https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Indian_locomotive_class_WCM-2Indian locomotive class WCM-2 - Revision history2026-08-19T19:58:29ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_locomotive_class_WCM-2&diff=122699&oldid=prev97.70.26.129 at 13:19, 6 May 20212021-05-06T13:19:11Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Infobox locomotive<br />
| name = Indian locomotive class WCM-2<br />
| image = File:WCM 2.jpg<br />
| alt = The WCM-2 was actually intended for kolkata<br />
| caption = A WCM-2 rest after hauling the Punjab mail<br />
| powertype = Electric<br />
| designer = [[Vulcan Foundry]], [[English Electric]]<br />
| builder = [[English Electric]], [[Vulcan Foundry]]<br />
| ordernumber = 1205/5955/55<br />
| serialnumber = <br />
| buildmodel = EM2<br />
| builddate = 21 February 1956<br />
| totalproduction = 12<br />
| rebuilder = [[Research Design and Standards Organisation]]<br />
| rebuilddate = August 5, 1976<br />
| numberrebuilt = All 12<br />
| website = <br />
| aarwheels = [[AAR wheel arrangement#C-C|C-C]]<br />
| uicclass = Co′Co′<br />
| Britishclass = [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]]<br />
| gauge = {{RailGauge|5ft6in|lk=on}}<br />
| bogies = 3 Axle fabricated frame, Swing bolster with Equalizer beams<br />
| wheeldiameter = New:{{convert|1092|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}},<br>Half worn:{{convert|1055|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=2}} and<br>Full worn:{{convert|1116|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<br />
| wheelbase = {{convert|2248|mm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<br />
| length = <br />
| over couplers = {{convert|20.066|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<br />
| body = {{convert|18.745|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<br />
| width = {{convert|3.245|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<br />
| height = {{convert|4.293|m|ftin|abbr=on|frac=16}}<br />
| pantodown = <!-- electrics --><br />
| bodyonly = <!-- electrics --><br />
| frametype = 3 Axle fabricated frame<br />
| axleload = {{convert|18.80|t}}<br />
| locoweight = {{convert|112.80|t}}<br />
| sandcap = 24 sandboxes each with 63.5 Kg capacity<br />
| powersupply = 110 V [[Direct current|DC]]<br />
| electricsystem = 1.5 kV [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|Overhead]] <br />
*Earlier 3.0 kV [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|Overhead]]<br />
| collectionmethod = [[pantograph (rail)|pantograph]]<br />
| alternator = <br />
| generator = <br />
| tractionmotors = E.E.531A<br />
| t/m amps 1 hr = 286A<br />
| t/m amps cont = 260A<br />
| transmission = <br />
| gear ratio = 16:62<br />
| multipleworking = Not possible<br />
| locobrakes = [[Railway air brake|Air]]/[[Parking brake#Railroad hand brakes|Hand]]<br />
| trainbrakes = [[Vacuum brake|Vacuum]]<br />
| reservoircap = <br />
| compressorcap = 7.03 kg/cm²<br />
| exhaustercap = <br />
| safety = Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Low pressure governor, Vacuum governor Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve<br />
| coupling = <br />
| maxspeed = {{convert|120.5|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}<br />
| poweroutput = <br />
| poweroutput start = Max:{{convert|3120|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}<br />
| poweroutput 1 hr = Max:{{convert|3090|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}<br />
| poweroutput cont = Max:{{convert|2810|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}}<br />
| tractiveeffort = <br />
| t/e starting = {{convert|31298|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}<br />
| t/e 1 hr = {{convert|14000|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}<br />
| t/e continuous = {{convert|12300|kgf|kN|-1|abbr=on}}<br />
| factorofadhesion = 25<br />
| f/adh starting = <br />
| f/adh 1 hr = <br />
| f/adh continuous = <br />
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]<br />
| operatorclass = EM/2<br />
| fleetnumbers = 20175-186<br />
| officialname = <br />
| nicknames = BlueBird<br />
| locale = Central Railways<br />
| deliverydate = 1956-1957<br />
| firstrundate = 1957 ER, 1961 CR<br />
| lastrundate = January 2000<br />
| retiredate = March 2000<br />
| withdrawndate = April 2001<br />
| preservedunits = none<br />
| restoredate = <br />
| scrapdate = Feb 28, 2005<br />
| currentowner = [[Chennai Rail Museum]]<br />
| disposition = All have been scrapped.<br />
| notes = <br />
}}<br />
The Indian locomotive class '''WCM-2''' is a class of 1.5 [[Volt|kV]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[electric locomotive]]s that was developed in 1956 by [[Vulcan Foundry]] and [[English Electric]] for [[Indian Railways]]. The model name stands for [[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|broad gauge (W)]], Direct Current (C), Mixed traffic (M) engine, 2nd generation (2). They entered service in 1957. A total of 12 WCM-2 locomotives was built at England between 1956 and 1957.<br />
<br />
The WCM-2 served both passenger and freight trains for over 43 years. With the introduction of more modern types of locomotives and 25 KV [[ Alternating current|AC]] electrification, all were withdrawn in early 2000s after repeated failures. As of today, all locomotives of this class have been scrapped.<br />
== History ==<br />
<br />
The history of WCM-2 begins in the early 1950s with the stated aim of the [[Indian Railways]] (IR) to remove [[Steam locomotive|steam locomotives]] working in the Eastern Railways (ER) after recommendation of Karnail Singh Fuel Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Report of the expert Committee on Coal Consumption on Railways, 1958|url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/report-expert-committee-coal-consumption-railways-1958|website=INDIAN CULTURE|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| title=Vulcan Foundry Locomotives 1832–1956| last=Gudgin| first=D.S.E.| publisher=Bradford Barton| location=Truro| year=1976| isbn=978-0-85153-215-8}}</ref> In 1950s the [[Kolkata Suburban Railway]] was established and electrified with overhead 3000V DC supply.<ref>[http://www.ser.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1383718660467-new%20EMU.pdf History of EMU on Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway], ''South Eastern Railway'', 27 November 2018</ref> So Indian Railways began to look at various designs.<br />
<br />
Initially, the Indian railways invited tenders to build locomotives to the new specification. The following responses were received:<br />
<br />
* [[Vulcan Foundry]] and [[English Electric]] submitted their model with 3120 hp with top speed of 105 km/h.<br />
*[[Hitachi]] submitted their model with 3600 hp with top speed of 105 km/h. They also had Co-Co bogies<br />
<br />
Each company submitted their prototypes and Indian Railways designated these prototypes as the WCM-2 class and [[Indian locomotive class WCM-3|WCM-3]] class respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: Locomotives - General Information - I|url=https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco.html#class|website=www.irfca.org|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref><br />
<br />
So Indian Railways decided to procure 7 3000 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 1957. These locomotives were the second mixed class electric locomotive to roam India and also had now common [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] wheel arrangement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Refer pg 260|url=https://rdso.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Data%20Book%20of%20Electric%20Locomotives%202016(3).pdf}}</ref> Initially the WCM-2 class were known as EM/2 class. They were easily recognizable with their huge size and round smooth noses. They had their cab doors placed near the cab unlike the [[Indian locomotive class WCM-1|WCM-1]] class.<br />
<br />
The WCM-2 were first used on trains in the Kolkata suburban section and a black livery with a red lining in the middle.<ref>{{Citation|title=Express train in India with commuters in the doorways, 1960's. Archive film 61232|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXR7u6UF1_U|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref> But by 1960 the Kolkata Suburban Railway was converted to 25,000 V [[Alternating current|AC]], so the 3 year old WCM-2 units were rendered unusable. So [[Research Design and Standards Organisation]] (RDSO) decided to converted the quite new locomotives to run on the 1500V DC Power supply used in [[Central Railway zone|Central Railway]] (CR) without loss of power.<br />
<br />
They began their CR zone service in 1961.The WCM-2 locomotives were used on many Express trains like the [[Deccan Queen]], [[Indrayani Express]] etc, but rarely used on Freight service. In mid 1990s the aging WCM-1 began to fail regularly causing disruption in train services. So Central Railways decided to withdraw these locomotive from services and by 2000, all units were withdrawn.<br />
<br />
== Former sheds ==<br />
<br />
* Pune<br />
* [[Electric Loco Shed, Kalyan|Kalyan]] (KYN)<br />
* All the locomotives of this class has been withdrawn from service.<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
<br />
*[[History of rail transport in India]]<br />
*[[Indian Railways]]<br />
*[[Locomotives of India]]<br />
*[[Rail transport in India]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{commons category|Indian locomotive class WCM2}}<br />
*http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-specs.html#WCM-2<br />
*[http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco2e.html]<br />
*[http://www.irfca.org India railway fan club]<br />
<br />
{{Broad gauge locomotives of India |state=collapsed}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Electric locomotives of India]]<br />
[[Category:1500 V DC locomotives]]<br />
[[Category:Co-Co locomotives]]<br />
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1961]]<br />
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge locomotives]]<br />
[[Category:English Electric locomotives]]<br />
[[Category:Vulcan Foundry locomotives]]</div>97.70.26.129