Renfe Class 310
| Company type | Diesel-electric locomotive |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway |
| Predecessor | Renfe Class 307 and 308 |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Products | Locomotives |
| Parent | Renfe, Adif (ownership split by 2010) |
The Renfe Class 310 consists of 60 diesel-electric locomotives with a four-axle Bo'Bo' configuration, primarily utilized for freight and shunting duties. Manufactured by Meinfesa, these locomotives incorporate critical components from GM-EMD, such as the prime mover and electrical transmission system, making the Class 310 a flexible element within Renfe's roster.
During the mid-2000s, four units underwent conversion to the subclass 310.1 to operate in push-pull container services, employing a Class 310 locomotive at each end of the consist. Subsequently, these units were transferred to Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) and re-designated as the 353 Series.
History and design
The procurement of the Renfe 310 occurred in the late 1980s aimed at replacing the Renfe Class 307 and 308 models as part of a broader initiative to modernize the diesel shunting fleet, which also included the introduction of the Renfe Class 309 and 311. The design of the Class 310 is derived from the General Motors SW1001 switcher, featuring an adapted cab layout specific to Renfe requirements.
These locomotives are painted in Renfe’s characteristic silver and red color scheme designated for shunting units.
By 2010, ownership of these locomotives was split between Adif and Renfe Mercancías.
Class 310.1
A total of four locomotives were transformed into "Medium Distance Teco" (TMD) sets (Spanish: Teco de Media Distancia), intended for containerized freight transport over medium-range distances, designed to provide competition against road haulage. Each consist includes eight wagons flanked by a Class 310 locomotive on both ends, with a total container capacity of 24 TEU. The locomotives are interconnected through an optical fibre link.
The cabs of the 310.1 subclass were redesigned, taking inspiration from the rebuilt Renfe 333.3 subclass.
Eventually, two of these sets were sold to FGC, entering service in 2009 to transport automotive components to a SEAT manufacturing plant. Under FGC management, they were reclassified as class FGC 353.
See also
- EMD SW1001 General Motors switcher locomotive that served as the foundation for the Class 310 design
Notes
Literature
- Enguix i Peiro, Joan Carles : Las nuevas locomotoras 310, in Carril n° 30, 06/1990
- Galan Eruste, Manuel : Mercancias regionales : TMD. In Maquetren n° 125, 08/2003
- Gutiérrez Ruiz, Antonio : Serie 310 : Metamorfosis, in Maquetren n° 130, 01/2004