Vectron (locomotive)

The Vectron is a design of reconfigurable, modular Bo'Bo' multipurpose locomotive by Siemens Mobility, intended to be the successor to the successful EuroSprinter family of locomotives. Diesel, DC electric, AC electric and multisystem locomotives were launched at the 2010 Innotrans trade fair.

Background and design

Around the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century Siemens successfully produced freight and passenger/universal versions of its Eurosprinter locomotive platform; initially made as single voltage machines for European state railways (Austria, Germany), later as multivoltage locomotives for cross border working; this design resulted in numerous orders from both state and private railways, as well as rail leasing companies, primarily in the European Union area.

Siemens identified the potential for further growth in the market, particularly in trans-Alpine freight (Northern Europe to Italy), railfreight from northern European ports into Europe and from Baltic ports into Russia, as well as the potential for growth in newer members of the European Union (Poland, Hungary etc.).^[2]

The design incorporates elements from previous Siemens locomotives - the train control package and traction control system are from the ES64F4 and ES64U4 Eurosprinter models respectively, whilst traction system is derived from the ER20 EuroRunner. The cab and replaceable front end (buffer-bar) derives from the latest Eurosprinter model^[3] i.e. locomotives such as the Belgian SNCB Class 18 or Portuguese CP Class 4700.

Design

The Vectron is designed to be easily reconfigurable to a variety of country or work specific configurations; reconfiguration to different safety systems is simplified with pre-designed mounting points for track equipment, modular safety equipment cabinets in the locomotive body^[4] and a driver's desk designed for a wide variety of information equipment.^[2]

The locomotives are also available in a medium power (5.2 MW or 7,000 hp) version for regional passenger and medium freight work as well as a high power (6.4 MW or 8,600 hp) version. DC only versions are only available in medium power.^[1] The standard design speed is 160 km/h (99 mph), which can be upgraded to 200 km/h (120 mph) with the addition of semi-active yaw dampers incorporating a bogie–bogie steering mechanism.^[2]

The main body of the vehicle is self-supporting, consisting of an underframe of three longitudinal sill plates (centre and sides), side walls, transverse support members for the bogie pivots and for the transformer, and end sill plates. The roof is in three sections and is removable, the two drivers cabins also have a replaceable front end. The buffer beam section is also a separate part, which allows replacement if it is damaged in a collision.^[2]

The main compartment of the locomotive contains the electrical equipment except the main transformer and batteries which are located below the frame. All electrical components are placed in predefined locations on either side of a central aisle connecting the two cabins with each mounting position being reserved for a single type of equipment.^[2]

The bogies transmit tractive force through a central pivot. The traction motors are flexibly supported by the bogie frame, and are connected to the wheelset mounted reduction gears by a multiple disc coupling. A full hollow shaft (folded cardan) drive system is also optional. Mechanical braking is via wheel-mounted disc brakes. Electrical regenerative braking is also used.^[2]

The locomotives can work in double, multiple and push-pull formation with other Vectron, Eurosprinter and Eurorunner locomotives as well as some other locomotives fitted with the same multiple working equipment.^[2] The design also allows single cab version for use in permanent double coupled locomotive working or for use with passenger trains with a blanking module replacing one of the cab ends.^[5]

Diesel engined versions

A fully diesel powered version was launched in 2010. The design uses a 2.4 MW (3,200 hp), MTU 16V 4000 R84 engine.^[6]

An electric locomotive design with 180 kW diesel engine for shunting operations was presented at the 2012 Innotrans trade fair.^[5]

Operations

Introduction and testing

The first locomotives of the type were AC and multisystem locomotives presented at the Test- and Validationcenter Wegberg-Wildenrath in June 2010.^[7] AC, DC, multivoltage electric system and a diesel engined version were officially launched at the 2010 Innotrans trade fair.^[6]

The Vectron design received certification to operate in Romania in 2012,^[8] the DC Vectron version also was homologated for use in Poland in 2012,^[9] and the design received European community certification for inter-operability on high-speed rail systems.^[10] (EC Decisions 2002/735/EC and 2008/232/CE)

Certification for use of the AC version in Germany was obtained in December 2012, as part of joint certification procedure between Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands.^[11]

Over the night of 25–26 January 2013, a modified Vectron locomotive was tested in the Channel Tunnel.^[12]

Certification for use in Austria was obtained in early 2013.^[13] Full certification for use in Sweden was obtained in April 2013, replacing a temporary certificate.^[14]

The AC version received certification for Hungary in late 2013.^[15] In January 2014 the Vectron locomotive class received certification under the EU 'Technical specification for interoperability for Locomotives and Passenger rolling stock' (Decision 2011/291/EU),^[16] and in July 2014 the AC version was certificated for use in Norway.^[17]

The locomotives were released for operation in Turkey in November 2014.^[18] Preliminary certifications for some multisystem locomotives in the Czech Republic ^[19] and Slovakia^[20] followed. A preliminary certification for some DC version locomotives in the Czech Republic was reported shortly after.^[21]

Orders

Railpool (Harburg, July 2013)  MRCE (Munich, June 2013)  DB Schenker (Poland) (Gdańsk, September 2013)  Siemens Vectron (August 2014)  BoxXpress Vectron, (Essen, July 2013)

See also

• Amtrak Cities Sprinter, Siemens' electric locomotive deriving from Eurosprinter and Vectron designs

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Siemens Vectron.

Classes of German diesel locomotives Deutsche Bundesbahn (pre-1994) see also DB locomotives 201 202 210 211–214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 230 232 236 240 245 V50 251 252 259 260, 261 265 270 279 280 V88 288 290, 291 299 331, 332, 333, 335 Deutsche Reichsbahn (GDR) (pre-1994) see also DR locomotives 100.0 100.1–9 101 102.0 102.1 103 105 106 107 108–115 118 119 120 130, 131 132 142 199.0 Kö 199.0–1 199.3 199.8 V 36 K Deutsche Bahn AG (post-1994) see also DBAG locomotives 201–204 210.4 211–214 215 216 217 218 219 220 223 225 226 228 229 232–234 240 241 242 246 247 (EMD 66) 247 (Vectron) 250 253 259 260 and 261 264 266 275 285 290, 291, 294–296 298 333, 335 360 361 362 363 364 365 760

Classes of German electric locomotives Current class numbering 101 103 104 109 110 111 112 112 (old) 113 114 114 (old) 115 116 117 118 119 120 127 128 132 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 146.1 146.2 150 151 152 152 (DB) 155 156 160 163 169 171 175 180 181 182 182 (old) 183 183 (old) 184 185 186 188 189 190 191 193 193 (old) 194 Pre-1968 class numbering E 03 E 04 E 05 E 10 E 10.12 E 15 E 16 E 17 E 18 E 19 E 21 E 32 E 36 E 40 E 41 E 44 E 50 E 52 E 60 E 61 E 62 E 63 E 69 E 70.2 E 71 E 72 E 73 E 75 E 77 E 79 E 80 E 91 E 91.3 E 92 E 93 E 94 E 95 E 244 E 310 E 320 E 344 E 410 DR classes 204 211 212 218 230 242 243 244 250 251 252 254 Older DR classes E 04 E 05 E 11 E 17 E 18 E 21 E 42 E 44 E 77 E 94 E 95 E 251 see also Category:Deutsche Bundesbahn locomotives, Category:Deutsche Reichsbahn (East Germany) locomotives, Category:Deutsche Bahn locomotives