DB class V 200

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Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureihe V 200
(later Baureihe 220)
Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureihe V 200(later Baureihe 220)
Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureile (class) V 200.
Power type Diesel-hydraulic
Builder Krauss-Maffei, MaK
Build date Prototypes: 1953
Production: 1956–
Total production 86
UIC classification B'B'
Length Prototypes: 18.47 m (60 ft 7 in)
Production: 18.53 m (60 ft 10 in)
Axle load 18.4 t (41,000 lb) to 20.3 t (45,000 lb)
Locomotive weight 73.5 to 81.0 t (162,000 to 179,000 lb)
Prime mover Maybach and/or MAN, 2 off
Engine type Diesel
Cylinders 12, 2 off
Transmission Hydraulic
Top speed 140 km/h (87 mph)
Power output 1,618 kW (2,170 hp)
Train brakes Air
Career Deutsche Bundesbahn
SBB-CFF-FFS
Class DB: V200 (later 220)
SBB: Am4/4
Number in class 86
Number DB: V 200 001 – V 200 086
SBB: 18461-18467
Retired by 1984

DB class V 200.0 (from 1968: class 220) was one of the first a diesel-hydraulic express locomotives of the German Deutsche Bundesbahn and - as Am 4/4 - of the SBB-CFF-FFS in Switzerland.

Contents

[edit] History

Five prototypes of V 200 had been built by Krauss-Maffei in 1953/1954. From 1956 a number of 61 engines were built by Krauss-Maffei and 20 by MaK.

The V 200 hauled express trains on all main lines, replacing the DRG Class 05, DRG Class 03 and DRG Class 01. Following the railway electrification of the main lines the V 200 was more and more used for commuter trains and freight trains, but the lines Hamburg-Westerland, Hamburg-Lübeck-Copenhagen and Munich-Lindau still saw the V 200 hauling express trains.

From 1962 the V 200.0 was followed by the more powerful DB class V 200.1, later class 221.

Beginning 1977 the V 200 were concentrated in the northern German engine sheds. The two-engine diesel-hydraulic concept was more expensive to operate that the single-engine diesel-electric locomotives like DB Class V 160. A further disadvantage was the steam heating system compared to electric train heating. The last V 200 went out of service at DB in 1984.

Seven V 200 were sold to the Swiss SBB-CFF-FFS, numbered (SBB Am 4/4 18461-18467). They did service until 1997 and were sold into private ownership in Germany. Other locomotives were sold to Albanic Hekurudha e Shqipërisë, but only for a short service before scrapping. The Greek OSE bought some V 200 also. Some V 200.1 (later class 221) have been reimported from Greece to Germany by the Prignitzer Eisenbahn, now numbered as class 270.

Today some V 200 are preserved. Transportation Museum Nürnberg owns the V 200 007. The prototype V 200 had been destroyed by the fire at the museum on October 17th, 2005.

[edit] Technics

The V 200 had two fast running V12-diesel engines. The transmssion was hydraulic, each motor operated via a hydraulic torque converter one bogie. The maximum speed was 140 km/h. The prototypes had a maximum power of 1,471 kW, the 200.0 had a power of 1,618 kW. Unlike some other diesel-hydraulic locomotives the V 200 was famous for its high reliability. Both Maybach and MAN engines were used. Although differing in several ways, the locomotives and transmissions were designed so that the engine types were completely interchangable. It was not uncommon to find a single locomotive with one MAN engine and one Maybach unit running together.

[edit] Different class DR V 200 / class 220

The former DR of the GDR had a class V 200 as well, later DR class 120. This were Russian made diesel-electric locomotives, nick name "taiga drum". After the end of the Berlin wall those engines were classified by DB as class 220 too, since all western German V 200 were out of service at the DB.

[edit] V300 (JŽ 761)

Based on V200 series, V300 (designated JŽ 761) series for Yugoslav Railways was produced. Three locomotives were produced, meant to haul the so called Blue Train (the presidential train of former Yugoslav president Josip Broz). They were painted blue.

[edit] British Rail Warship Class

Of interest is also the British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class) which used German sourced Diesel Hydraulic technology and was somewhat similar in appearance.

[edit] References

  • Mattias Maier Die Baureihe V200 Eisenbahn-Kurier (EK-Verlag; Freiburg) ISBN 3-88255-208-5

[edit] External links

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Classes of German diesel locomotives
Class number: 201, 202, 204; 210, 215-218, 219 old; 211-213; 219, 229; 220; 223; 220 old, 221; 230 - 234, 241; 246; 253; 259; 260 - 265; 266; 285; 290 - 296; 290 - 296