TRAXX

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Bombardier TRAXX family

Power type	electric
Builder	Bombardier Kassel (formerly ADtranz)
Model	145, 146, 185, 4000, 481, 482, 585
Build date	1998–present
Total production	700 as of 2007
AAR wheel arr.	B-B
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Length	18,900 mm
Total weight	80 t (145) — 85 t (185)
Electric system	15 kV/16.7 Hz 25 kV/50 Hz
Engine type	three-phase asynchronous
Top speed	160 km/h (146) 140 km/h (others)
Power output	5,600 kW 4,200 kW (produced before 2002)
Tractive effort	300 kN
Train brakes	Knorr brake (Disc brake), electric brakes
Safety systems	ETCS (including PZB and LZB), Signum, ZUB, others
Locale	Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Luxemburg, France)

TRAXX is a family of electric locomotives built by Bombardier Transportation for railways in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Luxemburg. It is planned to derive a diesel variant.

Contents 1 Development 2 Operators 2.1 Class 145 family 2.2 Class 185 family 2.3 Class 185.2 family 3 External links

[edit] Development

The TRAXX family derives from the prototype locomotive 128 001 that was built by AEG and Henschel in 1994 to compete for an order to replace Deutsche Bahn’s aging Einheitslokomotiven (standardised locomotives) built in the 1950s and 1960s. Like competitor Krauss-Maffei’s 127 001, it was a three-phase electric locomotive based on experiences gained from DB Class 120.

The prototype resulted in an order from DB for eighty locomotives for medium-weight freight trains. These locomotives, known as DB Class 145, was delivered by Adtranz starting in 1997. The design of the three-phase motors made it relatively easy to develop a multi-system variant that was presented in 2000 as DB Class 185. With minor changes, this locomotive is capable to run in almost all European countries, the main obstacle being sometimes mutually-exclusive requirements by national certification agencies. DB cancelled its option for further Class 145 locomotives in favor of four hundred Class 185 locomotives, which are still in production at Bombardier’s Kassel factory as of 2006. Early during production, the motor’s power output was increased from 4,200 kW to 5,600 kW by a software upgrade.

During Expo 2000 DB refitted some Class 145 locomotives to pull heavy double-decker passenger trains. The results were quite satisfactory, so a series of modified Class 145 locomotives were ordered and designated Class 146. The main modification was the replacement of the axle bearing with a quill drive to increase maximum speed to 160 km/h. In 2003, a version of class 185 with similar modifications was introduced as Class 146.1.

While not the strongest electric locomotive on the market, the Class 185 outperformed its competitors on trials with heavy trains conducted on the St. Gotthard pass railway, resulting in orders by the Swiss railway companies SBB-CFF-FFS and BLS. Delivery of those locomotives started in 2003.

In 2005, the Class 185 and its derivatives received a major redesign, including a new front section and the introduction of IGBT transistors. These locomotives are called Class 185.2 and 146.2, respectively.

[edit] Operators

By the end of 2006, a total of just under 700 locomotives have been delivered. Numbers marked with an asterisk (*) in the tables below indicate the number delivered by the beginning of January 2007, with more in production or on order.

[edit] Class 145 family

class	operator	#
145	Railion	80
145	various private railways (Germany)	17
146	DB Regio	31
481	SBB Cargo	6

[edit] Class 185 family

class	operator	#
185.0	Railion	200
185	various private railways (Germany)	57
146.1	DB Regio	32
146.1	Metronom (private railway)	10
482	SBB Cargo	35
485	BLS Cargo	20
4000	CFL	20

[edit] Class 185.2 family

class	operator	#
185.2	Railion	79*
185.2	various private operators (Germany)	16*
146.2	DB Regio	47
146.2	various private operators (Germany)	12
482	SBB Cargo	15
484	SBB Cargo	18

[edit] External links

• Bombardier official site on TRAXX