AC 3 phase locomotives procured at the cost of Rs.762.61 crores failed to render satisfactory performance due to manufacturing defects
Out of 30 locomotives, 23 locomotives put in service (10 #WAP5 and 13 #WAG9) failed during commissioning and trials and large scale modifications were required, 7 locomotives are still in the assembly bay at #CLW (November 1997). In December 1996, RSDO listed more than 30 defects in these locomotives and asked for immediate rectification/ modification. Unsatisfactory performance of WAP-5/ WAG-9 locomotives still continues. The main problems being encountered with freight locomotives (November 1997) are wheel skidding (31 cases), failure of GTO valve set (8 cases), power supply card failures (12 cases), machine room blower seizure (19 cases) and...
more... oil leakage from main converter (12 cases). Similarly, WAP-5 locomotives are suffering from wheel defects, oil cooler defects, pantograph defects and oil leakage from radiator. Thus, even after one year of their receipt in India, the locomotives have failed to render satisfactory performance due to several manufacturing defects. The Railway Board had paid Rs.762.61 crores upto March 1997 for supply of the locomotives, maintenance spares and for transfer of technology.