Indian locomotive class WAP 6

The 6th class of Wide Gauge (W), Alternating Current powered (A), Passenger-dedicated (P) series.

This class was actually variant of the WAP-4 design where Co-Co Flexicoil Mark 1 cast bogies of the usual WAP4 was replaced by Fabricated Flexicoil Mark IV bogies. All other specifications were same as WAP4. WAP-1 unit no. 22212 was the first to be rebuilt into a WAP-6. It was provided with Flexicoil bogies and other upgrades. Then it was rebuilt into WAP-4. Later, more WAP-1 units were re-geared and provided with high-adhesion fabricated bogies (Flexicoil Mark IV) which are somewhat similar to ALCO hi-adhesion bogies. They were intended to reach 140 km/h (87 mph) but failed to do so in trials and were restricted at 105 km/h (65 mph). Two units,i.e., 22406 and 22408 are upgraded with better wheel-sets. This class was an unsuccessful one. All have been converted back as WAP-4. All were homed at Asansol(ASN) shed but after conversion reallocated to Howrah (HWH)shed.