Indian locomotive class WL (1955)

Indian WL (1955)
WL 15084 at Amritsar Jn, 1993.
WL 15084 at Amritsar Jn, 1993.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder
Build date1955, 1966–1969
Total produced104
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-2
 • UIC2′C1′ h2
Gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Driver dia.5 ft 7 in (1.702 m)
Axle load16.9 long tons (17.2 t; 18.9 short tons)
Loco weight88.1 long tons (89.5 t; 98.7 short tons)
Tender weight62.59 long tons (63.59 t; 70.10 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity12 long tons (12 t; 13 short tons)
Water cap.4,500 imp gal (20,000 L; 5,400 US gal)
Boiler pressure210 psi (1.45 MPa)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size19+1⁄4 in × 28 in (489 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort27,640 lbf (122.95 kN)
Career
OperatorsIndian Railways
Number in class104
Numbers
  • 15000–15009
  • 15014–15107
DispositionNo. 15005 preserved
[1]

The Indian locomotive class WL of 1955 was a class of light axle load 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotives used on 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge lines in India between 1955 and 1995.[2] A total of 109 of them were built in two batches.[3][4]

The first batch, of 10 engines, was built by Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, England, in 1955. The second, main, batch, totalling 94 engines, was built in India by the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works between 1966 and 1969.[4]

The WL class of 1955 is not to be confused with the WL class of 1939, all of which went to Pakistan upon partition in 1947.[1][5] The two classes bore no resemblance to each other according to Vulcan.[1]

Class table

Table of orders and numbers
Year Manufacturer Serial Nos. Qty First Nos. All-India Nos. Notes
1955 Vulcan 6188-6197 10 7785-7794 15000–15009
1966-1968 Chittaranjan 94 15014–15107

Preservation

WL 15005 renamed as Sher e Punjab was brought from Rewari loco shed to NRM delhi for display in 2013
Working Class Number Location Built Zone Builders Build No Name
Yes WL 15005 Rewari Steam Shed 1955 NW Vulcan Foundry 6193 Sher e Punjab

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Indian Railways 5 ft. 6 in. Gauge 1955 4-6-2 (WL) brochure" (PDF). Vulcan Foundry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  2. ^ Marshall 2009, pp. 90-93.
  3. ^ Marshall 2009, p. 93.
  4. ^ a b Hughes 1976, p. 27.
  5. ^ Hughes 1990, pp. 78, 84.

Bibliography

Media related to Indian locomotive class WL (1955) at Wikimedia Commons