DB Class E 40
Encyclopedia
The Baureihe E 40 is a German Standard electric locomotive
(German: Einheits-Elektrolokomotive) commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn
in 1955, designed for freight train
s. Since the 1968 renumbering, it is listed as Class 140 and Class 139.
introduced two general types of electric locomotives with standardised components: A twelve wheel (UIC: Co'Co') freight train locomotive as successor for the class E 94 and an eight wheel (UIC: Bo'Bo') general purpose electric locomotive as successor for the class E 44. A new feature was that the driver was seated, whereas formerly they had to stand.
During the construction period the speed requirement for a general purpose locomotive (working title E 46, then changed to class E 10
) was increased to that point that the layout was one for an express train locomotive. Two types were not found sufficient to cover all needs, so the Einheits-Elektrolokomotive
n program was changed to four general types: Light passenger train locomotive (class E 41
), express train locomotive (class E 10
), freight train locomotive class E 40 and heavy freight train locomotive (class E 50
). All four classes were designed to share as many components as possible.
along with additional minor changes.
As all other types of the Einheitslokomotiven program the class E 40 had welded bogies with central pins. Instead the formerly used axle hung motors it used a quill drive
with a circular rubber spring as a connecting element ("Gummiringfeder" in German) reducing unsprung mass. The control unit had 28 power settings.
879 units were built, making it the Einheitslokomotive (standard locomotive) of its era.
The original speed was 100 km/h, this was enhanced to 110 km/h in 1969 in order to allow better usability also for commuter trains. A sub-series, known as 140.8, were equipped for push-pull train
operation.
In 1968 class E 40 was renumbered to class 140.
between Düsseldorf
and Wuppertal
and the Höllentalbahn
in southern Germany. Nowadays these engines are in service around Munich
, with recent services to Austria, where the electric brake is very useful. In the beginning of the 1990s some additional class 139 (as they were renumbered in 1968) were built by equipping class 110 units with class 140 bogies and gearboxes from class 110 units pulled out of service.
Both class 140 and class 139 are being replaced by newer constructions such as class 145, class 185 and class 189. It is widely expected that the last units will be scrapped before 2010, though the higher than expected increase in railway freight traffic has created some traction shortages, thus some class 140 units are being overhauled.
Einheits-Elektrolokomotive
Einheits-Elektrolokomotive is a German railroad term for the Class E10, Class E40, Class E41 and Class E50 locomotives that were commissioned after World War II by the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany...
(German: Einheits-Elektrolokomotive) commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
in 1955, designed for freight train
Freight train
A freight train or goods train is a group of freight cars or goods wagons hauled by one or more locomotives on a railway, ultimately transporting cargo between two points as part of the logistics chain...
s. Since the 1968 renumbering, it is listed as Class 140 and Class 139.
Development
In 1950, the Deutsche BundesbahnDeutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
introduced two general types of electric locomotives with standardised components: A twelve wheel (UIC: Co'Co') freight train locomotive as successor for the class E 94 and an eight wheel (UIC: Bo'Bo') general purpose electric locomotive as successor for the class E 44. A new feature was that the driver was seated, whereas formerly they had to stand.
During the construction period the speed requirement for a general purpose locomotive (working title E 46, then changed to class E 10
DB Class E 10
The class E 10 is an electric locomotive of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, introduced in 1952. It belongs to the Einheits-Elektrolokomotiven program and was built for express passenger service. In 1968 the series was redesignated as class 110 and class 112...
) was increased to that point that the layout was one for an express train locomotive. Two types were not found sufficient to cover all needs, so the Einheits-Elektrolokomotive
Einheits-Elektrolokomotive
Einheits-Elektrolokomotive is a German railroad term for the Class E10, Class E40, Class E41 and Class E50 locomotives that were commissioned after World War II by the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany...
n program was changed to four general types: Light passenger train locomotive (class E 41
DB Class E 41
The Baureihe E 41 is the first class of German Einheits-Elektrolokomotive commissioned by the Deutsche Bundesbahn in 1956.-Development and first years of service:...
), express train locomotive (class E 10
DB Class E 10
The class E 10 is an electric locomotive of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, introduced in 1952. It belongs to the Einheits-Elektrolokomotiven program and was built for express passenger service. In 1968 the series was redesignated as class 110 and class 112...
), freight train locomotive class E 40 and heavy freight train locomotive (class E 50
DB Class 150
The Class 150 is an electric heavy freight locomotive built for German Federal Railways between 1957 and 1973. They were built as heavy freight movers to be used on the increasingly electrified main lines of the DB, where they were set to replace the steam traction.In 1957 the first locomotive, 150...
). All four classes were designed to share as many components as possible.
Production and design of Class E 40
The class E 40 basically is a class E 10 without electric brake, altered gear ratio for lower speed and correspondingly higher tractive effortTractive effort
As used in mechanical engineering, the term tractive force is the pulling or pushing force exerted by a vehicle on another vehicle or object. The term tractive effort is synonymous with tractive force, and is often used in railway engineering to describe the pulling or pushing capability of a...
along with additional minor changes.
As all other types of the Einheitslokomotiven program the class E 40 had welded bogies with central pins. Instead the formerly used axle hung motors it used a quill drive
Quill drive
A quill drive is a mechanism that allows a drive shaft to shift its position relative to its driving shaft. It consists of a hollow driving shaft with a driven shaft inside it...
with a circular rubber spring as a connecting element ("Gummiringfeder" in German) reducing unsprung mass. The control unit had 28 power settings.
879 units were built, making it the Einheitslokomotive (standard locomotive) of its era.
The original speed was 100 km/h, this was enhanced to 110 km/h in 1969 in order to allow better usability also for commuter trains. A sub-series, known as 140.8, were equipped for push-pull train
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...
operation.
In 1968 class E 40 was renumbered to class 140.
Subclass E 40.11
Starting in 1959, 31 locomotives were equipped with electrical brakes (as all class E 10 units were) for the ramp near Erkrath-HochdahlErkrath
Erkrath is a town in the district of Mettmann, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany-Geography:Erkrath is situated on the Düssel river, directly east of Düsseldorf and west of Wuppertal, close to the famous Neandertal....
between Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
and Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
and the Höllentalbahn
Höllentalbahn
Höllentalbahn is the name of a number of stretches of railway in German-speaking countries. They are differentiated by the name of the region in which they are located...
in southern Germany. Nowadays these engines are in service around Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, with recent services to Austria, where the electric brake is very useful. In the beginning of the 1990s some additional class 139 (as they were renumbered in 1968) were built by equipping class 110 units with class 140 bogies and gearboxes from class 110 units pulled out of service.
Both class 140 and class 139 are being replaced by newer constructions such as class 145, class 185 and class 189. It is widely expected that the last units will be scrapped before 2010, though the higher than expected increase in railway freight traffic has created some traction shortages, thus some class 140 units are being overhauled.