The Indian locomotive class WAG-6A is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in the 1988 by Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), AC Current (A), Goods (G) engine, 6th generation (6) First variant (A). They entered service in 1988. A total of 6 WAG-6A were built at ASEA, Sweden between 1987 and 1988. they were the most powerful locomotives in India until the arrival of the WAG-9 class.

Indian locomotive class WAG–6A
Twin WAG-6A locomotives with a BCNA freight train
Type and origin Power type Electric Designer ASEA, Brown, Boveri & Cie Builder ASEA, Brown, Boveri & Cie Order number 85/RSF/459/2/(LT-33) Build date 1988-89 Total produced 6
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo'Bo'Bo'  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo-Bo Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Bogies 2 axle double stage field excitation Wheel diameter New: 1,029 mm (3 ft 5 in) Half-worn: 1,052 mm (3 ft 5+1⁄2 in) Full-worn:1,012 mm (3 ft 4 in) Wheelbase 2,700 mm (8 ft 10 in) Length: ​  • Over beams 20,600 mm (67 ft 7 in)  • Body 19,300 mm (63 ft 4 in) Width 3,184 mm (10 ft 5+1⁄4 in) Height 4,170 mm (13 ft 8 in) Frame type 2 axle double stage field excitation Axle load 20.5 tonnes (20.2 long tons; 22.6 short tons) ±2% Loco weight 123 tonnes (121 long tons; 136 short tons) ±1% Power supply 110 V DC Electric system/s 25 kV AC Overhead Current pickup(s) pantograph Traction motors ASEA L3 M 450-2 MU working 2 units Loco brake Air, Dynamic braking Train brakes Air Safety systems Slip control, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Earth fault relay, Low pressure governor, Train parting alarms, and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures Maximum speed 120.7 km/h (75 mph) upgradable to 160 km/h (99 mph) Power output: ​  • Starting Max:6,200 hp (4,620 kW)  • 1 hour Max:6,110 hp (4,560 kW)  • Continuous Max:6,000 hp (4,470 kW) Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 32,000 kgf (310 kN)  • 1 hour 32,000 kgf (310 kN)  • Continuous 28,200 kgf (280 kN) Factor of adh. 0.25
Career Operators Indian Railways Numbers 26000-26005 Locale Kothavalasa–Kirandul line Delivered December 1987 ( First unit) January 1988 (remaining 5) First run 1988 Last run 7 June 2015 Retired 7 August 2015 Withdrawn 7 August 2015 Preserved 1 earmarked Scrapped From 2007 to 2015 Current owner Indian Railways Disposition All except 2 locomotive scrapped

These locomotives are now withdrawn from service with 1 unit earmarked for preservation.

History

The history of WAG-6A begins in early 1980s with the aim of addressing the shortcomings of the previous WAG-1, WAG-2, WAG-3, WAG-4 and WAG-5 classes and remove steam locomotives from IR by a target date of 1990.[1] The WAG-5 were a great successes but these locomotives were based on 1960s technology and fast became underpowered for the expanding Indian railways. So Indian Railways decided to look for a new locomotive.[2] At that time (1980s) Thyristor controller was vastly used by locomotive in many European rail networks while 3 Phase AC technology was still in its infancy. So the ministry of railways floated a tender for a 6000HP locomotive with Thyristor control. The following responses were received:

• ASEA submitted their model with 6000 hp with Bo-Bo-Bo bogies and Thyristor chopper control.
• Hitachi submitted their model with 6000 hp with Bo-Bo-Bo bogies and Thyristor chopper control
• Hitachi also submitted their model with 6000 hp with Co-Co- bogies and Thyristor chopper control

Each company submitted their prototypes and Indian Railways designated these prototypes as the WAG-6A class WAG-6B class and WAG-6C class respectively.[3] IR ordered 6 of each class and these were delivered in 1988.[4]

Specification

• Manufacturer: ASEA ( WAG 6A )
• Build dates: 1988–89
• Wheel arrangement: Bo-Bo-Bo
• Traction Motors: ASEA make (WAG-6A), L3 M 450–2. Six motors, fully suspended, force-ventilated, separately excited, 3100 kg.
• Transformer: (WAG-6A) ASEA: TMZ 21, 7533 kVA.
• Thyristor controller: (WAG-6A) 24 YST 45-26P24C thyristors each with 24 YSD35-OIP26 diodes, 2 x 511 V, 2 x 4500 A.
• Pantographs: (WAG-6A) Two Stemman BS 95.

Locomotive shed

See also

• Indian Railways
• Rail transport in India#History
• Locomotives of India
• Rail transport in India

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian locomotive class WAG6.

• Specifications
• India railway fan club
• IR WAG-6 @ Trainspo
• IT Locomotive Numbers