Indian locomotive class WAG-5

WAG-5
Arakkonam based WAG-5HA twins hauling freight train near Thiruvallur.
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderChittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
Build date
  • Original: 1978–1998
  • WAG-5A: 1983–1988
  • WAG-5B: 1978–1983
Total produced1,196
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICCo′Co′
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
BogiesALCO Asymmetric cast frame trimount
Wheel diameter
  • New: 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)
Length17.162 m (56 ft 3+1116 in)
Width3.055 m (10 ft 14 in)
Height1.997 m (6 ft 6+58 in)
Axle load20 tonnes (20 long tons; 22 short tons)
Loco weight119 tonnes (117 long tons; 131 short tons)
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz ACOverhead
Current pickupPantograph
Traction motorsAlstom TAO 659/Hitachi HS15250A
MU working4
Loco brakeAir/Hand
Train brakesAir, Dual and Vacuum
Safety systemsSlip control, Main overload relay, Over voltage relay, No volt relay, Earth fault relay, Low pressure governor, Train parting alarms, Vigilance Control Device (VCD) and Brake cylinder cutoff valve
Performance figures
Maximum speed105 km/h (65 mph) 100 km/h (62 mph)80 km/h (50 mph)
Power outputContinuous: 3,850 hp (2,870 kW)
Tractive effort:
 • Starting37,500 kgf (370 kN)
 • Continuous33,600 kgf (330 kN)
Factor of adh.0.29
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Numbers21100–21153, 23000–23999, 24000–24075, 24401-24466
NicknamesKrishnaveni, Navdoot, Minkalan, Pasumai, Priyadarshini, Basanti, Srilata, Nouvion, Gurudev, Chetak, Nasbandhi, Janmashati, Ajay, Kirtimaan, Cheetah
LocaleAll over India
DispositionActive

The Indian locomotive class WAG-5 is a class of 25 kVACelectric locomotives that was developed in 1978 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), alternating current (A), goods traffic (G) engine, 5th generation (5). They entered service in 1980. A total of 1,196 WAG-5 were built at CLW and BHEL between 1978 and 1998, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric locomotive until the introduction of its successor, the WAG-7.

The WAG-5 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways currently serving both freight and passenger trains for over 43 years. This class provided the basic design for a number of other locomotives, like WAG-7 and the WCM-6. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives like WAG-9 and WAG-12, the WAG-5 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller passenger trains and now the aging fleet of WAG-5 locomotives is rapidly being withdrawn from mainline duties and scrapped.

Subclasses and modifications

The WAG-5A and WAG-5H(x) variants are fitted with Alstom and Hitachi traction motors respectively,[1] whereas the WAG-5B are units converted from the WAM-4, and the WAG-5P(x) is a subclass specialised for passenger duties. The WAG-5(x)D and WAG-5(x)E are respectively fitted with dual and air brakes. WAG-5RH and WAG-5HR are fitted with rheostatic or friction braking. Another variant is WAG-5HG. The units with additional '6P' markings have parallel grouped traction motors. BHEL-built units are classified as WAG-5HB. Some units are fitted with Static Converter (STC), Microprocessor, Dynamic brake resistors (DBR) and SI unit.

Due to the advent of the WAG-7 and WAG-9 locomotives, the WAG-5s, except WAG-5HA/HB variants, occasionally hauled passenger trains despite being designed for freight haulage. WAG-5HB is homed at Jhansi shed near BHEL's installations for maintenance purposes. WAG-5 has a shell of the WAM-4. Units numbered until 23293 have side louvre and round glass windows like the WAM-4, and units after 23293 have louvres similar to those fitted to the WAG-7 for better ventilation. Recently, WAG-5 have been fitted with data loggers.

Due to the decline of tap changer control suppliers, unit 23026 was selected by RDSO for the adoption of thyristor controlled electricals in 1995. The project began in 1992, with the new prototype system, built in collaboration with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, was fitted in the locomotive between 1997 and 1998. Due to several problems such as interference with signalling equipment, the project was ceased in 1999, and the engine was rebuilt to original WAG-5 and designated as WAG-5P.

WAG-5 idling at the Ammuguda Bye pass line

Technical specification

Traction Motors Alstom TAO 659 (575 kW, 750 V, 1070 rpm) or TAO 656; or Hitachi HS 15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended. Six motors.
Gear Ratio 62:16 or 62:15 with Alstom motors, some 64:18 (Hitachi motors), many now 58:21 for mixed use. There are also 17:77
Transformer BHEL, type HETT-3900. 3900 kVA, 22.5 kV, 182 A. 32 taps, 11730 kg, Forced oil cooling, 'A' Insulation.
Rectifiers Silicon rectifiers (two) using 64 S-18FN-350 diodes each from Hind Rectifier. 2700 A / 1050 V per cubicle. 64 cells per bridge. Starting current at 3300 A. Motor (380 V, 970-1460 RPM)
Max Haulage capacity 2375 t (WAG-5 original)
Pantographs Two Faiveley AM-12 of 285 kg with four insulators
Current Ratings 1100 A / 10 min, 750 A continuous
Sandboxes 8
Auxiliaries 2 Head lights (32 V, 250 W), Lead-acid Battery (50 cells, 110 V)
3 Elgi Compressors 3 motors (12.5 hp, 380 V)
2 SF India Ltd. Traction Motor blowers MLBR-42.51-1-H4 type, 2 Siemens Motors (22 kW, 380 V, 41 A, 3000 rpm)
2 SF India Ltd. Smoothing reactor blower 2 motors(3 hp, 380V, 2860rpm)
BHEL Breaking resistor blower Dy-3423M type, Moto r(532 kW, 70 hp, 325 V, 175 A, 3500 rpm)
2 SF India Ltd. Silicon rectifier blower Axial type
SF India Ltd. Oil cooler blower MLBH-60-1-H2 type, 22.2 m/hr, Motor (30 hp, 380 V, 6.6 A, 2865 rpm)
2 Smoothing reactors SL42 type, 1250 V, 950 A, 0.00718 ohms at 110 °C
BEST & Co. Pvt. Ltd. Oil pump for transformer Motor (3.3 kW, 380 V, 6.6 A, 2865 rpm)

Locomotive sheds

Zone Name Shed Code Quantity
WAG-5 WAG-5H
Central RailwayBhusawalBSLL 57
Eastern RailwayBardhamanBWNX 14 29
JamalpurJMPD 3 1
East Coast RailwayVisakhapatnamWATE 36
North Central RailwayJhansiJHSE 86
North Eastern RailwayGondaGDDX 21
Northern RailwayGhaziabadGZBE 1
LucknowAMVD 19
Southern RailwayArakkonamAJJE 13
ErodeEDDX 51
South Central RailwayVijayawadaBZAE 35
South Eastern RailwayBondamundaBNDL 2
Western RailwayRatlamRTMD 77
West Central RailwayItarsiETD 55 49
New Katni Jn.NKJD 64
Total Locomotives Active as of January 2026[2]239 367

See also

References