Class Dr16 | |
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Three Dr16s heading a freight train at Hangas, near Pikkarala, northern Finland, 2001 | |
Power type | Diesel-electric |
Builder | Valmet Oy, Tampere (numbers 2801-2809) Transtech Oy, Otanmäki and Taivalkoski (numbers 2810-2823) Oy Strömberg Ab, inverters, generator and motors |
Build date | 1985 - 1992 |
Total produced | 23 |
UIC classification | Bo′Bo′ |
Gauge | 1,524 mm (5 ft) |
Wheel diameter | 1,250 mm (4 ft 1 in) |
Length | 17.60 m (57 ft 9 in) |
Width | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
Height | 4.73 m (15 ft 6 in) |
Axle load | 20.5 t/21 t |
Locomotive weight | 82 t/84 t |
Fuel type | Diesel |
Prime mover | Pielstick 12PA4-V-200VG Wärtsilä Vaasa 8V22 (2803/2804) |
Transmission | Inverter-driven three-phase AC induction motors |
Top speed | 140 km/h (87 mph) |
Power output | 1677 kW (1500 kW 2803/2804) |
Tractive effort | 270 kN (61,000 lbf) |
Career | VR |
Class | Dr16 |
Number in class | 18 |
Number | 2805-2813, 2815-2823 |
Nicknames | Iso Vaalee (the Big Blonde) |
Locale | northern and eastern Finland |
Current owner | VR |
Disposition | In Service |
The Dr16 is a class of diesel-electric locomotives used by VR (Finnish Railways). The 23 locomotives have a single, off-centre cab and are currently VR's most powerful diesel locomotives. Their nickname is "Iso Vaalee" (Big Blonde). They are presently mainly used on heavy freight services in northern Finland; their main passenger duty is the haulage of trains on the non-electrified line between Kemi and Kolari in Lapland.[1] Dr16 locomotives were also used extensively on the line between Oulu and Rovaniemi, prior to the completion of the electrification of the line in 2004.[2]
Contents |
In the beginning of the 1980s, Valtionrautatiet needed new locomotives to replace its aging Dr12 and Dv12 class diesel locomotives.[3] The company had installed a bigger engine on a Dr12 (which became the Dr15) and modified one Dv12 to run on electricity instead of diesel.[4] However, the company wanted a totally new locomotive, and finally chose Valmet's type M in 1983, with Strömberg providing the electrical components.[5] VR originally ordered 23 locomotives[6], with an option of 20 more when the first series were delivered.[7]
It was originally planned that two locomotives would be first built as prototypes[6], the first of them being fitted with a Wärtsilä engine and the second one with the Pielstick.[8] While the first prototype ran on its own on 22 April 1985 for the first time[9], the Pielstick was under its engine cover due to the Wärtsilä proving three tons too heavy.[8] When completion of the Wärtsilä engine was delayed a second time, the second prototype was also fitted with a Pielstick. [10] Due to these engine problems, the number of prototypes was extended to four on January 1986.[10] The locomotives, numbered 2801-2804, were taken into service in 1985-1987[11]: the first two had a Pielstick engine, the latter two a Wärtsilä.[10] On 13 March 1989 VR confirmed that Pielstick engines would be fitted on all the upcoming locomotives.[12] The Wärtsilä engines were kept on the two prototypes, as refitting them would have been too costly.[13]
After an extensive testing programme, the 19 series locomotives were delivered between 1990 and 1992.[14] The manufacturer had anticipated a larger series to be ordered to replace old heavy line diesels (Dr12 and Dr13); however, the rapid progress of the electrification of Finnish main lines decreased the need for new heavy diesel locomotives and thus no further orders materialized.[12] The locomotives were designed and assembled in Finland, either by Valmet Oy at Tampere (numbers 2801-2809) or by Transtech Oy at Otanmäki and Taivalkoski (numbers 2810-2823).[15]
Originally the engines were planned to be of Finnish design (Wärtsilä Vaasa 8R22), but after tests with two prototype locos, the engine type was changed into French Pielstick 12PA4-V-200VG.[16] The Pielsticks produced originally 1660 kW, but in 1997 they were limited to an output of 1500 kW to increase durability.[17]
The locomotive was very modern at its time and it was among the first[6] to use microprocessor-controlled GTO thyristor inverter-driven three-phase asychronous AC motors.[18] The construction is modular[19], and data is transmitted via optical fiber cables between modules. The maximum speed is 140 km/h.[20] The maximum frequency of the inverters corresponds to 156 km/h, and the locomotive has reached that in test runs. The locomotive provides 400 kW 1500V electricity for heating of passenger cars.[21]
The first two prototypes were painted in a white/red livery to go with VR's recent InterCity brand, showcasing the VR logo next to the cab.[22][23] The final livery (starting from number 2803) added some grey on the side of the engine covers.[24] Two of the locomotives (numbers 2816[25] and 2819[26]) have been repainted in a new white/green livery in 2010 and 2011. These have been called Iso Kalpee (Finnish for "Big Pale") by railroad enthousiasts.
Of a total of 23 built locomotives, five Dr16:s have been withdrawn from service and/or scrapped. This includes all of the prototype locomotives (numbers 2801–2804), which were withdrawn between 2004 and 2009.[27][28]
In addition to the prototypes, one series locomotive, number 2814, was scrapped in 2000 after sustaining serious damage in a level crossing accident near the municipality of Ii.[27][29] After the accident, the obstruction clearing device of the Dr16 was redesigned and strengthened according to the recommendation of the accident investigation board.[27][29]
Built | First test runs | Official delivery | Withdrawn | Notes | |
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2801 | 22 April 1985 | 25 June 1986 | 28 June 1989 | 20 January 2004 | Pielstick engine. |
2802 | 16 February 1986 | 16 March 1987 | 28 June 1989 | July 2009 | Pielstick engine. Closest to the series locomotives. |
2803 | 31 October 1986 | 30 December 1986 | 28 June 1989 | 20 January 2004 | Wärtsilä engine. |
2804 | 23 January 1987 | 30 September 1987 | 28 June 1989 | 30 November 2004 | Wärtsilä engine. |
Delivered | Withdrawn | |
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2805 | 28 December 1990 | |
2806 | 28 December 1990 | |
2807 | 28 December 1990 | |
2808 | 28 December 1990 | |
2809 | 11 February 1991 | |
2810 | 4 March 1991 | |
2811 | 10 April 1991 | |
2812 | 20 May 1991 | |
2813 | 25 June 1991 | |
2814 | 30 August 1991 | 9 February 2000 |
2815 | 27 September 1991 | |
2816 | 25 October 1991 | |
2817 | 22 November 1991 | |
2818 | 20 December 1991 | |
2819 | 23 January 1992 | |
2820 | 21 February 1992 | |
2821 | 26 March 1992 | |
2822 | 24 April 1992 | |
2823 | 30 June 1992 |
Sources: Pentikäinen 2006, pp. 40, 50, 60, 100, 128; Isovaalee.info
Also known as type N locomotive (Finnish: N-veturi) or Dv13. It is a smaller work locomotive that implements some of the components of the Dr16.[30] The two locomotives share also the same computer system.[30] It is owned nowadays by Maansiirto Veli Hyyryläinen Oy (part of Destia group).
Valmet originally prepared the Dr12 to be modified as a full electric locomotive while building it, designing it for speeds up to 180 km/h (110 mph).[31] It was estimated that the electric and diesel variants would share 80% of their parts.[32] However, VR finally ordered the Sr2 locomotives from SLM and ABB.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:VR_Class_Dr16 VR Class Dr16] at Wikimedia Commons
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