British Rail Class 92
Encyclopedia
The British Rail
Class 92 is a dual-voltage electric locomotive
which can run on 25 kV AC
from overhead wires or 750 V DC
from a third rail
. It was designed specifically to operate services through the Channel Tunnel
between Britain and France
. Eurotunnel
indicates the Class 92 locomotive as the reference for other locomotives which railway undertakings might want to get certified for usage in the Channel tunnel.
Locomotives of this type are operated by Eurotunnel
and DB Schenker
. In France, a number were also owned and operated by SNCF
; these were classified as CC 92000 on French railways.
and ABB Traction
. Parts construction was sub-contracted, with only final construction and commissioning being undertaken at Brush's erecting shops at Loughborough
between 1993 and 1996 (First unit was produced from 1992, and was finished in April 1993)
The bodyshells, shared with the Class 60
diesel locomotive
s but with a modified front end, were fabricated by Procor (UK) of Horbury
and delivered pre-painted in the then-standard triple grey livery. Propulsion is provided by two ABB traction converters using GTO
devices, with control via an ABB MICAS-S2. Maximum power is 5 MW on 25 kV or 4 MW on 750 V; with a tractive effort of 360 kN.
The locomotive is fitted with both rheostatic and regenerative braking, in addition to standard westinghouse air brake
equipment. An electrical train bus is fitted to enable two locomotives to work in multiple formation, either double-heading
or push-pull
train with a Driving Van Trailer
or DBSO
.
's test track at Velim near Kolin
. One locomotive was temporarily moved from here to Vienna Arsenal
for climatic testing.
The majority of the class are named after European composers and writers. Post-privatisation
the ownership was split between EWS
, European Passenger Services (Eurostar (UK)
and SNCF
.
During 2000 Eurostar (UK) offered their seven members of the class (92020 / 021 / 032 / 040 / 044-046) for sale being surplus to requirements with the non commencement of sleeper services through the Channel Tunnel. However no buyer could be immediately found so they were decommissioned and stored at Crewe International
electric depot. Five of these locomotives have now been purchased by Eurotunnel to be used by their Europorte 2
rail freight undertaking for short haul rail traffic in France.
In 2009 a project is undertaken with the aim of allowing the class to be modified for operations on High Speed 1: i.e. with TVM signalling. The project received funding from the European Commission
and it was anticipated services will begin in early 2010. On 25 March 2011 for the first time a modified class 92 locomotive travelled from Dollands Moor to Singlewell using the TVM430 signalling system. A loaded container train ran for the first time on 27 May 2011, and further trials with loaded wagons are planned until the end of June 2011.
The class is also notable in that the last train ever to travel under British Rail
, the 2315 service from Dollands Moor to Wembley
on 21 November 1997, was hauled by 92003 Beethoven.
(RFD) two-tone grey livery at introduction in the late 1980s. Nine locomotives belonged to SNCF
of France, these were differentiated by having a small SNCF logo under the cab side-windows instead of a BR one. A number of Class 92 locomotives for Railfreight Distribution had a "Sector Distribution" logo included, with the words "Railfreight Distribution" written along the locomotive side panels.
Following the privatisation of British Rail
, all of the EWS-owned locomotives had originally been planned to be painted in the EWS' gold and maroon colours. In the end, only two locomotives received gold and maroon paint liveries (92001 and 92031). The rest of the locomotives had a large EWS Logo applied halfway along the side. For locomotives with Railfreight Distribution branding, this logo served to cover over the original Sector Distribution logo.
Six Class 92s allocated to Eurostar
retained their two-tone grey livery although there had been a plan to repaint these locomotives into Nightstar
two-tone green livery. The combination of rail privatisation, technical problems, and the growth of point to point low cost airlines undermined the Nightstar venture, and the project was abandoned before a single revenue-earning service had even begun. The locomotives remained in two-tone grey until they were purchased by Europorte 2
in the 2000s. Europorte applied the designation "Europorte 2" inside a large Eurotunnel-style circle.
Following the takeover of EWS by DB Schenker, most of the fleet of Class 92s will likely move to DB Schenker Red liveries, matching that on previously repainted Class 66s. 92009 Was the first locomtoive to be outshopped in the new DB Schenker Red livery. The name "Elgar" had been removed; and the locomotive was subsequently renamed "Marco Polo" later during August 2011. The new livery has been completed on three locomotives (92009, 92016 and 92042). 92031 is the next planned loco to be repainted at Toton TMD.
In 2009, locomotive 92017 (formerly Shakespeare) was painted into Stobart Rail
's blue and white livery and named Bart the Engine.
On 10 March 2011, locomotive 92032 appeared in the new Europorte GB Railfreight livery. In July 2011 Europorte 2
/Eurotunnel purchased the five remaining locomotives that had belonged to SNCF, bringing Eurotunnel's total up to sixteen Class 92s.
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Class 92 is a dual-voltage electric locomotive
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
which can run on 25 kV AC
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
from overhead wires or 750 V DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
from a third rail
Third rail
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...
. It was designed specifically to operate services through the Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
between Britain and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel
Groupe Eurotunnel S.A. manages and operates the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The Company operates the car shuttle services and earns revenue on other trains passing through the tunnel...
indicates the Class 92 locomotive as the reference for other locomotives which railway undertakings might want to get certified for usage in the Channel tunnel.
Locomotives of this type are operated by Eurotunnel
Eurotunnel
Groupe Eurotunnel S.A. manages and operates the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The Company operates the car shuttle services and earns revenue on other trains passing through the tunnel...
and DB Schenker
DB Schenker Rail (UK)
DB Schenker Rail , before 2009 known as English, Welsh and Scottish Railway is a British rail freight company. EWS was established by a consortium led by Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation in 1996 by acquisition of five of the six freight companies created by the privatisation of British...
. In France, a number were also owned and operated by SNCF
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
; these were classified as CC 92000 on French railways.
Design
The fleet of 46 locomotives was built by a consortium of Brush TractionBrush Traction
This article is about a British rail-locomotive maker. For the Detroit auto-maker, see Brush Motor Car CompanyBrush Traction is a manufacturer and maintainer of railway locomotives, part of the FKI group , based at Loughborough in Leicestershire, England situated alongside the Midland Main Line.-...
and ABB Traction
Asea Brown Boveri
ABB is a Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, and best known for its robotics. ABB operates mainly in the power and automation technology areas. It ranked 143rd in Forbes Ranking ....
. Parts construction was sub-contracted, with only final construction and commissioning being undertaken at Brush's erecting shops at Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
between 1993 and 1996 (First unit was produced from 1992, and was finished in April 1993)
The bodyshells, shared with the Class 60
British Rail Class 60
The British Rail Class 60 is a class of Co-Co heavy freight diesel-electric locomotives built by Brush Traction. They are nicknamed Tugs by Rail Enthusiasts.-History:...
diesel locomotive
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
s but with a modified front end, were fabricated by Procor (UK) of Horbury
Horbury
-Demography:In 2008 Horbury had a largely white population compared with Yorkshire and the Humber.-Population change:The population of Horbury in 2001 was 10,002-Transport:...
and delivered pre-painted in the then-standard triple grey livery. Propulsion is provided by two ABB traction converters using GTO
Gate turn-off thyristor
A gate turn-off thyristor is a special type of thyristor, a high-power semiconductor device. GTOs, as opposed to normal thyristors, are fully controllable switches which can be turned on and off by their third lead, the GATE lead.-Device description:...
devices, with control via an ABB MICAS-S2. Maximum power is 5 MW on 25 kV or 4 MW on 750 V; with a tractive effort of 360 kN.
The locomotive is fitted with both rheostatic and regenerative braking, in addition to standard westinghouse air brake
Air brake (rail)
An air brake is a conveyance braking system actuated by compressed air. Modern trains rely upon a fail-safe air brake system that is based upon a design patented by George Westinghouse on March 5, 1872. The Westinghouse Air Brake Company was subsequently organized to manufacture and sell...
equipment. An electrical train bus is fitted to enable two locomotives to work in multiple formation, either double-heading
Double-heading
In railroad terminology, double-heading or double heading indicates the use of two locomotives at the front of a train, each operated individually by its own crew. The practice of triple-heading involves the use of three locomotives....
or push-pull
Push-pull train
Push–pull is a mode of operation for locomotive-hauled trains allowing them to be driven from either end.A push–pull train has a locomotive at one end of the train, connected via some form of remote control, such as multiple-unit train control, to a vehicle equipped with a control cab at the other...
train with a Driving Van Trailer
Driving Van Trailer
A Driving Van Trailer is a purpose-built railway vehicle that allows the driver to operate a locomotive at the opposite end of a train. Trains operating with a DVT therefore do not require the locomotive to be moved around to the other end of the train at terminal stations...
or DBSO
Driving Brake Standard Open
A Driving Brake Standard Open or DBSO is a type of railway carriage, converted to operate as a control car. Fourteen such vehicles, numbered 9701 to 9714, were converted from Mk. 2F Brake Standard Open carriages. Modifications included adding a driving cab and TDM equipment to allow a locomotive...
.
Operations
Prior to introduction to service, two locomotives (92001 and 92002) were extensively tested at the Czech RailwayCeské dráhy
České dráhy or Czech Railways is the main railway operator of the Czech Republic. In 2010 its consolidated revenues reached CZK 41.0 bn...
's test track at Velim near Kolin
Kolín
Kolín is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic some east from Prague, lying on the Elbe river.-History:Kolín was founded by king Přemysl Otakar II in the 13th century, first mentioned in 1261. Later on, 1437, a castle was founded here...
. One locomotive was temporarily moved from here to Vienna Arsenal
Arsenal (Vienna)
The Arsenal is a former military complex of buildings in the south-east of Vienna in the third district.Several brick buildings in a rectangle layout make up the complex which is located on a bank south of the Landstraßer Gürtel...
for climatic testing.
The majority of the class are named after European composers and writers. Post-privatisation
Privatisation of British Rail
The privatisation of British Rail was set in motion when the Conservative government enacted, on 19 January 1993, the British Coal and British Rail Act 1993 . This enabled the relevant Secretary of State to issue directions to the relevant Board...
the ownership was split between EWS
EWS
DB Schenker Rail , before 2009 known as English, Welsh and Scottish Railway is a British rail freight company. EWS was established by a consortium led by Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation in 1996 by acquisition of five of the six freight companies created by the privatisation of British...
, European Passenger Services (Eurostar (UK)
Eurostar (U.K.) Ltd.
Eurostar International Limited is the operator of the Eurostar service operating between London, Paris and Brussels. It was formed on 1 September 2010 and is owned by London and Continental Railways , NMBS/SNCB and SNCF...
and SNCF
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
.
During 2000 Eurostar (UK) offered their seven members of the class (92020 / 021 / 032 / 040 / 044-046) for sale being surplus to requirements with the non commencement of sleeper services through the Channel Tunnel. However no buyer could be immediately found so they were decommissioned and stored at Crewe International
Crewe Electric TMD
Crewe Electric TMD is an AC electric locomotive Traction Maintenance Depot situated to the north of Crewe railway station. The depot is situated on the south side of the Crewe to Chester railway line opposite Crewe Works on Victoria Avenue. The depot is operated by EWS...
electric depot. Five of these locomotives have now been purchased by Eurotunnel to be used by their Europorte 2
Europorte 2
Europorte is a European rail freight company, a subsidiary of Eurotunnel; operating in France and through the Channel Tunnel.The company was formed in 2009 as an entity encompassing the previous operations of Europorte 2 and the France based businesses of Veolia Cargo...
rail freight undertaking for short haul rail traffic in France.
In 2009 a project is undertaken with the aim of allowing the class to be modified for operations on High Speed 1: i.e. with TVM signalling. The project received funding from the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
and it was anticipated services will begin in early 2010. On 25 March 2011 for the first time a modified class 92 locomotive travelled from Dollands Moor to Singlewell using the TVM430 signalling system. A loaded container train ran for the first time on 27 May 2011, and further trials with loaded wagons are planned until the end of June 2011.
The class is also notable in that the last train ever to travel under British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
, the 2315 service from Dollands Moor to Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
on 21 November 1997, was hauled by 92003 Beethoven.
Liveries
All units were originally painted in Railfreight DistributionRailfreight Distribution
Railfreight Distribution was a subsector of British Rail created by the division in 1987 of British Rail's previous Railfreight sector. It was responsible for non-trainload freight operations, as well as Freightliner and Intermodal services. In its early years the division was occasionally...
(RFD) two-tone grey livery at introduction in the late 1980s. Nine locomotives belonged to SNCF
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
of France, these were differentiated by having a small SNCF logo under the cab side-windows instead of a BR one. A number of Class 92 locomotives for Railfreight Distribution had a "Sector Distribution" logo included, with the words "Railfreight Distribution" written along the locomotive side panels.
Following the privatisation of British Rail
Privatisation of British Rail
The privatisation of British Rail was set in motion when the Conservative government enacted, on 19 January 1993, the British Coal and British Rail Act 1993 . This enabled the relevant Secretary of State to issue directions to the relevant Board...
, all of the EWS-owned locomotives had originally been planned to be painted in the EWS' gold and maroon colours. In the end, only two locomotives received gold and maroon paint liveries (92001 and 92031). The rest of the locomotives had a large EWS Logo applied halfway along the side. For locomotives with Railfreight Distribution branding, this logo served to cover over the original Sector Distribution logo.
Six Class 92s allocated to Eurostar
Eurostar
Eurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London with Paris and Brussels. All its trains traverse the Channel Tunnel between England and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel....
retained their two-tone grey livery although there had been a plan to repaint these locomotives into Nightstar
Nightstar (train)
The Nightstar was a proposed overnight sleeper service from various parts of Britain to continental Europe, via the Channel Tunnel. To run alongside the Eurostar and north of London day time Regional Eurostar services, the Nightstar was the last part in a round the clock passenger train...
two-tone green livery. The combination of rail privatisation, technical problems, and the growth of point to point low cost airlines undermined the Nightstar venture, and the project was abandoned before a single revenue-earning service had even begun. The locomotives remained in two-tone grey until they were purchased by Europorte 2
Europorte 2
Europorte is a European rail freight company, a subsidiary of Eurotunnel; operating in France and through the Channel Tunnel.The company was formed in 2009 as an entity encompassing the previous operations of Europorte 2 and the France based businesses of Veolia Cargo...
in the 2000s. Europorte applied the designation "Europorte 2" inside a large Eurotunnel-style circle.
Following the takeover of EWS by DB Schenker, most of the fleet of Class 92s will likely move to DB Schenker Red liveries, matching that on previously repainted Class 66s. 92009 Was the first locomtoive to be outshopped in the new DB Schenker Red livery. The name "Elgar" had been removed; and the locomotive was subsequently renamed "Marco Polo" later during August 2011. The new livery has been completed on three locomotives (92009, 92016 and 92042). 92031 is the next planned loco to be repainted at Toton TMD.
In 2009, locomotive 92017 (formerly Shakespeare) was painted into Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail
Stobart Rail is a railway freight service operator in the United Kingdom. Stobart Rail now comes under the Stobart Transport and Distribution division of the Stobart Group, and carries intermodal freight for the group...
's blue and white livery and named Bart the Engine.
On 10 March 2011, locomotive 92032 appeared in the new Europorte GB Railfreight livery. In July 2011 Europorte 2
Europorte 2
Europorte is a European rail freight company, a subsidiary of Eurotunnel; operating in France and through the Channel Tunnel.The company was formed in 2009 as an entity encompassing the previous operations of Europorte 2 and the France based businesses of Veolia Cargo...
/Eurotunnel purchased the five remaining locomotives that had belonged to SNCF, bringing Eurotunnel's total up to sixteen Class 92s.
Fleet
| Subclass | Number built (year) | TOPS TOPS Total Operations Processing System, or TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock owned by a rail system... number range |
Operators | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92/0 | 46 (1993–1996) | 92001–92005, 92007–92009, 92011–92013, 92015–92017, 92019, 92022, 92024–92027, 92029–92031, 92034–92037, 92039, 92041–92042 | DB Schenker DB Schenker Rail (UK) DB Schenker Rail , before 2009 known as English, Welsh and Scottish Railway is a British rail freight company. EWS was established by a consortium led by Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation in 1996 by acquisition of five of the six freight companies created by the privatisation of British... |
92009 first to be converted for Channel Tunnel Rail Link Channel Tunnel Rail Link High Speed 1 , officially known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and originally as the Continental Main Line , is a high-speed railway line running from London through Kent to the British end of the Channel Tunnel.The line was built to carry international passenger traffic from the United Kingdom... usage with the necessary TVM modifications, 92016 has also had the necessary TVM modifications |
| 92006, 92010, 92014, 92018, 92020/92021, 92023, 92028, 92032–92033, 92038, 92040, 92043–92046 | Eurotunnel Eurotunnel Groupe Eurotunnel S.A. manages and operates the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The Company operates the car shuttle services and earns revenue on other trains passing through the tunnel... |