WAG 6A

WAG 6A #26000, the Very First WAG 6A

The Indian locomotive Type WAG 6A is a class of 25 kV AC electric Freight locomotives that was developed in the 1988 by Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA), Sweden, for Indian Railways. They entered service in 1989. A total of 6 WAG-6A were built at ASEA, Sweden during 1988. They were the most powerful type of locomotives along with WAG 6B and WAG 6C in India until the arrival of the WAG 9.

## History

WAG 5 proved to be a very successful class of Freight locomotive, Carrying most of the freight on IR's Electrified Network but they were introduced way back in 1984 and such was the pace of development in the Freight sector that they soon became overwhelmed and under powered to carry the increasing freight.

IR needed something more powerful and as a result, floated a global tender for 6000 HP locomotives that can work in India's Harsh and Extreme Weathers. The requirements were Simple:

* 6000 HP or more
* Thyristor based Control
* Ability to work in Ambient Temperatures around 50 C

Two companies Responded, ABB (Earstwhile Known As ASEA) and Hitachi. Both Companies Sent 3 Type of locomotives; ASEA sent WAG 6A and HItachi sent WAG 6B and 6C.

## Service History

First Unit of WAG 6A arrived on december of 1987, remaining 5 arrived by january of 1988. They were Prototype Units and were sent to Vishakhapatnam and Put on active service along Kirandul-Kottavalasa line, Usually Hauling Ore and Freight trains.

Indian Railways were looking forward to develop Thyristor Based locomotives like their European counterparts were doing but 3 Phase technology prompted the railway to stop further development. This also meant that Neither ASEA nor Hitachi got further orders of WAG 6 type locomotives.

Since these locomotives were essentially prototypes, and IR made it clear that they were no longer interested, ASEA and Hitachi never made enough or any spare parts.

Until 1999-2000 they were in regular service but after that, Unavailability of spares meant they could not get their POH done. with No POH and spares, Locomotive failures and problems followed and they were suspended from Mainline duty in late 2002 until they Got a POH done. In 2003 Spares were ordered from ASEA and Hitachi for all WAG 6 types and they got a POH during April of 2003.

WAG 6A used Microprocessor Based diagnostic system and a particular Electronic Card for the onboard computer was in Extremely short supply and Neither ASEA and Hitachi had them. This Unavailability of the Cards ultimately meant that WAG 6A #26003 and #26004 never got a POH. These two units were Decommissioned in 2007 and Cannibalized for spares for the remaining Four Locomotives. Remaining Four Locomotives worked until 2015 and were removed from mainline duties. Only two units Remain somewhat functional now. All units are still at VSKP Locomotive shed's premises.

## Sheds

All Six units were Assigned to Vishakhapatanam shed and remained there. VSKP also did the POH of these Locomotives.

## Current Status

WAP 6A #26000 was decommissioned in 2015; It has been earmarked for preservation in 2018.

WAP 6A #26001 was decommissioned in 2015; it remains on VSKP grounds.

WAP 6A #26002 is still operable.

WAP 6A #26003 was Decommissioned in 2007 due to unavailability of spares. It was cannibalized for parts.

WAP 6A #26004 was Decommissioned in 2007 due to unavailability of spares. It was cannibalized for parts.

WAP 6A #26005 is still operable.