Indian Railway Powerful Passenger of High Speed WAP-7HS Locomotives
WAP-7 is the most powerful passenger locomotive over Indian Railways capable of hauling 24 coaches high speed trains. However, the maximum service speed of locomotive is 140 kmph. To operate the trains at faster speed and reduce the journey time, enhancing the maximum service speed of locomotive is necessary.
Indian Railway has undertaken project of upgradation of speed potential of WAP-7 locomotives from 140 kmph to 160 kmph. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) turned out new version of WAP-7 locomotive (WAP-7HS) having potential of maximum service speed as 160 kmph. The complete design and development of locomotive have been done indigenously. The necessary simulation and modelling are carried out by CLW in-house. To enhance the speed of the locomotive, a weight reduction of about 14 tonnes have been carried out. The gear ratio has also been changed from 3.6 (72:20) to 3.2 (70:22). The software modification has been carried out to optimize slip-slide control and tractive effort. The locomotive shall be put into service after statuary tests and trials. The new type of locomotive is expected to facilitate operation of premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto at higher speed.
| Important Parameters | WAP-7HS |
| Total H.P. | 6000 |
| Wheel Arrangement | Co-Co |
| Max. Tractive effort at start | 286 kN |
| Total weight of loco | 109 t±1% |
| Axle loads (Max.) | 18.2 t±2% |
| Length over buffers | 20562 mm |
| Total width of loco | 3152 mm |
| Maximum service speed | 160 kmph |
| Gear Ratio | 3.2 |
Source: PIB
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