UIC class Co'Co'
Bo'Bo' *† | Wheel diameter 1,067 mm (42.0 in) | |
Builder Stadler Rail Valencia
(Before 2015 Vossloh España) Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) standard gauge Axle load 19 to 21 t (19 to 21 long tons; 21 to 23 short tons) Loco weight 114 to 126 t (112 to 124 long tons; 126 to 139 short tons) | ||
The Stadler Euro Dual is a design of dual power, electro-diesel locomotive by Stadler Rail Valencia. Two versions of the design have been ordered; 10 units for the United Kingdom and 50 units for South Africa.
Contents
The two versions above are marketed as UKDual and PrasaDual. A third version has also been built as a EuroDual with Co-Co wheel arrangement. Maximum duration power: 7 MW (electric) and 3 MW (diesel). The starting traction effort can be as much as 500 kN. The machine will feature AC traction motors and IGBT convertors. Full details have yet to be released but it is expected to be demonstrated by Stadler (who purchased Vossloh ES) shortly. It is expected to be a dual-mode replacement for the very successful Euro 4000 which will soon cease production as it is not IIIB compliant.
Background
At Innotrans 2012, Vossloh launched a range of dual mode locomotives - initial offers included the DM30 based on the Vossloh DE 18, and the EuroDual locomotives derived from its diesel Euro 4000 and EuroLight classes. Initial descriptions were of a Co'Co' locomotive with 5MW electrical power and 0.7 to 2.8 MW (940 to 3,750 hp) diesel power, with an axle load from 17 to 22.5 t (16.7 to 22.1 long tons; 18.7 to 24.8 short tons). Subsequent orders differed from the initial specifications, with orders from the UK and South Africa being for Bo-Bo locomotives.
British Rail Class 88
In September 2013, UK rail operator Direct Rail Services announced it had ordered ten Euro Dual locomotives, with a 700 kW engine, and 4MW rating electrical equipment (25KV AC operation). The type are to be given the Class 88. The design is a development of the Class 68 (Vossloh UKLight) diesel locomotives that Direct Rail Services introduced in 2014, having the bodyshell, cab, brakes, bogies, traction equipment and control software in common, the diesel engine is a 950 hp (710 kW) Caterpillar C27. The UK locomotives will comply with Euro III B emission limits.
In April 2016 one vehicle was transferred to the Velim railway test circuit for testing.
South Africa
In October 2013, Swifambo Rail Leasing placed a €250 million order for 50 Euro Dual and 20 Euro 4000 diesel locomotives, to be leased to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for use on Shosholoza Meyl services. The Euro Dual locomotives were to be Bo-Bo vehicles with 2.8MW diesel power and a top speed of 140 km/h.
In late 2015 PRASA began proceedings in the High Court of South Africa to terminate the contract for both the Afro4000 and Euro-Dual locomotives ordered from Vossolh, and to be repaid the R2.65-billion already expended. A specific problem cited was that the supplied diesel locomotives were substantially out of gauge for parts of the network, being 4.14m high, as opposed to a 3.965m limit specified by the government infrastructure and logisitics organisation Transnet). PRASA also claimed that Swifambo lacked the necessary experience, and or certification to be awarded the contract, and that Swifambo had failed to meet the terms of the bidding process, in that it lacked experience in the supply of railway equipment.