Power type Diesel UIC class Co'Co' | Build date 2006? (Ordered 2004) | |
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Total produced AR15 VR: 16 (for Vietnam Railways) Gauge AR15: 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ⁄8 in) to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
AR20: 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Length 19.180 m (62 ft 11.1 in) | ||
The Siemens Asiarunner locomotives are contemporaries to the Eurorunner class and are designed specifically for the South-East Asian market - in particular metre gauge - key features are a Co'Co' wheel arrangement (resulting in low axle loads) and good clearance (see Loading gauge)
Contents
Development
Much of the development of the Asiarunner locomotive had to be done from scratch, since Siemens had no contemporary example of a narrow gauge, or of a locomotive that was built to a smaller loading gauge that UIC 505-1.
Nevertheless, the design mirrors in part the modular concept found in Siemens other locomotives (the Eurosprinter and Eurorunner). The main frame is one such module. The drivers cabins are also modular components.
Access to the main engine compartment is via the roof, which has three removable segments, there is a single side corridor which allows an escape route in the event of certain emergencies (compare the wide gauge Eurorunners which have two passageways)
The engine is a 12-cylinder MTU model - similar to that used in the Eurorunner except with 12 instead of 16 cylinders.
The locos can work in multiple with up to three connected.
Operators
Vietnam railways has 16 of the AR15 model which will be used on the main Hanoi – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City route serving both passenger(only Tet) and freight services.
The locomotive is designed for used in Asia, Africa, South America and Australia