Indian locomotive class WCAM-2


The Indian locomotive class WCAM-2 is a class of dual-power AC/DC series electric locomotives that was developed in 1995 by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited used in the Indian Railways system. They are the second locomotive from the WCAM class. The model name stands for broad gauge, DC Current, AC Current, Mixed traffic locomotive, 2nd generation. They entered service in 1995. A total of 20 WCAM-2 were built at BHEL between 1995 and 1996, which made them the most numerous class of mainline dual-power AC/DC electric locomotive. They use the same motors as WCAM 1 but with different circuitry and gearing. They are operational in routes around Mumbai. MU operation was possible with 3 units. WCAM-2P was the passenger-oriented version of the WCAM-2 class. However, they perform better than the WCAM 1 locomotives due to higher power output of the WCAM-2 in both DC and AC configuration.

History and Technical Specifications

The WCAM-2, introduced in 1995, had more power in both DC and AC mode than the WCAM 1 class. However, like the WCAM-1, they also performed poorly in DC mode compared to AC mode. They were used for hauling trains away from the DC section of suburban trains to the AC section and performed the same task as the WCAM-1 did. WCAM-2 locos had the same traction motors, as the WCAM-1 locos, but different circuitry and gearing. The bogies are somewhat different from those of the WCAM-1 being fabricated trimount Co-Co bogies with secondary suspension, with rated speed 105 km/h in DC mode and 120 km/h in AC mode.. Almost all of these were dual-braked, but for maintenance, they were changed to feature air brakes only.
All the WCAM-1's and -2's were homed at Valsad shed in Gujarat. Many of CR's WCAM-2 locos were not used much in DC zones as they delivered very poor performance in DC mode and on CR's heavy grades. Although these locos have the same traction motors as the WAM 4 and WCAM 1, the power output from the WCAM-2 locos is higher than for the WAM-4 and WCAM-1 because in those models the traction motors were underfed and did not yield their potential maximum power. Under AC traction, the WCAM-2 locos operate with all six motors in parallel, while in DC mode they also operate in the all-series and series-parallel configurations.
Late model WCAM-2's from BHEL made in 1998, including the passenger-specific version WCAM-2P, were rated in DC mode and in AC mode. These were used by WR and CR for fast trains, running at maximum speed. CR had tried the WCAM-2 and WCAM-2P units but found them usable only with speed restrictions. Some WCAM-2P units had only air brakes. With the WCAM-2 locos, MU operation was possible with up to 3 units. Some of the WCAM-2 locos were originally leased to IR, ownership remaining with BHEL, the manufacturers.
In February 2012, upon conversion of Western Railway's Churchgate - Virar section from 1500 V DC to 25 kV AC, all the WCAM-2 locomotives were transferred to the Kalyan locomotive shed in the Central Railway zone. Following the conversion of Central line in June 2015 from 1500 V DC to 25kV AC, the WCAM-2 locomotives had their DC equipment progressively removed which led to improved performance caused by weight reduction.

Retirement

As the WCAM-2 locomotives have approached nearly 30 years in service, several issues have cropped up with age, like power loss on incline sections of Mumbai-Igatpuri and Mumbai-Pune lines, which has led to a few short distance trains being hauled by diesel locomotives. As a result, the Central Railways began to retire some of the older locomotives. The retirement began in December 2024, with 5 locomotives withdrawn from service and scrapped. 3 more were withdrawn from service by July 2025. As of January 2026, 12 remain in operation running in inferior services.

Technical specifications

Source:
ManufacturersBharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Traction MotorsTAO 659. Axle-hung, nose-suspended, force-ventilated.
Gear Ratio62:15, 58:21
TransformerBHEL 5,400 kVA.
RectifiersTwo silicon rectifier units D1800N44, 16 cells per bridge. 1 kV / 3.6 kA
Axle load
BogiesCo-Co trimount fabricated bogies with secondary suspension.
PantographsStone India AM-12 and Stone India AM-18B
NotchesTotal 32
Weight
Length
Total wheelbase
BrakesVacuum and/or Air

Locomotive shed

Trains hauled by WCAM-2/2P

  1. Pragati Express
  2. Sahyadri Express
  3. Jhelum Express
  4. Kanyakumari Mumbai Express
  5. Diva- Ratnagiri Passenger