VR Class Sr1

VR class Sr1

VR Class Sr1 number 3043 at Kouvola station in 2011
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant
Build date 1973–1996
Total produced 112
Specifications
AAR wheel arr. B-B
UIC class Bo′Bo′
Gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft)
Wheel diameter 1,250 mm (49.21 in)
Length 18.96 m (62 ft 2 1⁄2 in)
Loco weight 84 tonnes (83 long tons; 93 short tons)
Electric system(s) 25 kV 50Hz AC Catenary
Current collection Pantograph
Performance figures
Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph)
Power output 3,100 kW (4,160 hp)
Tractive effort 280 kN (62,900 lbf)
Career
Operators VR
Number in class 110 in use
First run 1973
Disposition still in service

The Sr1 is a class of electric locomotives built for VR (Finnish railways). These 25kV locomotives were built in the Soviet Union at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Factory between 1973 and 1985. Two additional locomotives of this class were built at the VR Hyvinkää Machine Workshop in 1993 and 1995, number 3111 from spare parts and number 3112 from the original prototype locomotive (number 3000) that was never used by the VR.[1]

The nicknames for these locomotives are "Siperian susi" (Wolf of Siberia; in Finnish slang "susi" can also mean a poorly manufactured object, compare English "dog" or "lemon"),[1] "Kaalihäkki" (Cabbage Cage)[1] and "Sähköryssä" (Electric Russkie).

History

In 1970, Valtionrautatiet ordered 27 electric locomotives from Energomachexport, which were delivered between September 1973 and the end of the year 1975.[2] 82 additional locomotives were ordered and delivered between 1973 and 1985.[2] The first prototype locomotive, number 3000, was bought from the constructor in 1994 by VR, which rebuilt it into number 3112.[2]

The trains have been used in passenger and cargo transport on Finland's electrified rail network.[3]

Livery

The locomotives originally carried a dark red livery, with light yellow stripes around and below the cab windows. The stripes were later replaced with yellow warning panels (resembling stylised wings) below the cab windows. From the early 1990s onwards this livery was replaced by an off-white livery with red stripes. Nowadays the locomotives are refitted with a white-green livery to go with the current company colours.

Technical information

Electrical equipment for the locomotives was supplied by the Finnish company Oy Strömberg Ab (later part of ABB).[2]

Locomotives number 3098–3110 were rebuilt with new bogies allowing a higher maximum speed (160 km/h)[4] in the 1990s (3111 and 3112 were originally built for this speed), but since 2003 they have been restored back to the original top speed due to the speed being raised at the expense of tractive effort (possibly the delivery of the faster Sr2 class also had an effect). The last Sr1 to be equipped with bogies allowing 160 km/h was number 3107.

Incidents and accidents

Collision of trains with Sr1 locomotives

Three Sr1 class locomotives have been damaged beyond repair and withdrawn from service: number 3048 in Jokela in 1996, number 3089 in Jyväskylä in 1998 and number 3101 in Siuro in 2011. Five other locomotives have also been involved in accidents, but have been rebuilt or repaired afterwards.[5]

Withdrawal and replacement

In December 2013 VR announced an order for 80 new electric locomotives to replace the Sr1 Class. The new locomotives, of the Siemens Vectron design, will be built in Germany by Siemens. The new locomotives are scheduled to be delivered between 2017 and 2026, resulting in the withdrawal of the Sr1 class.[6]

See also

Sr1 locomotive hauling an Intercity train departs Joensuu railway station

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hietaranta, Juhana; Laurila, Santeri. "Sr1" (in Finnish). Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Eonsuu, Honkanen & Pölhö 1995, p. 88.
  3. ↑ Eonsuu, Honkanen & Pölhö 1995, pp. 88–89.
  4. ↑ Eonsuu, Honkanen & Pölhö 1995, p. 89.
  5. ↑ "Sr1 kalustolista" (in Finnish). Sivuraide.net. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  6. ↑ http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/broad-gauge-vectron-arrives-in-finland.html Railway Gazette International, retrieved on 29 January 2016

Literature

Media related to VR Class Sr1 at Wikimedia Commons

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