DB Class E 40

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Baureihe E 40
Technical data
Class number	E40 / E40.11 (from 1968: 140 / 139)
Put into service	1957-1973 (E40.11/139: 1959,1965)
Retired
Number built	879
Manufacturers	Krupp, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Siemens, AEG, BBC
Wheel arrangement	Bo'Bo'
Maximum speed	100 (110) km/h
Gauge	1435 mm
Length from buffer to buffer	16,490 mm
Service weight	83 tons
Number of motors	4
Power at rail	3,700 kW
Tractive effort	275 kN
Safety systems	Sifa,PZB
Brakes	K-GP mZ, electric brakes (Class 139 only)

The Baureihe E 40 is a German Einheits-Elektrolokomotive commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn in 1955, designed for freight trains. Since the 1968 renumbering, it is listed as Class 140 and Class 139.

[edit] Development

In 1950, the Deutsche Bundesbahn decided to introduce two general types of electric locomotives with standardised components: A twelve wheel (UIC: C' C') freight train locomotive based on the class E 94 and an eight wheel (UIC: B' B') general purpose electric locomotive based on the class E 44. As a new feature the engineers should be seated, whereas formerly they had to stand.

In due course of the construction the to speed requirement for the general purpose locomotive (working title E 46, then changed to class E 10) was increased to that point that the layout was one for an express train locomotive. Two types were not found sufficient to cover all needs, so the Einheits-Elektrolokomotiven program was changed to four general types: Light passenger train locomotive (class E 41), express train locomotive (class E 10), freight train locomotove class E 40 and heavy freight train locomotive (class E 50). All four classes should share a maximum of standard components.

[edit] Production of class E 40 and technical layout

The class E 40 basically is a class E 10 without electric brake, changed gearbox for lower speed respectively higher traction and additional minor changes. At 879 units built, it is the Einheitslokomotive with the most units of its type constructed. Its original speed was 100 km/h, this was enhanced to 110 km/h in 1969 in order to allow better usability also for commuter trains. The last series, colloquially known as 140.8, was equipped for push-pull train operation.

As all other types of the Einheitslokomotiven program the class E 40 had welded bogies with central pins. Instead the formerly used cannon box engines it used the Gummifederring (sorry, unable to translate) power transmission, that in class E 10 prototypes worked extraordinarily well and smooth. The control unit comprised 28 possible power settings.

In 1968 class E 40 was renumbered to class 140.

[edit] Subclass E 40.11

Starting in 1959, 31 locomotives were equipped with electrical brakes (as all class E 10 units were) for the ramp near Erkrath-Hochdahl between Düsseldorf and Wuppertal and the Höllentalbahn in southern Germany. Nowadays these engines are in service around Munich, with recent services to Austria, where the electric brake is very useful. In the beginning of the 1990s some additional class 139 (as they were renumbered in 1968) were built by equipping class 110 units with class 140 bogies and gearboxes from class 110 units pulled out of service.

Both class 140 and class 139 are being replaced by newer constructions such as class 145, class 185 and class 189. It is widely expected that the last units will be scrapped before 2010.