Vossloh Euro locomotives
Encyclopedia
Vossloh Euro is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by Vossloh
for the European market. It is available in two basic variants, the four-axle Euro 3000 and the six-axle Euro 4000.
or Vossloh G2000. With the success of these operators rising and trains getting heavier, the need of a complete new high-powered diesel locomotive series was becoming high, especially for cross-border freight traffic where absence of, or changes in electrification voltage made electric traction impossible or problematic.
Primarily due to environmental issues and high costs, developments for such a new locomotive series were pushed back whenever possible. In the mid-2000s development of a new series finally seemed economically viable; becoming part of Alstom's locomotive programme Prima. Development of the programme was started under Alstom supervision, but as the Alstom Valencia plant was bought by Vossloh this series got the Vossloh name: Vossloh Euro.
The family can be traced back to the Electro-Motive Diesel engined, Valencia built JT 42BW, JT 42CW and JT 42HW-HS family which were built in various configurations (including 4 and 6 axle variants) for both Israel Railways
and England, Wales and Scottish Railway
(as the Class 67
); these locomotives used the same GM-EMD engines and traction motors and had similar body shells to the products later built at the Valencia plant under Vossloh's ownership.
In 2004 the Valencia plant left Alstom
ownership and was bought by Vossloh; because of this change of ownership there are many similarities between the Vossloh Euro locomotives, the Alsthom/GM-EMD JT42 locomotives.
After the change of ownership the next product to roll off the lines at Valencia was the RENFE
334 class of locomotives which are (excluding minor differences) Iberian gauge
versions of the later Vossloh Euro locomotives.
) EMD 710
engine and EMD D43 electric motors with associated electronic controls (except for the Euro 3000 AC introduced in 2011, which uses EMD AC electric motors). Thus EMD supplies the entire engine (see also prime mover
) and power transmission system for these locomotives including the generator
.
The rigid bodyshell show technical similarities with the predecessors (RENFE 334, EWS Class 67). The design is modular allowing easy access and change of internal components.
Vossloh suggests that the locomotives could be supplied with alternative engines subject to the customers demands.
The twin cabs have a central driving position with the controls arranged around the drivers seat, the cab is air-conditioned and temperature controlled and designed to minimise noise.
Cold weather variants are available - with additional devices to prevent snow causing problems.
As the locomotives are designed specifically with the European rail network in mind: they can be fitted a variety of different safety systems and is prepared for the ETCS (European Train Control System
).
Both versions are available in passenger and freight versions, and also in 1435 mm or 1668 mm gauge.
While there have been several orders for the Euro 4000 model, there have only been two orders for the Euro 3000 model, in 2004 and 2011. The Euro will 3000 units ordered by Israel Railways in 2011 differ considerably from the earlier Euro 3000 model. Named Euro 3000 AC, their chassis will resemble that of Vossloh's new Eurolight locomotive, they will utilize a newer and more advanced variant of the EMD710 12-cylinder 3,300hp engine, will use newer computerized control systems and employ EMD/Siemens AC traction motors (rather than DC engines on the original Euro 3000 model) which will be mounted in a Bo'Bo' bogie of a different design than the earlier Euro 3000 model.
ordered prior to the change of ownership of the Valencia plant; they continued production under Vossloh ownership. (The RENFE 334's can be considered members of both the Alstom Prima and Vossloh Euro locomotive families). There have only been two orders for the Euro 3000 model, in 2004 and 2011, with these two Euro 3000 variants differing significantly technically (see 'Technology' section above).
The Euro 4000 demonstrator locomotive was built in 2006 and was exhibited at the InnoTrans 2006 fair. It was then tested on different German main lines before being sold to Angel Trains Cargo.
Vossloh
Vossloh AG is a German transport technology manufacturer based in the Westphalian town of Werdohl. The group has 4,700 employees , and generated sales of €1.2 billion, of which approximately 60% came from the rail infrastructure division, and the remainder from the motive power and components...
for the European market. It is available in two basic variants, the four-axle Euro 3000 and the six-axle Euro 4000.
History and background
At the beginning of the 2000s numerous private train operators emerged in mainland Europe, as open-access freight operation was already granted in some European countries before complete liberalization in 2012. These mainly used second-hand diesel locomotives formerly in use with the state railways of the respective country, or new medium-powered diesel locomotives like the Class 66EMD Series 66
The Electro-Motive Diesel Class 66 is a series of Co-Co six axle diesel locomotives built by EMD for the European heavy freight market....
or Vossloh G2000. With the success of these operators rising and trains getting heavier, the need of a complete new high-powered diesel locomotive series was becoming high, especially for cross-border freight traffic where absence of, or changes in electrification voltage made electric traction impossible or problematic.
Primarily due to environmental issues and high costs, developments for such a new locomotive series were pushed back whenever possible. In the mid-2000s development of a new series finally seemed economically viable; becoming part of Alstom's locomotive programme Prima. Development of the programme was started under Alstom supervision, but as the Alstom Valencia plant was bought by Vossloh this series got the Vossloh name: Vossloh Euro.
The family can be traced back to the Electro-Motive Diesel engined, Valencia built JT 42BW, JT 42CW and JT 42HW-HS family which were built in various configurations (including 4 and 6 axle variants) for both Israel Railways
Israel Railways
Israel Railways is the principal passenger railway operating company in Israel, and is responsible for all inter-city and suburban rail way passenger and freight traffic in the country. All its lines are standard gauge. The network is centered in Israel's densely populated coastal plain, from...
and England, Wales and Scottish Railway
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...
(as the Class 67
British Rail Class 67
The Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo'Bo' diesel electric mainline locomotives which were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway between 1999 to 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components from General Motors Diesel.Rail enthusiasts have nicknamed the class...
); these locomotives used the same GM-EMD engines and traction motors and had similar body shells to the products later built at the Valencia plant under Vossloh's ownership.
In 2004 the Valencia plant left Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
ownership and was bought by Vossloh; because of this change of ownership there are many similarities between the Vossloh Euro locomotives, the Alsthom/GM-EMD JT42 locomotives.
After the change of ownership the next product to roll off the lines at Valencia was the RENFE
RENFE
Renfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm "Iberian gauge" and 1435-mm "European gauge" networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF .- History :The name RENFE is derived from that of the former Spanish National...
334 class of locomotives which are (excluding minor differences) Iberian gauge
Iberian gauge
Iberian gauge is the name given to the track gauge most extensively used by the railways of Spain and Portugal: namely ....
versions of the later Vossloh Euro locomotives.
Technology
The common factor between this class of locomotives and its predecessors is the General Motors Electro-motive (now Electro-Motive Diesel, since 2010 a subsidiary of CaterpillarCaterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
) EMD 710
EMD 710
The EMD 710 is a line of diesel engines built by Electro-Motive Diesel . The 710 series largely replaced the earlier EMD 645 series. The EMD 710 is a large two-stroke diesel engine that has a displacement per cylinder. Since its introduction, EMD has continually upgraded the 710G diesel engine...
engine and EMD D43 electric motors with associated electronic controls (except for the Euro 3000 AC introduced in 2011, which uses EMD AC electric motors). Thus EMD supplies the entire engine (see also prime mover
Prime mover (locomotive)
In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine...
) and power transmission system for these locomotives including the generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
.
The rigid bodyshell show technical similarities with the predecessors (RENFE 334, EWS Class 67). The design is modular allowing easy access and change of internal components.
Vossloh suggests that the locomotives could be supplied with alternative engines subject to the customers demands.
The twin cabs have a central driving position with the controls arranged around the drivers seat, the cab is air-conditioned and temperature controlled and designed to minimise noise.
Cold weather variants are available - with additional devices to prevent snow causing problems.
As the locomotives are designed specifically with the European rail network in mind: they can be fitted a variety of different safety systems and is prepared for the ETCS (European Train Control System
European Train Control System
The European Train Control System is a signalling, control andtrain protection system designed to replace the many incompatible safety systems currently used by European railways, especially on high-speed lines.- History :...
).
Both versions are available in passenger and freight versions, and also in 1435 mm or 1668 mm gauge.
While there have been several orders for the Euro 4000 model, there have only been two orders for the Euro 3000 model, in 2004 and 2011. The Euro will 3000 units ordered by Israel Railways in 2011 differ considerably from the earlier Euro 3000 model. Named Euro 3000 AC, their chassis will resemble that of Vossloh's new Eurolight locomotive, they will utilize a newer and more advanced variant of the EMD710 12-cylinder 3,300hp engine, will use newer computerized control systems and employ EMD/Siemens AC traction motors (rather than DC engines on the original Euro 3000 model) which will be mounted in a Bo'Bo' bogie of a different design than the earlier Euro 3000 model.
Career and orders
The passenger version Euro 3000 locomotives are essentially the same as RENFE class 334RENFE Class 334
The RENFE 334 is a high speed, 4 axle passenger locomotive built for RENFE's Talgo service on non electrified lines.-Background:With the well known RENFE Class 333 locomotives having served for over 30 years the Spanish rail operator faced decisions as to their future...
ordered prior to the change of ownership of the Valencia plant; they continued production under Vossloh ownership. (The RENFE 334's can be considered members of both the Alstom Prima and Vossloh Euro locomotive families). There have only been two orders for the Euro 3000 model, in 2004 and 2011, with these two Euro 3000 variants differing significantly technically (see 'Technology' section above).
The Euro 4000 demonstrator locomotive was built in 2006 and was exhibited at the InnoTrans 2006 fair. It was then tested on different German main lines before being sold to Angel Trains Cargo.
| Company | Gauge | Type | Number | Date ordered | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RENFE RENFE Renfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm "Iberian gauge" and 1435-mm "European gauge" networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF .- History :The name RENFE is derived from that of the former Spanish National... |
1668 mm | Euro 3000 passenger (RENFE 334) | 28 | 2004 | Ordered before the company was part of Vossloh - the RENFE class 334 is effectively a 1668 mm Euro 3000 passenger version. |
| Comsa COMSA Grupo COMSA is a Spanish construction and infrastructure company whose main business historically has been railway infrastructure work. Later the business expanded into more general construction and infrastructure work.... |
1668 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 2 | Second unit was used to get the device certified in Spain and Portugal. Named "Comsa 335 series" | |
| Railcare | 1435 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 2 | 2005 | Allco Allco Finance Group Allco Financial Group was a fully integrated global financial services business, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and head-quartered in Sydney, Australia. Major services provided are structured asset finance, funds management and debt and equity funding. Allco has over A$4.3 billion in... bought two locomotives in 2005 for their leasing operation, one was sent of to the Swedish operator Tågab for winterization and certification in Norway and Sweden. The other was used for various tests and certification in Germany. Shortly after Allco decided to divest from Europe and focus on Australia and the US and subsequently turned the engines back to Vossloh. In late 2008 the engines were certified for operation in Scandinavia and about the same time the German loco was shipped to Sweden for the same winterization treatment. Since 2009, both locomotives have been owned by the Swedish rail maintenance and haulage company Railcare. |
| Beacon Rail | 1435 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 6 | 2009 | Allco groups European operations were bought by Bank of Tokyo and Mitsubishi The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ is the largest bank in Japan, which was established on January 1, 2006, with the merger of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. and UFJ Bank Ltd. The bank serves as the core retail and commercial banking arm of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.... to form Beacon Rail. As mentioned above, Allco had previously owned Euro 4000 locomotives, but they were turned back to Vossloh, who in turn sold them to Railcare trough Tågab. Starting all over again, Beacon Rail ordered six locomotives for a lease to CargoNet CargoNet CargoNet AS is the primary operator of freight trains on the Norwegian railway system. It was formed as NSB Gods after NSB fissioned into a passenger and a freight company. NSB Gods changed its name to CargoNet at the beginning of 2002. It is owned by NSB and the Swedish freight company Green Cargo... of Norway. |
| Angel Trains Angel Trains Angel Trains is an English Rolling Stock Operating Company created in 1994 as part of the privatisation of British Rail. It was one of three ROSCOs... |
1668 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 24 | 2006 | "Angel trains cargo 335 series" with signaling for both Spain and Portugal |
| Angel Trains | 1435 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 0 | 12 for hire in central Europe ordered, but the order was changed to six more with Iberian gauge, the rest of order was canceled and built locomotives sold to Beacon Rail. | |
| Continental Rail S.A. | 1668 mm | Euro 4000 | 4 | 2007 | For open access operations in Spain |
| Takargo (Cargo Rail) | 1668 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 7 | 2008 | For use in Iberian Peninsula Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar... , Takargo is a subsidiary of Portuguese company MOTA-ENGIL. Probably total of 14 ordered. |
| MBTA Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the... |
1435 mm | Euro 4000 passenger | 0 | 2007 | Order has not been placed due to denied waiver of 'buy American' law |
| Ferrovial Agroman Ferrovial Ferrovial, S.A. is a Spanish multinational company involved in the design, build, financing, operation and maintenance of transport, urban and services infrastructure. It is a publicly-traded company and is part of the IBEX 35 market value-weighted stock market index... |
1668 mm | Euro 4000 freight | 1 | 2009 | For use in Iberian Peninsula Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar... . |
| Israel Railways Israel Railways Israel Railways is the principal passenger railway operating company in Israel, and is responsible for all inter-city and suburban rail way passenger and freight traffic in the country. All its lines are standard gauge. The network is centered in Israel's densely populated coastal plain, from... |
1435 mm | Euro 3000 AC passenger | 15 | 2011 | Israel Railways already operates diesel locomotives from Alstom/GM-EMD (JT42BW). The locomotives will be used in push-pull mode with Bombardier Double-deck Coach Bombardier Double-deck Coach The Bombardier Double-deck Coach is a bilevel passenger car built by Bombardier Transportation used by various European railways. The current generation of double-deck coaches can be run at speeds up to 160 km/h... es as well as the Viaggio Light Siemens Viaggio Light Siemens Viaggio Light is a standard gauge single-deck passenger train made by Siemens AG, initially as the diesel ISR SDPP Train for Israel Railways. The first order included 87 cars, with an option for a total of 585 cars. The cars arrived in Israel during 2008 and are gradually entering service... coaches. First deliveries for the Euro 3000 locos are planned for September 2012. |
| Israel Railways Israel Railways Israel Railways is the principal passenger railway operating company in Israel, and is responsible for all inter-city and suburban rail way passenger and freight traffic in the country. All its lines are standard gauge. The network is centered in Israel's densely populated coastal plain, from... |
1435 mm | Euro 4000 passenger/freight | 14 | 2011 | Israel Railways already operates diesel locomotives from Alstom/GM-EMD (JT42CW). The locomotives will first be used for passenger services, later on also for freight services. First deliveries for the Euro 4000 locos are planned for November 2011. |