Rc locomotive

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Two Rc4 and a Rc2 (in the middle) of Green Cargo.

Rc6 operated by Connex.

Banverket construction train hauled by an Rc engine.

TAGAB Rc2 with an empty wood train near Hallsberg.

Rc4 in old SJ colors, owned by Green Cargo.

The class Rc locomotive is the most common locomotive in Sweden. It is driven by electric motors. Rc is a universal locomotive used both in freight trains and passenger trains. Both SJ AB and Green Cargo uses the locomotive, as well as Connex, Tågab and the track operator Banverket.

[edit] Versions

Althogether there have been 8 versions of the Rc-locomotive in Sweden including the freight locomotive Rm designed to pull iron ore trains. Rc1, Rc2, Rc4, and Rc5 have a maximum allowed speed of 135 km/h. Rc3 and Rc6 have a maximum allowed speed of 160 km/h. Rc7 was a rebuild of Rc6 meant to haul replacement trains needed when the X2000 trains were cancelled or delayed. Rc7 had a maximum allowed speed of 180 km/h. Rc1-Rc7 all weigh around 75-80 tons but the Rm weigh around 90 tons. The Rm's top speed is only 100 km/h but they are more powerful. All Rc7 have been converted back to Rc6.

The Rc and Rc-based locomotives have been exported to a lot of other countries. The Austrian Railways bought 10 Rc2, class 1043 in Austria. One of the locos were badly damaged in an accident but the remaining nine have been bought by the Swedish company Tågåkeriet i Bergslagen AB, and returned to Sweden. A slightly altered Rc4 has been sold to Norway, there known as El16. The AEM-7 used by Amtrak is also based on the Rc4.