WCAM-2 locos have the same traction motors, as the WCAM-1 locos, but different circuitry and gearing. The bogies are somewhat different from those of the WCAM-1 being fabricated trimount Co-Co bogies with secondary suspension. Rated speed 105km/h in DC mode and 120km/h in AC mode. (In trials by RDSO this loco is said to have been run at speeds up to 135km/h in AC mode.) Introduced in 1995.
Almost all of these are dual-braked, but a few are equipped with air brakes only. Double-header frieghts with these locos are a common sight on the Wadala road-Kings Circle-Mahim-Bandra run. They can also be seen on the Vasai-Diva-Kalyan section which is the furthest point they operate out of WR. All the WCAM-1’s and -2’s are homed at Valsad shed in Gujarat.
Many of CR’s WCAM-2 locos were not used much in DC zones (exceptions were the CR / Bombay Port Trust’s Wadala marshalling yard a portion of which has DC traction, and for hauling the Punjab Mail in the late 1970’s) as they delivered very poor performance in DC mode and on CR’s heavy grades. Although these locos have the same traction motors as the WAM-4 and WCAM-1, the power output from the WCAM-2 locos is higher than for the WAM-4 and WCAM-1 because in those models the traction motors are underfed (3460kVA transformer in contrast to the 5400kVA transformer for WCAM-2) and do not yield their potential maximum power. Under AC traction, the WCAM-2 locos operate with all six motors in parallel (this has been enforced by modifications to these locos), while in DC mode they also operate in the all-series and series-parallel (2S 3P, i.e., three series-pairs of motors in parallel) configurations.
Recent WCAM-2’s from BHEL, including the passenger-specific version WCAM-2P, are rated 2900hp in DC mode and 4700hp in AC mode (max. speed 120km/h in AC mode). These are used by WR for fast trains, running at up to 120km/h on the Virar-Godhra AC section (Mumbai-Virar is DC but has reduced speeds because of the suburban traffic). CR has tried the WCAM-2 and WCAM-2P units but found them usable only with speed restrictions. Some WCAM-2P units have only air brakes.
With the WCAM-2 locos, MU operation is possible with up to 3-4 units.
Some of the WCAM-2 locos were originally leased to IR, ownership remaining with BHEL, the manufacturers.
Manufacturers : BHEL
Traction Motors : TAO 659 (575kW, 750V). Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
Wheelsets : Trimount fabricated bogies.
Transformer : BHEL 5400 kVA.
Rectifiers : Two silicon rectifier units D1800N44 (Siemens), 16 cells per bridge. 1000V / 3600A.
Gear Ratio : 62:15, 58:21
Length : 20950mm
Total wheelbase : 15698mm
Weight : 113t
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