Indian locomotive class WDM-3A

The Indian locomotive class WDM-3A is a class of diesel–electric locomotive that was developed in 1993 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Diesel (D), Mixed traffic (M) engine, with 3300 horsepower (3A). The WDM-3A is a later classification of earlier WDM-2C. They entered service in 1994. A total of 143+ were built at ALCO and Banaras Locomotive Works between 1994 and 2003 with rest of the 1246 units being rebuild from WDM-2 which made them the most numerous class of mainline diesel locomotive until the WDG-4.

This article is about the WDM-2 based locomotive series.. For the original Diesel–hydraulic WDM-3, see Indian locomotive class WDM-3.

WDM-3A
Freshly repainted Ratlam-based WDM-3A resting at Ghaziabad Jn.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel
BuilderBanaras Locomotive Works, Diesel-Loco Modernisation Works
ModelALCO DL560C variant
Build date1994–2015
Total producedWDM-3A: 1402
RebuilderDiesel-Loco Modernisation Works, Patiala
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
BogiesALCO Asymmetric cast frame trimount
Wheel diameter1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Wheelbase12.834 m (42 ft 1+1⁄4 in)
Length17.12 m (56 ft 2 in)
Width2.864 m (9 ft 4+3⁄4 in)
Height4.185 m (13 ft 8+3⁄4 in)
Axle load18,800 kg (41,400 lb)
Loco weight112.8 t (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal)
Prime moverALCO 251-C
RPM range400 - 1050 rpm
Engine typeV16 Diesel engine
AspirationABB VTC304-15 or Napier NA 295 IR turbocharger
Traction motorsBharat Heavy Electricals TA 10102 CW (new), BHEL TG 10931 AZ(old)
Cylinders16
Cylinder size228 mm × 266 mm (8.98 in × 10.47 in)
bore x stroke
TransmissionDiesel–electric
MU working2
Train brakesAir, Vacuum and Dual
Performance figures
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Power outputWDM-3A: 3100 HP, WDM-3D: 3300 HP, WDM-3E: 3500 HP, WDM-3F: 3600 HP.
Tractive effort30.45 t (30 long tons; 34 short tons)
Factor of adh.0.27
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers13xxx, 14001-14057, 14058-14143, 16000-, few in 18xxx series and 17xxx series
NicknamesCheetah, Prabal, Velociti, Awadh, Firex, Sher Punjab, Veer
LocaleAll over Indian Railways
Preserved1
Dispositionactive

The WDM-3A is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways serving both passenger and freight trains for over 26 years. A few WDM-3A units were exported to neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Despite the introduction of more modern types of locomotives like WDG-4 and electrification, a significant number are still in use, both in mainline and departmental duties. As of April 2022, 769 locomotives still retain "operational status" on the mainline as WDM-3A, with further examples having been converted back to WDM-2 or WDM-2S. The loco is now widely used across India for long-distance passenger trains due to its ruggedness and high tractive loads and acceleration.

History
WDM-3A with Padatik Express
A WDM-3A loco from Gooty Loco Shed hauling an Express train
Baldie

The first one was delivered on August 22, 1994, It was then WDM-2C.[1][2] First 57 units produced till March 1996 (Indian Railway road number 14001–14057) had rounded front hood profile similar to contemporary newer classes of locos built by DLW (WDG3A and WDP1).

After that there was a gap of long four years in the WDM-3A production line in BLW. These units have been retro-fitted with dual brakes, in addition to the air and vacuum brakes. The WDM-3A locos have a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). The gear ratio is 65:18.[3] These new locomotives had their control stand shifted to the left side of the cabin. Meanwhile, Diesel Loco Modernization Works (erstwhile Diesel Modification Works which again was known as Diesel Component Works) in Patiala started rebuilding the existing WDM-2 locomotives, which had reached midlife, with upgraded power-packs. DLMW Patiala re-calibrates the power-pack and upgrades the output power rating to 3100HP.[4] DLW again started building WDM-3A from the year 2000 and continued till the end of 2002 with locomotive road numbers in the range 14058–14143. All the locomotives rebuilt by DLMW and later batch from DLW had regular WDM-2 type square short hood profile and control stand position. DLW again built WDM-3A variant locomotives, during 2005–2006, in the road number range 14144-14167 which were classified as WDM-3B due to their difference in bogie design from classic ALCo asymmetrical trimount to HAHS design which was employed in WDG2 and later WDM-3D classes too. Most of the WDM-B were later converted to WDM-3D.

In 2011, DLMW rebuilt locomotive number 16502 as WDM-3A and equipped it with an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system jointly developed by Engine Research Laboratory of IIT Kanpur, Engine Development Directorate of RDSO, and DLMW Patiala.[5] DLMW continues to rebuild WDM-2 as WDM-3A and recently they have started rebuilding the DLW built WDM-3A too when they reach their midlife. Recent rebuilt locomotives are rated at 3300 HP, and from 2009 onward they are equipped with Daulat Ram DBR, and since 2014 they are also equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) in the short hood.[6] Some rebuilt locomotives have Co-Co-fabricated ATHS (Advanced Trimount High Speed) bogies instead of ALCo cast-iron type.[7] All the rebuilt WDM-3A bear the "-R" suffix to their road numbers.

In 2012 Bangladesh Railway ordered 26 WDM-3A from DLW. They are classified as Class 6500 there. These units, however, lack the dynamic braking which happens to be an essential component in their Indian counterparts.

Bangladeshi Counterpart of WDM-3A

Sub-classes

WDM-3C

The WDM-3C were just upgraded and more powerful WDM-3As with the ALCO engine gain rebuilt to output 3300 hp. It was the first follow-up experiment after the WDM-3A to squeeze more power out of the ALCO engine, an intermediary that would later lead to the development of the WDM-3D. Not many were produced, all of which were rebuilds of the WDM-2 or WDM-3A and were identical to the previous variants in every aspect. They can no longer be found over the railway network as all of them have been rebuilt into the WDM-3A or WDM-2 type.[8]

Locomotive sheds
ZoneNameShed codeQuantity
Central RailwayPunePA3
Eastern RailwayHowrahHWH9
BardhamanBWN46
AndalUDL6
JamalpurJMP22
East Central RailwayPatratuPTRU12
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn. DDU12
SamastipurSPJ14
East Coast RailwayVisakhapatnamVSKP15
Northern RailwayTughlakabadTKD26
LudhianaLDH74
LucknowLKO16
North Central RailwayJhansiJHS13
North Eastern RailwayGondaGD3
IzzatnagarIZN64
Northeast Frontier RailwayMalda TownMLDT42
GuwahatiNGC15
North Western RailwayAbu RoadABR56
Southern RailwayErodeED2
ErnakulamERS30
Golden RockGOC17
TondiarpetTNP7
South Central RailwayGootyGY3
GuntakalGTL21
Moula AliMLY40
VijayawadaBZA15
South Eastern RailwayBondamundaBNDM30
South East Central RailwayRaipurR26
South Western RailwayKrishnarajapuramKJM17
Western RailwayRatlamRTM14
VatvaVTA35
West Central RailwayItarsiET50
New Katni JunctionNKJ14
Total locomotives active as of 01-04-2022[9][10]769

Technical specifications

Technical details are as follows:[11][12]

Manufacturers DLW, DLMW (DMW/DCW)
Engine Alco 251-C, 16 cylinder, 3,300 hp (2,500 kW), earlier 3,100 hp (2,300 kW) (3,007 hp or 2,242 kW site rating, earlier 2,900 hp (2,200 kW)) with Napier NA2951R/ ABB VTC-304-VG15/ GE 7s 1716 turbo supercharged engine. 1,050 rpm max, 400 rpm idle; 228.6 mm × 266.7 mm (9.00 in × 10.50 in) bore x stroke; compression ratio 12.5:1. Direct fuel injection, centrifugal pump cooling system (2,457 L/min (540 imp gal/min; 649 US gal/min) at 1,050 rpm), fan driven by eddy current clutch (90 hp or 67 kW at 1,050 rpm)
Governor EDC / Woodward 8574-650
Transmission Electric, with BHEL TA 10102 CW alternator (1,050 rpm, 1100 V, 4,400 amperes) (Earlier used BHEL TG 10931 AZ alternator)
Traction motors BHEL TM 4906 AZ/ 4907 BZ (435 hp or 324 kW) (with roller bearings)
Axle load 18.8 tonnes (18.5 long tons; 20.7 short tons), total weight 112.8 t (111.0 long tons; 124.3 short tons)
Bogies Alco design cast frame asymmetric trimount (Co-Co) bogies
Starting TE 30.45 t (29.97 long tons; 33.57 short tons) at adhesion 27%, continuous 28.05 t (27.61 long tons; 30.92 short tons)
Length over buffer beams 15,862 mm (52 ft 1⁄2 in)
Distance between bogies 10,516 mm (34 ft 6 in)

See also

References
  1. "IR History: Part - V (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 WDM-3A". Indian Railways Fan Club.
  4. (PDF). Indian Railways http://www.dmw.indianrailways.gov.in/works/uploads/File/Company%20Profile.pdf. Retrieved 2 March 2018. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Direction Article Development of EFI for 204-stroke locomotive diesel engine" (PDF). iitk.ac.in. Indian Railways. 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. "Company Profile" (PDF). indianrailways.gov.in. Indian Railways. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  7. "Motive Power" (PDF). indianrailways.gov.in. RDSO. 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  8. "Diesel Loco Roaster WDM(ALCO) series". 30 October 2013.
  9. "Railway Website Mechanical Department". Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  10. https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/mec_engg/downloads/freight/2021/Diesel%20loco%20availability%20targets%20for%20June%202021.pdf
  11. "Diesel Locomotive Classes – Broad Gauge". Indian Railways Fan Club.
  12. "Diagram Book of WDM2C Locomotive" (PDF). RDSO.
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