DBAG Class 145 and 146
| Industry | Railway rolling stock manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| Fate | Acquired by Bombardier Transportation in 2001 |
| Products | Electric locomotives, including DBAG Class 145 and Class 146 |
The DBAG Class 145 and DBAG Class 146 are Bo′Bo′ configured electric locomotives developed by Adtranz during the late 1990s, primarily intended for use by Deutsche Bahn. The Class 145 is allocated to freight duties operated by DB Cargo, whereas the Class 146 is tailored for passenger transport services under DB Regio. In addition to units for Deutsche Bahn, several Class 145 locomotives were manufactured for the former Swiss railway company Mittelthurgaubahn as well as for various private rail operators and leasing companies.
These models serve as forerunners to the Bombardier TRAXX family, marking a significant step in the progression of electric locomotive engineering and technology.
Background and design
The DBAG Class 145, produced by AdTranz, traces its lineage back to the prototype locomotive 128 001 (12X), which was constructed by AEG in partnership with Henschel. Comparable to the rival Krauss-Maffei 127 001 (EuroSprinter) model, it features asynchronous electric motors that build upon the technological advancements introduced with the DB Class 120.
Freight versions
Following the prototype, DB AG placed an order for eighty locomotives optimized for medium-weight freight operations. These were delivered between 1997 and 2000 for use by DB Cargo, later transitioning to successor entities such as Railion and DB Schenker.
In 2000, six additional locomotives were constructed for the Swiss private railway Mittelthurgaubahn, where they were classified as Re 486. After the company’s insolvency in 2002, these units were acquired by SBB Cargo and reclassified as Re 481. Due to lack of Swiss certification, they operated under SBB’s German subsidiary until their sale in 2005 to leasing firm MRCE, which subsequently leased them to various German private rail operators.
Between 1999 and 2001, a further seventeen locomotives were manufactured for private sector clients and leasing firms. This included five units supplied to CBrail, six delivered to Locomotion Capital (currently known as Alpha Trains), and two allocated to Rail4chem through leasing company Deutsche Leasing.
Passenger versions
A passenger-oriented variant was developed from 2000 to 2001 for DB Regio, featuring a hollow shaft final drive instead of an axle-hung drive and capable of reaching a maximum speed of . This model was designated as DBAG Class 146. An additional order comprising 32 units was placed in August 2012.
Notes
Sources
- BR146.de "Pictures, information and technology of modern three-phase AC locomotives" br146.de
- technische Daten BR 145/146 Technical specifications for Classes 145/146
External links
- Baureihe 145 and Baureihe 146: Photographs and concise information on Classes 145 and 146 lokomotive-online.de