DB Class V 90
Encyclopedia
The DB Class V90 locomotive is a German diesel-hydraulic locomotive for shunting and freight hauling.
(Class 211 & 212) locomotives, they stemmed from a need for a heavy shunting locomotive - it was originally planned to create a heavy shunting variant of the V 100 (ballast
ed and with reinforced frame) to be produced, but this did not come to pass due to the designs stability problems.
Maschinenbau Kiel
in co-operation with BZA München
designed a longer and heavier locomotive, of a completely new design. In 1964, a pilot production of 20 of these were manufactured with a 1100 hp engine as used in the DB Class V100.1 and a 70 km/h top speed.
In 1974 the first locomotive of the main production was produced - these locomotives had the 1350 hp engine used in the DB Class V100.2 and a top speed of 80 km/h, the length of the locomotive was also extended to 14.32m; by 1974 408 had been built by Mak, Deutz, Henschel and Jung.
The machines have both a Dead-man's vigilance device
(German:Sifa) and "Inductive train control system" (German:Indusi) (see Punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung
) safety devices
Originally the locomotives were purple (RAL 3004
), in the mid-1970s a new ivory / ocean blue (RAL 5020 - RAL 1014) colour scheme was introduced, in the second half of the 1980s an eastern red (RAL 3031) color scheme was used and since the late'90s, the locomotives are found in the current traffic (RAL 3020) red of Deutsche Bahn AG.
Since 2003, the locomotives have been upgraded with a new 1100-kW motor (type 8V 4000 R41 MTU
) equipped, as well as other components being upgraded (specifically the hydraulic drive). The modernised locos save fuel despite having a higher rated engine. The serial number of the remotorised locomotives is increased by 500. (e.g. 290 030 becomes 290 530)
and given the locomotive code 290 999; on loan from the Deutsche Bundesbahn
.
Since January 1996 the locomotive became the property of Deutsche Bahn AG and has been given the number 290 408. After this locomotives conversion to radio control it has been numbered 294 408
The other 3 locomotives were leased by the Deutsche Bundesbahn for assessment - they had a requirement for heavy shunting locomotives in the ports of Hamburg
, Emden
and Bremen
. These locomotives were classified as V 90 901 to V 90 903 (later as DB Class 291 901 onwards). In 1972 the locomotives were purchased, and in 1974 the main order of 100 further locomotives came - which were slightly lighter than the "P" locomotives. The majority were built at Kiel
with ten of the hundred being built by Jung
.
Instead of the V12 engine found in the Class 290 (class 212), the 291 class is equipped with a MaK 8-cylinder in-line engine that produces 1400 hp.
This type is only used for shunting (requiring high torque at low speed). The marine diesel engine is unsuitable for continuous use on the main line. The machines found use mainly in northern Germany.
Initially locomotives were equipped with radio equipment which allowed the Bergmeister (or Rückenmeister) (The yard hump controller) to control the locomotive. A driver still occupied the locomotive for safety reaons, and to control the locomotive. This method was used in large computer controlled marshalling yards such as Mannheim marshalling yard (German:Mannheim rbf), Seelze
, Maschen
, Munich
, Kornwestheim
Rbf and Nuremberg
.
Since Nuremberg Rbf has a downward gradient of the track (see Gravity Yard for an explanation), the locomotives are coupled with 6 axle flat wagon loaded with concrete weights that have been converted to brake van
s so that it is possible to stop trains of up to 2000 tons in weight.
(KM)
The remote device is carried by remote train driver (German:Lokrangierführer LRF ) in a so called "Belly Box" (see Remote control locomotive for details) and operated in a manner similar to that of a toy car or model aircraft remote control.
This type of control is used in shunting operations and was previously used with smaller shunting locomotives such as the DB Class V 60
and DB Class Köf III
(DB class 331 to 335)
The rebuilt locomotives of the 290 series form Class 294, rebuilt locomotives of the 291 series form Class 295
The locomotives have radio receiver in the cab, the LRF (remote train driver) must manually turn on the locomotive cab radio using a key switch on the locomotives control panel. A vehicle equipped with this type of remote control has a lamp above the cab window that lights to indicate that the locomotive is capable of receiving the radio signal. This means that the remote train driver (LRF) can now operate the locomotive at the trackside.
Various functions can be activated remotely - brakes, start, Vkonstant: i.e. running speed is automatically maintained, Sand, clutch etc.
, Munich and Northern Seelze
.
45 locomotives are expected to be rebuilt to have both types of remoted control.
locomotives from 2010 onwards.
History and design
The DB Class V90 locomotives are similar to DB Class V 100DB Class V 100
These DB Class V 100 diesel locomotives were produced in the late 1950s by the Deutsche Bundesbahn for non-electrified branch lines as a replacement for steam locomotives...
(Class 211 & 212) locomotives, they stemmed from a need for a heavy shunting locomotive - it was originally planned to create a heavy shunting variant of the V 100 (ballast
Ballast
-Objects:* Ballast tank, a device used on ships and submarines and other submersibles to control buoyancy and stability* Ballast weights, metallic plates used to bring auto racing vehicles up to the minimum mandated weight...
ed and with reinforced frame) to be produced, but this did not come to pass due to the designs stability problems.
Maschinenbau Kiel
Maschinenbau Kiel
Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH designed, manufactured and marketed marine diesel engines, diesel locomotives and tracked vehicles under the MaK brand name. The three primary operating divisions of Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH were sold to different companies in the 1990s.Rheinmetall acquired the military...
in co-operation with BZA München
BZA München
The Bundesbahn Central Offices or BZA in Minden and Munich was the department of the Deutsche Bundesbahn responsible for technological development and procurement of rail vehicles and infrastructure...
designed a longer and heavier locomotive, of a completely new design. In 1964, a pilot production of 20 of these were manufactured with a 1100 hp engine as used in the DB Class V100.1 and a 70 km/h top speed.
In 1974 the first locomotive of the main production was produced - these locomotives had the 1350 hp engine used in the DB Class V100.2 and a top speed of 80 km/h, the length of the locomotive was also extended to 14.32m; by 1974 408 had been built by Mak, Deutz, Henschel and Jung.
The machines have both a Dead-man's vigilance device
Dead-man's vigilance device
A dead-man's vigilance device is a railroad safety device that operates in the case of incapacitation of the engineer. It is a hybrid between a dead-man's switch and a vigilance control....
(German:Sifa) and "Inductive train control system" (German:Indusi) (see Punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung
Punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung
PZB or Indusi is an intermittent cab signalling system and train protection system used in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Israel and on one line in Canada....
) safety devices
RAL (color space system)
RAL is a color matching system used in Europe. In colloquial speech RAL refers to the RAL CLASSIC system, mainly used for varnish and powder coating.- RAL CLASSIC:...
), in the mid-1970s a new ivory / ocean blue (RAL 5020 - RAL 1014) colour scheme was introduced, in the second half of the 1980s an eastern red (RAL 3031) color scheme was used and since the late'90s, the locomotives are found in the current traffic (RAL 3020) red of Deutsche Bahn AG.
Since 2003, the locomotives have been upgraded with a new 1100-kW motor (type 8V 4000 R41 MTU
MTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
) equipped, as well as other components being upgraded (specifically the hydraulic drive). The modernised locos save fuel despite having a higher rated engine. The serial number of the remotorised locomotives is increased by 500. (e.g. 290 030 becomes 290 530)
290 999 of the Bundeswehr
One locomotive of the class was procured by the Army for use in an Air Force supply regiment in MechernichMechernich
Mechernich is a town in the district of Euskirchen in the south of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the "Naturpark Nordeifel" in the Eifel hills, approx. 15 km south-west of Euskirchen and 55 km from Cologne...
and given the locomotive code 290 999; on loan from the Deutsche Bundesbahn
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
.
Since January 1996 the locomotive became the property of Deutsche Bahn AG and has been given the number 290 408. After this locomotives conversion to radio control it has been numbered 294 408
MaK V 90 P / DB Class 291
Before the main production began, MaK had produced of its own accord 5 locomotives of very similar type (but with a MaK engine) for assessment for export orders; they were tested in Sweden. The locomotives were called V 90 P The first two went to Dortmunder Eisenbahn.The other 3 locomotives were leased by the Deutsche Bundesbahn for assessment - they had a requirement for heavy shunting locomotives in the ports of Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Emden
Emden
Emden is a city and seaport in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia; in 2006, the city had a total population of 51,692.-History:...
and Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
. These locomotives were classified as V 90 901 to V 90 903 (later as DB Class 291 901 onwards). In 1972 the locomotives were purchased, and in 1974 the main order of 100 further locomotives came - which were slightly lighter than the "P" locomotives. The majority were built at Kiel
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
with ten of the hundred being built by Jung
Jung
Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, an influential thinker and the founder of analytical psychology.Jung may also refer to:* Jung * JUNG, Java Universal Network/Graph Framework-See also:...
.
Instead of the V12 engine found in the Class 290 (class 212), the 291 class is equipped with a MaK 8-cylinder in-line engine that produces 1400 hp.
This type is only used for shunting (requiring high torque at low speed). The marine diesel engine is unsuitable for continuous use on the main line. The machines found use mainly in northern Germany.
Radio controlled versions
Two types of radio remote control have been utilised in order to make better use of these locomotives.Initially locomotives were equipped with radio equipment which allowed the Bergmeister (or Rückenmeister) (The yard hump controller) to control the locomotive. A driver still occupied the locomotive for safety reaons, and to control the locomotive. This method was used in large computer controlled marshalling yards such as Mannheim marshalling yard (German:Mannheim rbf), Seelze
Seelze
Seelze is a town in the district of Hanover, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the river Leine, approx. 10 km west of Hanover. Today Seelze mainly plays the role of a bedroom town for commuters working in Hanover.-Division of the town:...
, Maschen
Seevetal
Seevetal is a municipality in the district of Harburg, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated approx. 20 km south of Hamburg, and 15 km west of Winsen . Its seat is in the village Hittfeld...
, Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Kornwestheim
Kornwestheim
Kornwestheim is a town in the district of Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated about 10 km north of Stuttgart, and 5 km south of Ludwigsburg.-Entertainment:...
Rbf and Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
.
Since Nuremberg Rbf has a downward gradient of the track (see Gravity Yard for an explanation), the locomotives are coupled with 6 axle flat wagon loaded with concrete weights that have been converted to brake van
Brake van
Brake van and guard's van are terms used mainly in the UK, Australia and India for a railway vehicle equipped with a hand brake which can be applied by the guard...
s so that it is possible to stop trains of up to 2000 tons in weight.
Classes 294, 295
From 1995, large numbers of locomotives of the class were fitted a different type of radio remote produced by Krauss-MaffeiKrauss-Maffei
The Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co KG or simply Krauss-Maffei is an injection molding machine manufacturer and defence company based in Munich, Germany...
(KM)
The remote device is carried by remote train driver (German:Lokrangierführer LRF ) in a so called "Belly Box" (see Remote control locomotive for details) and operated in a manner similar to that of a toy car or model aircraft remote control.
This type of control is used in shunting operations and was previously used with smaller shunting locomotives such as the DB Class V 60
DB Class V 60
The DB Class V 60 is a German diesel locomotive operated by the Deutsche Bundesbahn and later, the Deutsche Bahn AG , which is used particularly for shunting duties, but also for hauling light goods trains. Seventeen locomotives were bought used by the Norwegian State Railways and designated NSB...
and DB Class Köf III
DB Class Köf III
The DB railways Köf III class are light two axle shunting locomotives of Deutsche Bahn AG.-History:...
(DB class 331 to 335)
The rebuilt locomotives of the 290 series form Class 294, rebuilt locomotives of the 291 series form Class 295
The locomotives have radio receiver in the cab, the LRF (remote train driver) must manually turn on the locomotive cab radio using a key switch on the locomotives control panel. A vehicle equipped with this type of remote control has a lamp above the cab window that lights to indicate that the locomotive is capable of receiving the radio signal. This means that the remote train driver (LRF) can now operate the locomotive at the trackside.
Various functions can be activated remotely - brakes, start, Vkonstant: i.e. running speed is automatically maintained, Sand, clutch etc.
Class 296
In 2007 locomotives of Class 290 which already had radio control for use in marshalling yards had the newer Krauss-Maffei remote fitted as well, allowing trackside control. These units were given the classification Class 296 and are found in the marshalling yards at Gremberg, MannheimMannheim
Mannheim is a city in southwestern Germany. With about 315,000 inhabitants, Mannheim is the second-largest city in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, following the capital city of Stuttgart....
, Munich and Northern Seelze
Seelze
Seelze is a town in the district of Hanover, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the river Leine, approx. 10 km west of Hanover. Today Seelze mainly plays the role of a bedroom town for commuters working in Hanover.-Division of the town:...
.
45 locomotives are expected to be rebuilt to have both types of remoted control.
Future
Deutsche Bahn AG has announced that the diesel locomotives of series 291 and 295 will be replaced with Voith GravitaVoith Gravita
The Voith Gravita locomotives are a new family of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG.. Available in a range of configurations from 2 to 4 axle they are designed for shunting and light and medium freight operations....
locomotives from 2010 onwards.
External links
- Deutsche Bundesbahn - V 90 Introduction to the V 90 class, full class owner history details and images for MaK built locomotives. loks-aus-kiel.de