ADtranz DE-AC33C
| Company type | Diesel-electric locomotive model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | ADtranz and General Electric |
| Headquarters | Kassel , Germany |
| Products | Diesel-electric locomotives |
The Blue Tiger (model designation DE-AC33C) represents a robust diesel-electric locomotive engineered through a collaboration between ADtranz and General Electric.
History and design
The initial prototype made its debut in 1996.
While the original plan anticipated a lightweight axle load with an output near , the actual German units exhibited an axle load of , which is standard for locomotives of this diesel category.
The diesel engine and electrical transmission components, incorporating IGBT-based inverters powering AC traction motors, were provided by General Electric. The remaining assembly was carried out by AdTranz at their Kassel facility.
Export versions destined for Pakistan featured a 16-cylinder engine configuration.
Following Bombardier’s acquisition of AdTranz in 2001, the Blue Tiger was presented at InnoTrans 2002 aiming to secure orders within Europe. German-built production models had a total weight of with an axle load of , delivering an engine power rating of .
By 2009, the series was phased out; it was no longer offered by Bombardier as a current product, and GE listed it among discontinued models. Within Europe, Bombardier shifted focus toward less powerful diesel variants belonging to the TRAXX series, while GE continued to promote its Evolution locomotives for international markets.
Pakistan
Pakistan Railways placed the earliest orders during the late 1990s. These locomotives were manufactured to operate on a gauge and were equipped with 16-cylinder engines, replacing the smaller 12-cylinder units used in earlier prototypes and other variants. Ten units arrived fully assembled, while the remainder were produced under license within Pakistan. The fleet bears numbers ranging from 6001 to 6030.
Malaysia
Between 2003 and 2004, twenty units were constructed for KTM on a gauge track, classified as "Class 26" (numbered 26101–26120). Each locomotive received a name inspired by Malaysian capes. These models demonstrated greater reliability compared to the contemporaneous Class 29 locomotives. Notably, one Class 26 unit, Tg. Kupang (26108), was operated by Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, the reigning Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Germany
A total of ten locomotives were produced for standard gauge () service intended for leasing or sale. Initially, Karsdorfer Eisenbahngesellschaft GmbH (KEG) planned to deploy eight units but ceased operations due to bankruptcy in 2005. By 2006, ownership distribution included:[1]
- Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (five units including the prototype)
- ITL Eisenbahngesellschaft (two units)
- Havelländische Eisenbahnen AG (four units)
Models
The Slovenian manufacturer Mehano offers functional scale replicas of this locomotive available in N, TT, and HO model railway scales.
External links
- Blue Tiger photographs (Europe) railfaneurope.net
- Bombardier FLEXXX Bogies Details on FLEXX Power 120 bogie type utilized in Blue Tiger locomotives
- ↑ Blue Tiger Lieferliste privat-bahn.de