Power type Diesel Wheel diameter 1100 mm | UIC class Bo'Bo' Minimum curve 80 m | |
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Builder Vossloh España (after 2016 Stadler Rail Valencia) Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in) | ||
Eurolight is the brand name for a family of 4-axle Bo'Bo' mainline diesel-electric locomotives first manufactured in 2010 with sub-20-tonne axleloads for passenger and freight trains produced by Vossloh España.
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Specific versions for the United Kingdom market, and a 6-axle Co'Co' machine for narrow gauge Asian markets have been designed, named UKLight and AsiaLight respectively.
Background and design
In 2009 Vossloh announced its intention to expand its diesel locomotive range to include further shunting/light mainline locomotives with either hydraulic or electric transmissions, and to produce a mainline diesel-electric locomotive (EURO Light) for markets where an axleload below 20 t is required. The four-axle EuroLight was designed to have a low axle load for use on cross-border operations on non-electrified European secondary routes, enabling operators to bypass bottlenecks on main corridors.
The locomotive used components from the 20–22 t axleload Vossloh Euro locomotive series, but with a C175 engine from Caterpillar Inc. (12- or 16-cylinder of 2.3 or 2.8 MW) and traction electronics from ABB Group. The CAT engines meet European Stage IIIA emission standards, and can be modified to meet 2012 IIIB emission standards by replacing the exhaust silencer with a diesel particulate filter.
Mass reduction was achieved by switching to a lighter engine/alternator set, as well as using lighter weight auxiliary system components. The bogie is the design used in the RENFE Class 334 locomotive, with coil spring primary and secondary suspension.
The ABB traction system uses a 6-pole brushless WGX560 synchronous alternator directly coupled to the CAT engine. The alternator supplies two traction packages (ABB Bordline CC1500 DE Compact Converters. ), each with rectifier to create an intermediate DC supply, braking chopper, and drive electronics (AC800 PEC) with adhesion (anti slip) control controlling two traction inverters and one auxiliary inverter per package. There is one traction inverter per traction motor. The traction motors are rated at 600 kW at 4400 rpm. Head end power (for passenger versions) is taken from the intermediate DC link.
The first EuroLight was unveiled at the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin in 2010.
Modified versions for broad and narrow gauge railways, and a long distance 7000l fuel capacity version are also said to be buildable.
European mainland - EuroLight
Two prototypes were built in 2010, 248.001, and 248.002. 248.002 was exhibited at Innotrans in 2010. Homologation tests with 248.001 in Germany began in January 2011.
Italian operator Dinazzano Po ordered one unit in 2015.
United Kingdom - UKLight
On 5 January 2012 Direct Rail Services announced an order for fifteen 160 km/h (99 mph) EuroLight UK locos for intermodal and passenger work with a 2.8 MW (3,800 hp) C175-16 engine to be delivered in 2013, with options for more. Vossloh's product name for the design is UKLIGHT. They will be designed to fit the small loading gauge in the UK, and will be manufactured at Vossloh España's plant in Valencia, Spain, with an expected delivery date of late 2013. They are known in the United Kingdom as the class 68. The value of the contract has been estimated at £45 million.
The design and livery of the Direct Rail Services' class 68s was published in early 2013. The first of the units was put under construction by May 2013, with testing at Velim test track and delivery to UK for certification initially expected for Sept./Oct. 2013; By December 2013 number 68001 had begun tests at Velim, and 68002 had been completed at Albuixech.
The first, 68002 Intrepid, was shipped to Southampton and transported to Carlisle in January 2014, trials commenced in February 2014, initially between Carlisle and Crewe.
In September 2014 an option for ten further UKLights was confirmed to have been taken up by DRS/BeaconRail. Seven more units were confirmed as ordered in July 2015. As of April 2016 there are 25 Class 68 locomotives in service with the further 7 on order.
Asia - AsiaLight
A narrow gauge, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), six axle Co'Co' design has also been proposed. The locomotive weight would be 96 tons with an engine power of 1,800 to 2,800 kW (2,400 to 3,800 hp) at 1800 rpm, depending on engine installed (either 12 or 16 cylinder engines, either CAT, Cummins or MTU designs). Top speed would be 120 km/h (75 mph) and starting tractive effort 320 kN (72,000 lbf).