Indian locomotive class WAG-5

WAG-5
Arakkonam based WAG-5 twins at Avadi.
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 produced1196
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 AC Overhead
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
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[citation needed]
LocaleAll over India
Dispositionactive

The Indian locomotive class WAG-5 is a class of 25 kV AC electric 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 1196 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 the WAG-5 locomotives are rapidly being withdrawn from mainline duties and scrapped.