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TheIndian locomotive class WAG-5 is a class of 25kVACelectric locomotives that was developed in 1978 byChittaranjan Locomotive Works forIndian Railways. The model name stands forbroad gauge (W), alternating current (A), goods traffic (G) engine, 5th generation (5). They entered service in 1980. A total of 1,196 WAG-5 were built at CLW andBHEL between 1978 and 1998, which made them the most numerous class of mainline electric locomotive until the introduction of its successor, theWAG-7.
The WAG-5 is one of the most successful locomotives of Indian Railways currently serving both freight and passenger trains for over 43 years. This class provided the basic design for a number of other locomotives, like WAG-7 and theWCM-6. However, with the advent of new 3-phase locomotives likeWAG-9 andWAG-12, the WAG-5 locomotives were relegated to hauling smaller passenger trains and now the aging fleet of WAG-5 locomotives is rapidly being withdrawn from mainline duties and scrapped.
The WAG-5A and WAG-5H(x) variants are fitted with Alstom and Hitachi traction motors respectively,[1] whereas the WAG-5B are units converted from theWAM-4, and the WAG-5P(x) is a subclass specialised for passenger duties. The WAG-5(x)D and WAG-5(x)E are respectively fitted with dual and air brakes. WAG-5RH and WAG-5HR are fitted with rheostatic or friction braking. Another variant is WAG-5HG.[further explanation needed] The units with additional '6P' markings have parallel grouped traction motors. BHEL-built units are classified as WAG-5HB. Some units are fitted with Static Converter (STC), Microprocessor, Dynamic brake resistors (DBR) and SI unit.
Due to the advent of the WAG-7 and WAG-9 locomotives, the WAG-5s, except WAG-5HA/HB variants, occasionally hauled passenger trains despite being designed for freight haulage. WAG-5HB[clarification needed] is homed at Jhansi shed near BHEL's installations for maintenance purposes. WAG-5 has a shell of the WAM-4. Units numbered until 23293 have side louvre and round glass windows like the WAM-4, and units after 23293 have louvres similar to those fitted to the WAG-7 for better ventilation. Recently,[when?] WAG-5 have been fitted with data loggers.
Due to the decline of tap changer control suppliers, unit 23026 was selected byRDSO for the adoption of thyristor controlled electricals in 1995. The project began in 1992, with the new prototype system, built in collaboration with theBhabha Atomic Research Centre, was fitted in the locomotive between 1997 and 1998. Due to several problems such as interference with signalling equipment, the project was ceased in 1999, and the engine was rebuilt to original WAG-5 and designated as WAG-5P.
| Traction Motors | Alstom TAO 659 (575 kW, 750 V, 1070 rpm) or TAO 656; or Hitachi HS 15250A. Axle-hung, nose-suspended. Six motors. |
| Gear Ratio | 62:16 or 62:15 with Alstom motors, some 64:18 (Hitachi motors), many now 58:21 for mixed use. There are also 17:77 |
| Transformer | BHEL, type HETT-3900. 3900 kVA, 22.5 kV, 182 A. 32 taps, 11730 kg, Forced oil cooling, 'A' Insulation. |
| Rectifiers | Silicon rectifiers (two) using 64 S-18FN-350 diodes each from Hind Rectifier. 2700 A / 1050 V per cubicle. 64 cells per bridge. Starting current at 3300 A. Motor (380 V, 970-1460 RPM) |
| Max Haulage capacity | 2375 t (WAG-5 original) |
| Pantographs | TwoFaiveley AM-12 of 285 kg with four insulators |
| Current Ratings | 1100 A / 10 min, 750 A continuous |
| Sandboxes | 8 |
| Auxiliaries | 2 Head lights (32 V, 250 W), Lead-acid Battery (50 cells, 110 V) |
| 3 Elgi Compressors | 3 motors (12.5 hp, 380 V) |
| 2 SF India Ltd. Traction Motor blowers | MLBR-42.51-1-H4 type, 2 Siemens Motors (22 kW, 380 V, 41 A, 3000 rpm) |
| 2 SF India Ltd. Smoothing reactor blower | 2 motors(3 hp, 380V, 2860rpm) |
| BHEL Breaking resistor blower | Dy-3423M type, Moto r(532 kW, 70 hp, 325 V, 175 A, 3500 rpm) |
| 2 SF India Ltd. Silicon rectifier blower | Axial type |
| SF India Ltd. Oil cooler blower | MLBH-60-1-H2 type, 22.2 m/hr, Motor (30 hp, 380 V, 6.6 A, 2865 rpm) |
| 2 Smoothing reactors | SL42 type, 1250 V, 950 A, 0.00718 ohms at 110 °C |
| BEST & Co. Pvt. Ltd. Oil pump for transformer | Motor (3.3 kW, 380 V, 6.6 A, 2865 rpm) |
| Zone | Name | Shed Code | Quantity | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAG-5 | WAG-5H | ||||
| Central Railway | Bhusawal | BSLL | 60 | ||
| Eastern Railway | Bardhaman | BWNX | 14 | 29 | |
| Jamalpur | JMPD | 3 | 1 | ||
| East Coast Railway | Visakhapatnam | WATE | 36 | ||
| North Central Railway | Jhansi | JHSE | 87 | ||
| North Eastern Railway | Gonda | GDDX | 21 | ||
| Northern Railway | Ghaziabad | GZBE | 1 | ||
| Lucknow | AMVD | 19 | |||
| Southern Railway | Arakkonam | AJJE | 13 | ||
| Erode | EDDX | 51 | |||
| South Central Railway | Vijayawada | BZAE | 35 | ||
| South Eastern Railway | Bondamunda | BNDL | 2 | ||
| Western Railway | Ratlam | RTMD | 77 | ||
| West Central Railway | Itarsi | ETD | 55 | 49 | |
| New Katni Jn. | NKJD | 64 | |||
| Total Locomotives Active as of November 2025[2] | 617 | ||||
| Steam |
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| Diesel |
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| DC electric |
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| AC electric |
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| Dual (AC and DC) electric |
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| Dual mode |
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