DR Class 250
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 155 043-3 hauling freight train 51165 from Kassel to Engelsdorf through Leinefelde/Thuringia. |
|
| Power type | Electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | LEW Henningsdorf |
| Total production | 273 |
| UIC classification | Co'Co' |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Length | 19.6 m (64 ft 4 in) |
| Locomotive weight | 123.0 t (121.1 LT/135.6 ST) |
| Electric system(s) | 15 kV, 16.67 Hz AC |
| Curent collection method | Pantograph |
| Traction motors | Six |
| Top speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Power output | 5,400 kW (7,200 hp) |
| Tractive effort | 480 kN (110,000 lbf) |
| Train brakes | Knorr airbrake, electric brake |
| Safety systems | Sifa / PZB / LZB |
| Career | Deutsche Reichsbahn Deutsche Bahn AG |
| Class | DR: Baureihe 250 DB: Baureihe 155 |
| First run | 1974 |
| Last run | Still in service |
The Deutsche Reichsbahn (East Germany) Class 250 (known since 1992 as Deutsche Bahn AG Class 155) is a German electric locomotive used on freight trains. Nicknamed the “Electric Container” or “Powercontainer” due to its distinctive carbody shape. The less favorable nickname “Stasi-Container” is also heard every now and then. It was the most powerful locomotive in the former GDR, and the 200 still in existence remain indispensable for Railion Deutschland, Deutsche Bahn's railway cargo carrier.
[edit] History
In the mid-1960s, it became apparent that engine classes 211 and 242, in production since 1961, were not powerful enough, so DR built a new, 6-axled, electric locomotive suitable for all classes of traffic. In 1974 three prototypes were built by LEW Henningsdorf, the leading builder of railway locomotives in the GDR. A series of 270 locomotives were delivered between 1977 and 1984. They were mainly used for heavy cargo trains and the fast Städteexpress-trains (comparable with InterCity).
After the reunification of Germany, railway traffic in East Germany slumped. The locomotives were renumbered as class 155, and many of them operated in West Germany. After Deutsche Bahn was restructured, the engines were assigned to DB Cargo (now Railion) for freight services. The 155s can be seen throughout Germany pulling a range of freight trains. Since 1998, some locomotives have been used for parts.
[edit] Construction
The locomotives have two 3-axled bogies. Each axle is powered by a single-phase, series-wound, AC motor. The torque is transferred by a double-sided spur gear to the wheels. Two scissor-shaped pantographs collect the current of 15 kV / 16.67 Hz from the catenery. Recently, many of these pick-ups have been refitted as modern single-arm pantographs.
The core of the electric system is the 3-blade main transformer with oil-cooling. The control unit has 30 power notches, semi-automatic in operation. The settings are thyristor controlled, which was a novelty for series locomotives in the GDR. All units are equipped with a catenery-current-controlled electric brake. The safety equipment in the driver's cab has an electronic deadman's brake (Sifa), “punctiform” automatic train controls (PZB 90), and train radio equipment with GSM-R communication. Relatively recently, computers were added for the electronic timetable EBuLa.
Some of the later models have been equipped with the LZB System, so they can be used to haul heavy, fast container cargo trains on the German high-speed network.
|
||||||||||||||||
