May 2, 2010 (Mainline operations)
May 8, 2012 (Shunting)
Retired
August, 2012
Preserved
20108 - at CLW Loco Park, 20158 - at CSMT Heritage Gully
Scrapped
August, 2012
Disposition
Two preserved, remainder scrapped
The Indian locomotive class WCG-2 (colloquially also known as Howlers due to very noisy blowers[according to whom?]) is a class of 1.5 kVDCelectric locomotives that was developed in the late 1960s by Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge (W), DC Current (C), Goods traffic (G) engine, 2nd generation (2). They entered service in February 1971. A total of 57 WCG-2 were built at CLW between 1978 and 1983, which made them the most numerous class of DC electric locomotive.
The WCG-2 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways[peacock prose] having served both passenger and freight trains for over 40 years. They were famously known for doing passenger duties and banking duties in the Bhor and Thull ghats. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives and conversion of Central Railways to 25 kVAC, the WCG-2 locomotives were withdrawn from mainline duties, with two of the locomotives being preserved.