Indian locomotive class WAG-11
Indian Railway freight class twin section cab electric locomotive
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The Indian locomotive class WAG-11 is a class of twin-section 25 kV AC electric locomotives that was developed in 2018 by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi for Indian Railways. This freight engine has been designed for a speed of 105 km/h and weighs 252 tons. It is equipped with a three-phase induction motor, four power converters and regenerative as well as pneumatic braking system.[1] The model name stands for broad gauge (W), Alternating Current (A), Goods traffic (G), and 11th in series (11). They entered trials service in 2019. A total of 4 WAG-11 pairs have been built by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi.
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BNDM based WAG-11 (no. 29004) at BLW yard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| currently undergoing trials | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of January 2023, 4 locomotives are built and are undergoing "testing", with further examples being converted from WDG-4 to WAG-11.
History
The history of WAG-11 begins in the early 2017 with the stated aim of the Indian Railways to minimize the dependence on diesel locomotives in Indian Railways after recommendation of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).[2][3] The committee recommended that Expansion of electrified routes across the country will also help in reducing energy cost.[4] Therefore, a large number of WDG-4 diesel locomotives would become surplus after full electrification.[5] Thus Indian Railways decided to convert existing WDG-4 locomotives which needed midlife overhaul into the WAG-11 electric locomotive class.
The same old GT46MAC (WDG-4) traction motors are being used for WAG-11. The locomotives had GTO propulsion, a few parts can not be leveraged for the rebuilt to IGBT technology. However, since the power supply now comes from the WAG9 transformer / control, ABB has been updating its WAG9 control software for the EMD 3 phase traction motors for best results.[6] As a result, the diesel power pack of the locomotive will be decommissioned and used as spare parts for interim use since there are still 150+ more GTO WDG-4 in use.
The first WAG-11 unit was allocated TKD for trials and performance monitoring.[7] They are fitted with high rise pantographs and have regenerative braking.[8] After initial testing another unit was built and these 2 locomotives were transferred to Bondamuda (BNDM) for examining working conditions hauling heavy load goods trains.[9] The third prototype pair came out of DLW shop but this pair is different from the previous two pairs because both of the locos have twin cabs and twin pantographs and are separately numbered: 29003 and 29004. It looks like they can be separately operated like any regular WAG-9. Also the height and construct of these two locos are extremely similar to WAG-9s.
Difference
There are quite a few differences between the two earlier prototypes of WAG-11 and 29003/29004. They are in the following lines:[10]
- Instead of an articulated design, DLW made both locos as twin cab locos (they may be able to independently operated after decoupling)
- Two pantographs each on both the locos - making is 4 pantographs for 29003 unit
- The loco shell is placed at the same height as a WAP-7/WAG-9 and is carefully covering the chassis. In earlier versions, the EMD chassis / under-frame was used and was visible. 29003/29004 almost looks like they are made on WAG-9 chassis / under-frame and EMD bogies/traction motors have been used.
- The cow-catcher is new and of typical WAP-7/WAG-9 net design. The solid EMD cowcatcher has been discontinued.
- On top of the cabs, either a dynamic brake radiator or rooftop AC has been installed.
Units
| No | Current class | locomotive number | Previous class and Road no | Previous shed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WAG-11 | 29001 (pair) | WDG-4 (12011 & 12018) | Hubli (UBL) | Currently undergoing trials[as of?] |
| 2 | WAG-11 | 29002 (pair) | WDG-4 (12014 & 12017) | Hubli (UBL) | Currently undergoing trials[as of?] |
| 3 | WAG-11 | 29003 (single) | WDG-4 (12012) | Hubli (UBL) | Currently undergoing trials[as of?] |
| 4 | WAG-11 | 29004 (single) | WDG-4 (12013) | Hubli (UBL) | Currently undergoing trials[as of?] |
| S.N. | Version 1 (29001) | Version 2 (29002) | Version 3 (29003/29004) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transformer mounted on board. | Transfer under slung mounted. | Transfer under slung mounted. |
| 2 | Transformer common to WAP-7/WAG-9. | New design transformer used. | Transformer common to WAG-9. |
| 3 | New equipment layout in which both power converters were on left side of loco. One before transformer other behind it. | Equipment layout similar to WAG-9. Both power converters centrally placed above the transformer. | Equipment layout similar to WAG-9. |
| 4 | Under slung battery box of WAG-9/WAP-7 used. | Battery placed on board. | Under slung battery box of WAG-9/WAP-7 used. |
| 5 | One end cab used. | One end cab used. | Both end cab with HVAC as in WAG-9. |
| 6 | Side wall modified from WAP-7 side wall and length increased by approx 3 metres. | Side wall modified from WAP-7 side wall and length increased by approx 3 metres. | Side wall and both cabs same as in WAG-9. |
| 7 | Roofs made in 5 parts due to location of power converter and MMD height. | Roof made in 4 parts only as both the traction converters are placed centrally. | Roof in 3 parts same as in WAP-7/WAG-9. |
| 8 | Underframe made by modifying WGD-4 underframe. | Underframe made by modifying WGD-4 underframe. | Underframe made by modifying WAP-7 underframe. |
Advantages of WAG-11 (version 3) over WAG-11 with modified under-slung transformer:
| |||
| 1 | Type of Service | Freight |
| 2 | Axle Arrangement | Twin Co-Co |
| 3 | Horse power | 2x6000 HP |
| 4 | Tractive effort (Stall, Continuous) | 2x540 KN (Stall), 2x400 KN (Continuous) |
| 5 | Speed Potential | 95 kmph (As per final speed certificate) |
| 6 | Gear Ratio | 17:90 |
| 7 | Length over buffer | 2x21244 mm |
| 8 | Overall width | 3180 mm |
| 9 | Max. height with pantograph locked | 4255 mm |
| 10 | Total weight | 2x126 T |
| 11 | Traction Motor | 2x6 nos, 3-phase induction motor |
| 12 | Power of TM (KW) | 703 (Continuous), 758 (one hour rating) |
| 13 | Braking | Regenerative, Pneumatic |
| 14 | Braking effort | 2x270 KN |
| 15 | Power supply to aux 1, 2, 3 converter | 415 V +/- 10%, 0 to 50 Hz |
| 16 | Battery voltage | 110 V |
| 17 | Power supply to TM | 2180 V |
| 18 | No of power converters | 2 |
For Conversion
Railway Board sent a circular to identify 16 WDG-4 locos that would be converted to WAG-11 during the financial year 2020–2021.[13]
| No | locomotives class | Previous shed | locomotive number | Status | ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12002 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by NR | [14] |
| 2. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12003 | conversion scheduled for March 2020 | [15] |
| 3. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12004 | conversion scheduled for March 2020 | [16] |
| 4. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12005 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by NR | [17] |
| 5. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12006 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by NR | [18] |
| 6. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12007 | converted to WAG-11 #29002 | [19] |
| 7. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12008 | conversion scheduled for March 2020 | [20] |
| 8. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12009 | conversion scheduled for March 2020 | [21] |
| 9. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12010 | scheduled for March 2020 | [22] |
| 10. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12011 | converted to 'WAG-11' #29001 | [23] |
| 11. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12012 | converted to 'WAG-11' #29003 | [24] |
| 12. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12013 | converted to 'WAG-11' #29004 | [25] |
| 13. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12014 | converted to 'WAG-11' #29002 | [26] |
| 14. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12015 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR | [27] |
| 15. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12016 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR | [28] |
| 16. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12017 | converted to 'WAG-11' #29002 | [29] |
| 17. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12018 | converted to 'WAG-11' #29001 | [30] |
| 18. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12019 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR | [31] |
| 19. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12020 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR | [32] |
| 20. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12021 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR | [33] |
| 21. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12022 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER | [34] |
| 22. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12023 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER | [35] |
| 23. | WDG-4 | Hubli (UBL) | 12024 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER | [36] |
| 24. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12025 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR | [37] |
| 25. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12026 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR | [38] |
| 26. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12027 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR | [39] |
| 27. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12028 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR | [40] |
| 28. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12029 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR | [41] |
| 29. | WDG-4 | Krishnarajapuram (KJM) | 12030 | to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER | [42] |
Locomotive shed
| Zone | Name | Shed code | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| SER | Bondamunda | BNDM | 4 |
| Total Locomotives Active as of May 2025 | 4 | ||
