karmali Tejas Express.
Tughlakabad WDP-3A named "Pushpak" WDP3A c 15543 PUSHPAK.jpg
Tughlakabad WDP-3A named "Pushpak"

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "IR History: Part - VI (1970-1995)". Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  2. ↑ Agarwal, Avinash Kumal; Dhar, Atul; Gautam, Anirudh; Pandey, Ashok, eds. (2017). Locomotives and Rail Road Transportation - Technology, Challenges and Prospects. Springer. p. 16. ISBN   978-981-10-3787-0. LCCN   2017930134 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ "About WDP-3A". Indian Railways Fan Club.
  4. ↑ "Listing All Locos - IRFCA Locomotive Database". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
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