Indian locomotive class WAG-9


The Indian locomotive class WAG-9 is a class of 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in the 1995 by ABB Group for Indian Railways. The model name stands for broad gauge, AC Current, Goods traffic, 9th generation locomotive. They entered service in 1996. A total of 1996 WAG-9 have been built at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, with more units being built at Diesel Locomotive Works and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. It was the most powerful freight locomotive of its fleet until the formal induction of the WAG-12.
The WAG-9 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways serving passenger trains for over 25 years. A passenger variant of the WAG-9 was developed namely the WAP-7 locomotive by modifying the gear ratio to pull lighter loads at higher speeds.

Introduction

The WAG-9 locomotive is referred to as the "Heavy Haul" freight locomotive of the Indian Railways. It was conceived in response to the extreme growth in the rail freight transportation sector, which is considered to be of great importance to the growth of the economy of India. The need for more electrification and electric locomotives in India had increased. Around 60-65% of the freight haulage of the IR takes place on the electrified section of the Golden Quadrilateral and diagonals. These are very busy routes, so clearance is a necessity. Electrical powers give it a great sectional clearance ability. Thus, these locomotives are important for the Indian Railways.
These locomotives have entered the Western Railway zone of Mumbai. The first 22 units were imported from Adtranz. Of these, the first six were fully assembled and rest were in kit form. Again in the kit form, seven were completely knocked down and the rest were partially assembled. CLW started producing these traction motors on 1 November 1999. The units built by ABB have double-pan pantographs while the CLW built units have single pan pantographs which are common in India. This class had a capacity to MU several units, but IR restricts them to two, because of dynamic loading restriction on most bridges. Regenerative brakes provide about 260 kN of braking effort.
The WAG-9H also has different application software than the WAG-9. The first WAG-9H was commissioned on 30 June 2000. The #30130 prototype was housed at Gomoh. This was then converted back to standard WAG-9 in 2002. This unit has a livery of twin white stripes on green, instead of yellow stripe on green, seen on the other WAG-9s.
The WAG-9i was introduced in 2010, and was #31215. It was homed at the GMO shed. With IGBT, even if one traction motor failed, other traction motors can function with a total output of 5500 hp.
Newer WAG-9 units have "CLW Glorious 50 years" marked on their sides. Some WAG-9s are fitted with a solid cowcatcher while others are fitted with grilled cowcatchers. Some have American style flasher lamps while others have Indian style flasher lamps. http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Study_Material/TSD_3Ph.pdf.
Newer versions of the WAG-9 feature full Insulated-gate bipolar transistor traction control; the debut model was the WAG-9 31248. The class as a whole is denoted by the WAG-9i prefix in its model number, although there is a technical variant of this class named WAG-9H, with the "H" meaning "Heavy".
The WAG-9H/9Hi locomotives are the second heaviest in regular service in India, the only freight-dedicated three-phase AC locomotives in the country, and the only electric locomotives in India fitted with IGBT. They are also the freight locomotives with the highest operational speed in India.
It is similar to the WAP-7 class locomotive but features a different gear ratio, which makes it suitable for heavy freight operations. In November 1998, the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works started producing these with indigenous components. The first of which, named Navyug, was produced on 14 November 1998. Like the WAP-5 units, the WAG-9 has GTO thyristor converters and three-phase asynchronous motors.

Operations

WAG-9 has quickly become one of the important locos in the Indian railways. With its higher power, this locomotive has replaced WAG-7 which was the main electric loco before WAG-9's arrival. Applications where twin WAG-7s were required are now handled by a single WAG-9. This includes both leading a long consist and for banking operations. The regenerative braking capabilities of WAG-9 has also helped reduce the electricity consumption. The original WAG-9 had some wheel slippage incidents while hauling heavy load. This was rectified through the introduction of WAG-9H and subsequently using WAG-9i. This has significantly reduced the issue that were associated with the original version.

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works turned out its first 9,000 hp WAG-9 freight locomotive on 31 March 2019, the last day of the financial year. This 9,000 hp version of the WAG-9H has been classified by IR as WAG-9 HH. The first H stands for higher axle load and the second H stands for the higher power rating. The class has been allocated a block of serial numbers starting with 90001, the number of the first unit. The decision to upgrade the power output of the WAG-9 was taken to partly meet the demands of the upcoming electrified Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. The upgraded locomotive class will also augment hauling capacity on the existing network of the Indian Railways.

Future Developments

WAG-9s are modified to have high-reach pantographs. This is to enable them carry double-stack containers in electrified sections. In such sections, the Overhead wires are placed in a higher position.

WAG-9HH:
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works turned out its first 9,000 hp WAG-9 freight locomotive on 31st March 2019, the last day of the financial year.This 9,000 hp version of the WAG-9H has been classified by IR as WAG-9 HH. The first H stands for higher axle load and the second H stands for the higher power rating. The class has been allocated a block of serial numbers starting with 90001, the number of the first unit.

Locomotive sheds

Named Locos

Two WAG-9 class units can haul a load of on grades of 1 in 60. The WAG-9H was expected to haul 58 BOXN wagons, i.e.,, without multiple units on grades of 1 in 150. The locomotive can run even in 100% humidity, or in deserts, where there is high saturation of conductive particles. For shunting up to, it can haul on grades of 1 in 1000 or less. The atmosphere may be humid and salty. Regenerative braking will provide braking force of no less than at and closer to at higher speeds. Below is the capacity of the WAG-9 while hauling BOX wagons (in tonnes

Gallery

Technical specifications

The WAG-9 technical specifications are:
Traction MotorsABB's 6FRA 6068 Axle-hung, nose-suspended, Class 200 Insulation, Forced Air Ventilation
Gear Ratio77:15 / 64:18 / 107:21
TransformerABB's LOT 6500, Class A Insulation, OFAF cooling, Primary, Secondary rating, Auxiliary, Filter,
2 Power DrivesWAG-9/9H : Power converter from ABB, type UW-2423-2810 with SG 3000G X H24 GTO thyristors, 14 thyristors per unit, OFAF cooling. Line converter rated at 2 x 1269V @ 50 Hz, with DC link voltage of 2800V. Motor/drive converter rated at 2180 V phase to phase, 971 A output current per phase, motor frequency from 0 to 132 Hz.
WAG-9i : IGBT based alternatives from Bombardier and Crompton Greaves-CAF Power
Bogies.
Drive ArrangementGear Pinion
2 HCBO-605-115 type Traction Motor Blowers by Flakt and ABB and
Traction Motor Blower Motors of 200L55-RFXH2A-D1 type by Landert3 phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, 2930 rpm, and Class F insulation
2 Oil Cooler Blowers by Behr.
Oil Cooler Blower Motors of 200L55-RH2A type by Landert3 phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, 2930 rpm, and Class F insulation
2 TAO8-2174/15 type Transformer Oil Pumps by Fumettaz
Transformer Oil Pump Motors by Landert of 112M-2B type3 phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, 2930 rpm, and Class F insulation
2 TC10-2185/29 type Converter Oil Pumps by Plumettaz
112M-2F type Converter Oil Pump Motors by Landert3 phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, 2860 rpm,., and Class F insulation
2 2A3200 C13-T32 type Main Compressors by D&M,,, and,
Main Compressor Motors of 200l55-RPAH8B type by Landert3 phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, 730 rpm,, and Class H insulation
2 HCBO-415-60 type Machine Room Blowers by Flakt and ABB,, 415 VAC and maximum temperature rise of
132M-RFXHE2C type Machine Room Blower Motors by Landert1 phase, 415 V, 50 Hz, 2830 rpm, and Class F insulation
FF 3145 type Auxiliary Compressor by D&M and Bristol and
Auxiliary Compressor Motor by D&M110 V DC, 50 Hz, 1450 rpm and
Ni-Cd type Battery by Saft Groupe S.A. and Nife110 V DC + 20% / -30%, 5 hrs discharging and 78 cells
BUR 10 A 100 LVPS type Auxiliary Converter by ABB3 phase, 415 V and 100 kVA
Nominal supply voltage22.5 kV
Normal variation in supply voltage19-27.5 kV
Occasional maximum voltage31 kV
Occasional minimum voltage16.5 kV
Variation in supply frequencyMore or less 8%
Distance between neutral section
Types of neutral section, insulated overlap on both ends and neutral wire which is not earthed OR
, insulated portion of Polytetrafluoroethylene on both sides and middle portion of neutral section which is solidly earthed
Pantograph bounce<
Devices on the trackTracks should have DC track circuits. Devices such as axle counters, block instruments and point machines may be employed
Communication networkControl circuits, teleprinter circuits, VHF/UHF and micro-wave circuits may be employed
Temperature of atmosphere
Temperature of atmosphere in direct sunlight
Temperature of atmosphere in shade
Temperature inside dead locomotive while exposed to direct sunlight
Dust concentration in terrainUp to
Operation in floodAt with water of above rail level
pH value in atmosphere8.5
Sulphate in atmosphere
Chlorine in atmosphere
Conductivity in atmosphere130 micro Siemens/cm
Altitude of operationBetween above sea level and sea level
Vibration in traction motors300 g
Starting resistance of BOXN wagons excluding locomotive on level track4 kg/ton
Starting resistance of locomotive on level track6 kg/ton
Rate of change of tractive effort20 kN/sec
Rate of change of braking effort100 kN/sec
Efficiency of line converter at continuous speed for full load97%
Buffing load
Ground clearance above rail with full load and full worn wheels
Traveling distance annually
Life35 years
Sandboxes each
Max difference in diameter of wheels on the same axle
Max difference in wheels of the same bogie
Overall max difference of diameter of wheels
Train brakes, 35% adhesion
Parking brake force
Auxiliary reservoir
Scavenge blower to traction motor blower
Oil cooling unit
Scavenge blower to machine room blower and 415 V AC
Cubicle auxiliary circuits 1
Cubicle control circuits 1
Central electronics 1
Main reservoir
Central Electronics 2
Cubicle control circuits 2
Cubicle auxiliary circuits 2
Filter cubicle
Cab heater and crew fans110 VAC
Fire alarm1170 Hz
Dials illumination level10-90%
Heater capacity