Henschel-BBC DE2500

DB Class 202 (Henschel-Brown, Boveri & Cie DE2500)

Company type	Prototype diesel-electric locomotive
Industry	Railway locomotives
Founded	1971
Headquarters	Germany
Products	Diesel-electric locomotives

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The DB Class 202, often identified by its manufacturer code Henschel-Brown, Boveri & Cie DE2500, represents a series of diesel-electric locomotives developed primarily for deployment on both mainline and branch routes, serving passenger and freight operations alike. As these locomotives remained in the experimental phase without acquisition by the Deutsche Bundesbahn, their production was limited to prototypes.

Among these units, one was adapted for operation under a 1.5 Volt DC electric overhead system and tested by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen, where it was designated as the NS Class 1600P.

History

File:DE2500-UMAN.jpg

Streamlined DB 202 003

This class marks a significant breakthrough in German locomotive engineering, being the first mainline diesel-electric engines to utilize three-phase asynchronous electric traction technology.

The DE2500 was designed with a lightweight, fully modular framework, enabling rapid and straightforward replacement of entire locomotive sections, including the prime mover, generator, or alternator units. It was adaptable to run on both Co'Co' bogies (units 002 and 004) and Bo'Bo' bogies (unit 003). All electric components—from the generator through to the traction motors—incorporated cutting-edge features such as brushless, collectorless, and nearly contact-free operation, which contributed to extended maintenance intervals and enhanced reliability.

From 1971 until the mid-1980s, these locomotives underwent comprehensive trials by the Deutsche Bundesbahn across various routes in Western Germany. They were based at Bw Mannheim and carried the following DB identification numbers:

• 202 002-2 (white livery)
• 202 003-0 (initially orange, later repainted in UmAn scheme)
• 202 004-8 (blue)

Conversion to electric locomotive

In the mid-1970s, unit 202-002 was adapted for use by the Dutch Railways (NS) as a fully electric locomotive operating on a 1.5 kV DC overhead catenary. It received a yellow paint scheme characteristic of Dutch trains, was renumbered as 1600P, and bore NS logos. A pantograph was installed to collect current from the overhead wire, while the original diesel prime mover and generator were removed and substituted with ballast weight. Although NS was satisfied with the testing outcomes, it ultimately opted for its mass-produced Class 1600, derived from the French BB 7200, primarily due to cost-efficiency and delivery schedule factors.

Test-run in Denmark

The Danish State Railways (DSB) conducted trials with locomotive 202 004. The subsequently procured DSB Class ME, although heavier (115 t) and more powerful (3,300 hp), drew inspiration from these prototype models. A total of 37 units of that class were manufactured.

Models

File:Henschel-BBC DE2500 202-003.jpg

DB Class 202 003 displayed in Berlin museum.

The German manufacturer Heris produced an H0 scale model replicating the BR 202 locomotive.

Literature

• Matthias Maier: Diesellokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen. alba Verlag, Düsseldorf, 1997. (in German)
• Markus Hehl: Eisenbahn-Kurier Special: Deutsche Diesellokomotiven, issue 72, EK-Verlag, Freiburg. (in German)
• Karl Gerhard Baur: Die Geschichte der Drehstromlokomotiven. EK-Verlag, Freiburg, 2005.
• BBC: Asynchronous motor drive for Diesel locomotives, Order No. D VK 40810 E
• Horst J. Obermayer: Diesellokomotiven - Mit Kleinlokomotiven, Stuttgart, 1972.