Indian locomotive class WAG-9H

WAG-9
An Ajni-based WAG9 hauling freight near Warangal
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan Electric Locomotive Works(ELW), Bhusawal Build date 1996 till present Total produced WAG 9 :- 272 WAG 9H :- 636 (As of June 2017)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co′Co′ Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Bogies Adtranz Fabricated Flexicoil IV Wheel diameter New:1,092 mm (3 ft 7 in), Half worn:1,054 mm (3 ft 5 1⁄2 in) Full worn:1,016 mm (3 ft 4 in) Wheelbase 15.7 m (51 ft 6 in) Length 20.562 m (67 ft 5 1⁄2 in) Width 3.152 m (10 ft 4 1⁄8 in) Height 4.525 m (14 ft 10 1⁄8 in) Axle load WAG-9 : 20.5 tonnes (20.2 long tons; 22.6 short tons) WAG-9H/Hi/9i : 22.0 tonnes (21.7 long tons; 24.3 short tons) Loco weight WAG-9 : 123 tonnes (121 long tons; 136 short tons) WAG-9H/9Hi/9i : 132 tonnes (130 long tons; 146 short tons) Electric system(s) 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead Current source dual pantographs Traction motors WAG-9/9H/9i : Adtranz 6FRA6068 MU working 2 Loco brake Air and Regenerative Train brakes Air Safety systems Slip/slide control, Main overload relay, Over voltage relay, No volt protection, Vigilance Control Device, Fire Detection Equipment, Fire Extinguishers and Earth fault relay
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output 6,120 hp (4,564 kW) continuous Tractive effort Starting : 475 kN (107,000 lbf) (WAG-9), 510 kN (110,000 lbf) (WAG-9H/i/Hi) Continuous : 325 kN (73,000 lbf) at 50 km/h
Career Operators Indian Railways Numbers Starting from 31000+ Nicknames NAVYUG, NAVJYOTI, NAVDISHA, NAVSHAKTI, NAVODAY, NAVASHA, NAVGHANSHAKTI, Dr. Silver, NAVSHATAK, NAVPRAGATI, NAVSHAKTI & NAVEEN Locale All Over India Disposition active

WAG 9 :- 272

WAG-9 : 20.5 tonnes (20.2 long tons; 22.6 short tons)

WAG-9 : 123 tonnes (121 long tons; 136 short tons)

WAG-9 is a type of electric locomotive used in India. It is the most powerful freight locomotive in Indian Railways' fleet. It is very similar to WAP-7; the only major difference being the gear ratio which makes it suitable for heavy freight operations. In November 1998, Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) started producing these with indigenous components. The first one, 'Navyug' (translated, 'New Era'), was flagged off on November 14. Like the WAP-5 units, they have GTO thyristor converters and 3-phase asynchronous motors.

Newer versions starting from WAG-9 31248 feature full IGBT traction control. The class is named as WAG-9i. There is a technical variant of this class named WAG-9H. The 'H' means Heavy. Another variant includes WAG-9Hi which seems to be a combination of the above two.

WAG-9H/9Hi are the second heaviest locomotives in regular service in India. These are the only freight dedicated three-phase AC locomotives in India. Also, WAG-9i/9Hi are the only electric locomotives in India fitted with Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). They are also the freight locomotives with highest operational speed in India. The latest WAG 9 31086 is based in GOMOH(GMO) and has a unique red colored livery of red with large G-9 written in retro fonts.

This locomotive is referred to as the "Heavy Haul" freight locomotive of the Indian Railways (IR). This locomotive was conceived owing to the extreme growth in the rail freight transportation sector. The growth in this sector is considered to be of great importance in the growth of the economy of India. This need had arisen the need for more electrification and electric locomotives in India. Around 60-65% of the freight haulage of IR takes place on the electrified section of the Golden Quadrilateral (Indian Railways) & diagonals (which account for 25% of the route). These routes are very busy routes, so clearance is a necessity. This power give it a great sectional clearance ability. Thus these locomotives are important for the Indian Railways.