Multi-system (rail)
Encyclopedia
A Multi-system locomotive (also referred to as multi-system electric locomotive) is one that is able to operate using more than one railway electrification system
, such as the British Rail Class 92
which can operate from both 750 V DC third rail
and 25 kV, 50 Hz AC from overhead lines
.
As well as multi-system electric locomotive
s, there are also multi-system electric multiple unit, such as the Olympic Javelins
and other multi-system trains, such as the Eurostar
trainsets and Metro North
's M2 railcars
(right).
Multi-system train
s are used to provide continuous journeys along routes that are electrified using more than one system. These may be electric multiple units built to serve long distance routes, often crossing national borders, or where newer high speed rail lines are electrified with the de facto standard of 25 kV AC from overhead lines whilst the adjacent classic lines use a different older system.
or an electro-diesel multiple unit can also be multi-system, such as the SNCF Class B 82500
multiple unit train which can use both 1.5 kV DC and 25 kV AC
both overhead, as well as having its own diesel engine
s.
At the beginning of the 21st century railway legislation in Europe (the First Railway Package and Second Railway Package
, and the creation of a Trans European Rail Freight Network) liberalised cross border freight traffic, giving rise to demand for locomotives to work between European Union
countries with different electrification systems. and creating a practically new market for multivoltage locomotives such as Bombardier's TRAXX
. However increase cost of purchase and maintenance, along with costs of different safety system installations for cross border work have reduced the economic viability of multisystem vehicles versus the use of single voltage machines and locomotive changing.
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
, such as the British Rail Class 92
British Rail Class 92
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...
which can operate from both 750 V DC 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...
and 25 kV, 50 Hz AC from overhead lines
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
s, there are also multi-system electric multiple unit, such as the Olympic Javelins
British Rail Class 395
British Rail Class 395 is a dual-voltage electric multiple unit used by train operating company Southeastern for its services along High Speed 1 and onwards to the Kent coast. The trains were built in Japan by Hitachi and shipped to the United Kingdom to operate new high speed domestic services...
and other multi-system trains, such as the Eurostar
British Rail Class 373
The British Rail Class 373 or TGV-TMST train is an electric multiple unit that operates Eurostar's high-speed rail service between Britain, France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel...
trainsets and Metro North
Metro north
Metro North can refer to either of* Metro-North Railroad, a commuter railroad serving parts of New York and Connecticut in the United States* Dublin Metro#Metro North, a branch of the proposed Dublin Metro, in Dublin, Ireland...
's M2 railcars
M2 (railcar)
The M2 is a series of 244 electric multiple unit cars produced for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for use on the New Haven Line...
(right).
Multi-system train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s are used to provide continuous journeys along routes that are electrified using more than one system. These may be electric multiple units built to serve long distance routes, often crossing national borders, or where newer high speed rail lines are electrified with the de facto standard of 25 kV AC from overhead lines whilst the adjacent classic lines use a different older system.
Multi-system electro-diesels
An electro-diesel locomotiveElectro-diesel locomotive
An Electro-diesel locomotive is powered either from an electricity supply or by using the onboard diesel engine...
or an electro-diesel multiple unit can also be multi-system, such as the SNCF Class B 82500
SNCF Class B 82500
The B 82500 is a class of hybrid multi-system electro-diesel multiple units built by Bombardier for SNCF. It is capable of operating on diesel power, and under and electrification. Unlike other models in the AGC lineup, this class is available only as 4-car sets, not 3-car ones...
multiple unit train which can use both 1.5 kV DC and 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....
both overhead, as well as having its own diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s.
European Union
Prior to 1945 there was little demand for multisystem locomotives in Europe. From the 1950s onwards the formation of the European Union and the consequent increase in the amount of cross border traffic, and the addition of a 25kV 50Hz AC system in France in addition to the older 1.5kV DC system both gave rise to new needs for multivoltage locomotives. Very high capital costs prevent or hinder the adoption of a standard railway electrification system.At the beginning of the 21st century railway legislation in Europe (the First Railway Package and Second Railway Package
Second Railway Package
The Second Railway Package is a group of European Union legislation which promote common standards and open access, working towards an integrated European railway area.-History:...
, and the creation of a Trans European Rail Freight Network) liberalised cross border freight traffic, giving rise to demand for locomotives to work between European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
countries with different electrification systems. and creating a practically new market for multivoltage locomotives such as Bombardier's TRAXX
TRAXX
Bombardier TRAXX is a modular product platform of electric and Diesel-electric mainline locomotives built by Bombardier Transportation, built in both freight and passenger variants...
. However increase cost of purchase and maintenance, along with costs of different safety system installations for cross border work have reduced the economic viability of multisystem vehicles versus the use of single voltage machines and locomotive changing.