TRAXX
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Power type | electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | Bombardier Kassel (formerly ADtranz) |
| Model | 145, 146, 185, 186, 4000, 481, 482, 484, 485, E.464, E.412, E.483, EU43 |
| Build date | 1996–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 |
| Locomotive weight | 80 t (145) — 85 t (185) |
| Electric system(s) | 15 kV/16.7 Hz 25 kV/50 Hz (+ 1.5kV DC and 3kV DC for 186 and 484 series) |
| Engine type | three-phase asynchronous |
| Top speed | 160 km/h (146, 186) 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 (France, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Poland) |
TRAXX is a family of electric and diesel locomotives built by Bombardier Transportation for railways in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Luxemburg and Poland.
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[edit] Development
[edit] The electric versions
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 railway, resulting in orders by the Swiss railway companies SBB-CFF-FFS and BLS. Delivery of those locomotives started in 2003.
In 2004 twenty multi-system locomotives (called Re484) were delivered to the Cargo division of SBB-CFF-FFS.Although they were the first multi-system (both DC and AC) version of the TRAXX 2 platform and are quadricurrent, only 2 voltages are used in practice as this locomotive is only equipped with the Swiss and Italian safety systems.5 locomotives are hired to Cisalpino to assure their EuroCity services between Switzerland and Italy. Three additional locomotives are being delivered in 2007.
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.
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| Power type | Diesel |
|---|---|
| Builder | Bombardier Kassel |
| Model | 246, 285 |
| Build date | 2006–present |
| Total production | 3 as of 2007 |
| AAR wheel arr. | B-B |
| UIC classification | Bo'Bo' |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Length | 18,900 mm |
| Locomotive weight | 83 t |
| Fuel capacity | 4000 l |
| Engine type | MTU 16V 4000 R41L |
| Traction motors | three-phase asynchronous |
| Top speed | 160 km/h (246) 140 km/h (285) |
| Power output | 2,200kW |
| Tractive effort | 270 kN |
| Train brakes | Knorr brake (Disc brake), electric brakes |
| Safety systems | ETCS (including PZB and LZB) |
| Locale | Germany |
In 2006 Bombardier switched from the TRAXX 2 (Class 146.2 and Class 185.2) to the TRAXX 3 platform. TRAXX 3 locomotives, whether being an electrical or diesel version have the same features: they have an air intake for cooling the diesel engine and a filling opening for the diesel tank. This allows an extensive modularity, and if required, electric locomotives could be rebuilt to diesel versions or vice-versa.
The first electric versions on this platform are the Class 186 multi-voltage series which will operate on the Amsterdam-Brussels service using HSL-Zuid, and also assure continuing freight trains from the Netherlands to Italy or from Poland to Austria without any loco change at the borders. The second series are the E.483 series, which are pure-DC locomotives for the Italian market. Both series are being tested as of July 2007, with the Class 186 series coming into revenue service in September 2007 on the Amsterdam-Brussels service, although driving on the classic line.
[edit] The diesel versions
Already from the start of the TRAXX program Bombardier wanted to derive a diesel version of its TRAXX locomotive family. With the TRAXX 1 and TRAXX 2 platforms this wasn't possible due to the general design of the locomotive: there was no place for a diesel tank and it missed an air intake for the diesel engine. Therefore Bombardier switched to the TRAXX 3 platform, where every locomotive has the same features: they have an air intake for cooling the diesel engine and a filling opening for the diesel tank, even when it is an electric version !
Region Niedersachsen was the first to order the passenger version (Class 246) : 11 locomotives were ordered in 2005, delivery would take place somewhere in 2007.The first three engines were built in advance however, so that they could be presented officially on the InnoTrans 2006 railfair and begin the test runs somewhat earlier, as to guarantee type certification on time. These locomotives will be operated by metronom on the still non-electrified Hamburg-Cuxhaven line.
Leasing company CB Rail was the first to order the freight version (Class 285), with 10 locomotives being delivered somewhere in 2008.
Both versions feature the same 2200kW-strong MTU 16V 4000 R41L engine, but differ by their transmission and top speed: the passenger version has the quill drive transmission as featured on class 146 and enabled speeds of up to 160 km/h, while the freight version has axle bearings like its electric counterpart class 185, limiting top speed to 140 km/h.
These medium-power locomotives are direct competitors to Siemens' EuroRunner and Vossloh's G2000 family.
[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 November 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 | 114* |
| 185.2 | various private operators (Germany) | 20* |
| 146.2 | DB Regio | 47 |
| 146.2 | various private operators (Germany) | 12 |
| 482 | SBB Cargo | 15 |
| 484 | SBB Cargo | 21 |
| 484 | Mitsui Rail Capital Europe | 5 |
[edit] Class 186 family
| Class | Operator | # |
|---|---|---|
| 186 | Angel Trains Cargo | 10* |
| 186 | CB Rail | 1* |
| 28 | B-Cargo | 3* |
[edit] Class 246/285 family
| class | operator | # |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | metronom | 3* |
| 285 | CB Rail | 1* |
[edit] External links
- Bombardier official site on TRAXX
- Drehstromloks.de - A comprehensive site about TRAXX and other Neubaulok series (German)
- Railcolor.net - Another comprehensive site about TRAXX and other Neubaulok series
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