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. 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.

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). The committee recommended that Expansion of electrified routes across the country will also help in reducing energy cost. Therefore, a large number of WDG-4 diesel locomotives would become surplus after full electrification. 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. 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. They are fitted with high rise pantographs and have regenerative braking. 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. 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:

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 + Locomotives in classNoCurrent classlocomotive numberPrevious class and Road noPrevious shedStatus1WAG-1129001 (pair)WDG-4 (12011 & 12018)Hubli (UBL)Currently undergoing trials2WAG-1129002 (pair)WDG-4 (12014 & 12017)Hubli (UBL)Currently undergoing trials3WAG-1129003 (single)WDG-4 (12012)Hubli (UBL)Currently undergoing trials4WAG-1129004 (single)WDG-4 (12013)Hubli (UBL)Currently undergoing trials

+Comparison of three versions of WAG-11S.N.Version 1 (29001)Version 2 (29002)Version 3 (29003/29004)1Transformer mounted on board.Transfer under slung mounted.Transfer under slung mounted.2Transformer common to WAP-7/WAG-9.New design transformer used.Transformer common to WAG-9.3New 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-9.4Under slung battery box of WAG-9/WAP-7 used.Battery placed on board.Under slung battery box of WAG-9/WAP-7 used.5One end cab used.One end cab used.Both end cab with HVAC as in WAG-9.6Side 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-9.7Roofs 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-9.8Underframe 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: No need to modify WDG-4 underframe, particularly partially cutting center sill, I-beam, and bottom plate. Exactly similar layout of WAG-9 used. Transformer common to WAG-9. Can also work as a single unit. Cost reduction due to use of complete shell similar to WAG-9 (with some changes for ensuring interfacing with WDG-4 MTA). +Technical Data1 Type of ServiceFreight2Axle ArrangementTwin Co-Co3Horse power2x6000 HP4Tractive effort (Stall, Continuous)2x540 KN (Stall), 2x400 KN (Continuous)5Speed Potential95 kmph (As per final speed certificate)6Gear Ratio17:907Length over buffer2x21244 mm8Overall width3180 mm9Max. height with pantograph locked4255 mm10Total weight2x126 T11Traction Motor2x6 nos, 3-phase induction motor12Power of TM (KW)703 (Continuous), 758 (one hour rating)13BrakingRegenerative, Pneumatic14Braking effort2x270 KN15Power supply to aux 1, 2, 3 converter415 V +/- 10%, 0 to 50 Hz16Battery voltage110 V17Power supply to TM2180 V18No of power converters2

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. Nolocomotives classPrevious shedlocomotive numberStatusref1.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12002to be converted in 2020-2021 by NR2.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12003conversion scheduled for March 20203.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12004conversion scheduled for March 20204.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12005to be converted in 2020-2021 by NR5.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12006to be converted in 2020-2021 by NR6.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12007converted to WAG-11 #290027.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12008conversion scheduled for March 20208.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12009conversion scheduled for March 20209.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12010scheduled for March 202010.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12011converted to '''WAG-11 #29001

|11. |WDG-4 |Hubli (UBL) |12012 |converted to 'WAG-11 #29003

|12. |WDG-4 |Hubli (UBL) |12013 |converted to 'WAG-11 #29004

|13. |WDG-4 |Hubli (UBL) |12014 |converted to '''WAG-11 #29002

|14. |WDG-4 |Hubli (UBL) |12015 |to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR

|15. |WDG-4 |Krishnarajapuram (KJM) |12016 |to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR

|16. |WDG-4 |Hubli (UBL) |12017 |converted to 'WAG-11 #29002

|17. |WDG-4 |Hubli (UBL) |12018 |converted to 'WAG-11 #2900118.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12019to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR19.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12020to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR20.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12021to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR21.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12022to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER22.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12023to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER23.WDG-4Hubli (UBL)12024to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER24.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12025to be converted in 2020-2021 by SR25.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12026to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR26.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12027to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR27.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12028to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR28.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12029to be converted in 2020-2021 by SCR29.WDG-4Krishnarajapuram (KJM)12030to be converted in 2020-2021 by SER

Locomotive shed Zone Name Shed code QuantitySER Bondamunda BNDM 4Total Locomotives Active as of May 2025 4

See also

Locomotives of India Rail transport in India Indian locomotive class WDG-4

References

Notes

Bibliography