Blue Tiger (locomotive)
Encyclopedia
The Blue Tiger is a type of high powered diesel-electric locomotive developed by AdTranz
in association with General Electric
.
Initially the axle load was expected to be a light 18 tonnes and the power at ~2500 kW. In practice, the German locomotives had an axle load of 21 tonnes (which is normal for this type of diesel locomotive).
General Electric supplied diesel engines and electrical transmission system (which utilised IGBT-based inverters driving AC traction motors). The rest of the locomotive was built by AdTranz in Kassel
.
For the Pakistani export models a 16-cylinder engine was used.
Bombardier
took over AdTranz in 2001, subsequently the Blue Tiger locomotive was shown at InnoTrans
in 2002 with a view to European orders. The German production models had a mass of 126 tonnes (axle load 21 tonnes) and an engine power of 2,430 kW.
As of 2009, the class is no longer listed as a production model by Bombardier; GE lists also lists the family as a former production type. For the European market, Bomabardier produces the less powerful diesel variants of the TRAXX
family, whilst GE offers variants of its Evolution
series for export.
in the late 1990s. The locomotives were being built to a gauge of and powered by a 16 cylinder engine of 3300 hp instead of the 12 cylinder engine used in the prototype and other production models. The first ten were shipped out, the remainder assembled under license in Pakistan.
. They were designated as "Class 26
" (Numbers: 26101 - 26120).
All the locomotives were named after places in Malaysia. The locomotives proved reliable in service compared to the Malaysian Class 29
locomotives bought at around the same time.
Various companies have used the locomotives. Initially Karsdorfer Eisenbahngesellschaft GmbH (KEG) was to use 8 units, but went bankrupt in 2005. In 2006, the distribution was:
in N, TT and HO scale.
Adtranz
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation , commonly known under its brand Adtranz, was a multi-national rail transport equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the USA....
in association with General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
.
History and design
The prototype was unveiled in 1996.Initially the axle load was expected to be a light 18 tonnes and the power at ~2500 kW. In practice, the German locomotives had an axle load of 21 tonnes (which is normal for this type of diesel locomotive).
General Electric supplied diesel engines and electrical transmission system (which utilised IGBT-based inverters driving AC traction motors). The rest of the locomotive was built by AdTranz in Kassel
Kassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
.
For the Pakistani export models a 16-cylinder engine was used.
Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
took over AdTranz in 2001, subsequently the Blue Tiger locomotive was shown at InnoTrans
InnoTrans
InnoTrans is the world's largest trade fair focused on the rail transport industry. It is held every two years at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre, which has outdoor standard gauge railway sidings which can be used to exhibit railway vehicles...
in 2002 with a view to European orders. The German production models had a mass of 126 tonnes (axle load 21 tonnes) and an engine power of 2,430 kW.
As of 2009, the class is no longer listed as a production model by Bombardier; GE lists also lists the family as a former production type. For the European market, Bomabardier produces the less powerful diesel variants of the 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...
family, whilst GE offers variants of its Evolution
GE Evolution Series
The Evolution Series is a line of diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems, designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC...
series for export.
Pakistan
The first orders for the locomotives came from PakistanTransport in Pakistan
Transportation in Pakistan is extensive and varied but still in its developing stages and serving a population of over 170 million people. Construction of new airports, roads, and railway lines have led to an employment boost in the country. Much of Pakistan's road network and railway network...
in the late 1990s. The locomotives were being built to a gauge of and powered by a 16 cylinder engine of 3300 hp instead of the 12 cylinder engine used in the prototype and other production models. The first ten were shipped out, the remainder assembled under license in Pakistan.
Malaysia - KTM class 26
20 locomotives were built to gauge in 2003-2004 for KTMKeretapi Tanah Melayu
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad or Malayan Railways Limited is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was first built to transport tin...
. They were designated as "Class 26
KTM Class 26
The KTM Class 26 is a class of Co-Co diesel locomotives operating on Malaysian Railways metre gauge network since 2003. They are versions of the Blue Tiger made in Kassel, Germany with specification by KTMB...
" (Numbers: 26101 - 26120).
All the locomotives were named after places in Malaysia. The locomotives proved reliable in service compared to the Malaysian Class 29
KTM Class 29
The KTM Class 29 is a class of mainline diesel electric locomotives built in China by Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company for operations by Keretapi Tanah Melayu of Malaysia on its freight services.-History:...
locomotives bought at around the same time.
Germany
10 Locomotives were built to gauge with a view to leasing or orders.Various companies have used the locomotives. Initially Karsdorfer Eisenbahngesellschaft GmbH (KEG) was to use 8 units, but went bankrupt in 2005. In 2006, the distribution was:
- Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (5 units including the prototype)
- ITL Eisenbahngesellschaft (Import Transport Logistik) (2 units)
- Havelländische Eisenbahnen AG (4 units)
Models
A working scale model of this locomotive has been produced by the Slovenian company MehanoMehano
Mehano is a Slovenian toy company, founded in 1952 as Mehanotehnika, produces a large range of both traditional and electronic toys, as well as model railroad equipment. The company had borne its current name of Mehano since 1990 . Mehano applied for bankruptcy/closure in November of 2008,...
in N, TT and HO scale.
External links
- Blue Tiger images (Europe) railfaneurope.net
- Bombardier FLEXXX Bogies FLEXX Power 120 type used in Blue Tiger locomotives