G 1206: 60km/h (37mph)/100km/h (62mph) with Voith L5r4zseU2 transmission[4] *** 100km/h (62mph) Caterpillar engine and L5r4zU2 transmission also 90km/h (56mph) with MTU engine and Voith L54rzU2 transmission[4] */** G 1206-2: 50km/h (31mph)[1]
Power output
G 1206: 1,500kW (2,000hp)[1] or 1,570kW (2,110hp) with MTU 16V 396 TC14[4] */*** G 1206-2: 920kW (1,230hp)[1]
In 2007 a shunting specific variant, the G1206-2 was created and began production.
Four Caterpillar-engined locomotives hired from Angel Trains Cargo by Euro Cargo Rail were assigned to TOPSClass 21[6] due to their presence at times on the UK side of the channel tunnel. ECR assigned the codes FB1544 to FB1547 to these locomotives.[7][8][9][10]
History and design
In the 1990s the de-monopolisation and liberalisation of the railways of member states of the European Union meant that private companies could access formerly state-owned track. With this came numerous private operators running locomotives on the main line for the first time. MaK had previously been quite successful in providing freight locomotives for industrial use to various companies. The G 1201 and G 1205 models (and intermediate variants) had been examples of the type of locomotives larger private companies had used. These locomotives were suitable for pulling fairly heavy freight consists as well as shunting. However track access charges (as well as the necessity not to interrupt passenger trains) meant that on the main lines freight trains must run much faster than they did in an industrial environment.
As a consequence Vossloh introduced the G 1206; it was based on the G 1205 but was substantially more powerful allowing it to pull freight trains at a higher speed (or simply pull heavier trains). Thus the 12-cylinder engine of the G 1205 was replaced with a 16-cylinder engine, because of this along with the increase size of the auxiliary equipment required the new locomotive was almost 2 metres longer than its 1,180kW (1,580hp) predecessor.[4][11]
The cab is situated approximately above one of the bogies, with doors opening onto walkways on both sides along the rest of the locomotive; the external design is functional, with flat steels and right angles predominating.
Variants and orders
The initial versions had a MTU engine (the 16 V 396 TC14); two variants were built either with or without a two-speed Voith transmission - versions with the two-speed transmissions had a lower gear limiting the maximum speed to ~60km/h (37mph) but giving greater torque.
The initial order from RAG had single speed transmission - 11 were built; the top speed was limited to 80km/h (50mph).
A further four machines were built with a single gear transmission otherwise identical design except for the use of a 12-cylinder engine from MTU of almost equal power to the previous 16-cylinder version; these were for Dortmunder Eisenbahn GmbH (literally Dortmund railway). They were numbered 401 to 404, number 403 can be seen here in action in its green and yellow livery:[12]
Six units were built with the speed transmission for the Banverket (Swedish Rail Administration) for delivery to Borlänge[4][13] In addition to modifications for cold weather operation the running gear has steering rods[citation needed][clarification needed] fitted enabling a higher top speed of 100km/h (62mph).
The design then underwent further improvement; the improved bogies used in the machines for Banverket were made standard with improvements to the axlebox[clarification needed].[4] A 12-cylinder engine of 1,500kW (2,000hp) was used but from Caterpillar instead of the MTU engine used the machines built for Dortmunder Eisenbahn GmbH. With these changes the basic design of the main tranche of G 1206's was complete.
The introduction of the Caterpillar engine led to a slight change in external appearance - previously the fore and aft sections had been practically identical in height, but to accommodate the Caterpillar engine the 'fore' (longer) section was raised slightly.[4]
This model was used by SNCF as the BB 461000, as well as numerous private operators. Many of the locomotives produced are owned by Alpha Trains, with a further significant number owned by Mitsui Rail Capital, both these companies lease the locomotives to private operators, sometimes for short periods of time. They have been used all over Europe: In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.
In April 2006, another variant was produced, this time for Seco Rail, the engine specified was the MTU 12V 4000 R41 which was the type meeting the European emissions standards at that time. The two-speed hydraulic transmission from Voith (L54r zseU2) was used again - giving a top speed of 60 or 100km/h (37 or 62mph) depending on gear. The locomotives were equipped for use in France.
Built 1998–1999, modifications to running gear allow 100km/h (62mph) top speed Low gear for increased torque, cold weather modifications
Various
CAT 3512 B DITA-SC
Voith L5r4zU2
23
SNCF BB 461000: Modifications to braking system with two brake control units instead of one. Improved electric current flow across the wheels for track occupancy safety systems (included wheel tread cleaning system). Approved for use in France and Germany.[4]
89
Various private operators[14][15][16] including Railion, Hoyer Railserv GmbH, Nordbayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH, Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn GmbH (WLE), Spitzke Logistik GmbH (SLG), Hoyer, Rail4chem, Européenne de Travaux Ferroviaires SA (ETF), Veolia cargo, Bayerische Cargo Bahn GmbH, Strukton Railinfra Materieel B.V, ACTS Nederland B.V, ERS Railways B.V., Connex Cargo Logistics and others[17]
The G1206-2 is a shunting variant of the G1206 with a smaller (920kW or 1,230hp) engine and transmission. Because of the smaller engine only one cooling fan is needed - this is the only external difference between this type and its 'big sister'.[2] Operators include Eisenbahn und Häfen GmbH (~7 units), Dillinger Hüttenwerke (1 unit), Ruhr Oel GmbH (also used by BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH) (1 unit).[17]
Models of the G1206
Models of the G1206 have been produced in HO scale by Mehano and PIKO, and in N scale by Piko. Trix/Minitrix has also produced G1206 models in HO and N scales using operator's liveries' applied on similar models of MaK/Vossloh machines such as their reproductions of NS Class 6400, or MaK G 1205.
1 2 Because of the fluid nature of the leasing business, with some locomotives on hire for periods of only a few months it is impossible to present here a full listing of the operators.
Other sources
VSFT G1206 BB Technical and operator details, as well as images of Private company liveried locomotives.
Locomotive types in italics are in production. G-type locomotives have diesel-hydraulic transmissions, DE-type locomotives have diesel-electric transmissions.
Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH designed, manufactured and marketed marine diesel engines, diesel locomotives and tracked vehicles under the MaK brand name. The three primary operating divisions of Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH were sold to different companies in the 1990s.
NSB Di 6, later designated ME 26 and DE 2700, is a class of twelve diesel-electric locomotives built by Siemens for the Norwegian State Railways (NSB). The prime mover provides a power output of 2,650 kilowatts (3,550 hp), a starting traction effort of 400 kilonewtons (90,000 lbf) and a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph). They have a Co′Co′ wheel arrangement. The bidirectional locomotives were designed for use with both passenger and freight trains.
The NSB Di 8 is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK), while it was part of Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik, for the Norwegian State Railways (NSB). The locomotives are equipped with a Caterpillar 3516 DI-TA prime mover, which provides a power output of 1,570 kilowatts (2,110 hp) and a starting tractive effort of 270 kilonewtons (61,000 lbf).
The NMBS/SNCB Class 77 is a class of 4 axle B'B' road switcher diesel hydraulic locomotive designed for shunting and freight work manufactured at the beginning of the 2000s by Vossloh Schienentechnik/Vossloh Locomotives at the Maschinenbau Kiel plant in Kiel, Germany for the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS).
The Voith Maxima locomotives are a family of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG., a subsidiary of Voith.
The Voith Gravita locomotives are a family of road switcher diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG. Available in a range of configurations from 4 to 6 axles, they are designed for shunting and light and medium freight operations.
The DB Class V90 locomotive is a German road switcher diesel-hydraulic locomotive for shunting and freight hauling.
The G 2000 BB is a four axle heavy shunting and mainline locomotive, designed by German company Vossloh and built at the former MaK plant in Kiel. At the time of its introduction in 2000 it was the most powerful hydraulic transmission locomotive in Vossloh's range.
The DB Class V 51 and DB Class V 52 are classes of almost identical narrow gauge 4 axle diesel hydraulic locomotives built in 1964 for the Deutsche Bundesbahn, being built for 750 mm and 1,000 mm gauge lines respectively.
The MaK G 1204 BB is a four axle B'B' diesel-hydraulic locomotive with and off centre cab design built by MaK in Kiel, Germany. Eighteen of these light freight and shunting locomotives were built which were used mostly on German industrial railways, two units have worked for the Swiss Federal Railways and received the class designation Am 842.
The Vossloh G1700 BB is a four axle B′B′ medium power diesel-hydraulic locomotive manufactured by Vossloh Locomotives GmbH. in Kiel.
The ÖBB 2070 is a class of 90 shunting and light multipurpose four axle B'B' Diesel-hydraulic locomotive built for the Austrian Federal Railways by Vossloh at the MaK locomotive plant in Kiel, Germany.
The MaK G 1205 is a class of four axle B'B' diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by the Maschinenbau Kiel factory.
The MaK G 1202 BB is a four axle B'B' off-centre cab diesel-hydraulic locomotive built by Maschinenbau Kiel in Germany.
The MaK G 1201 BB is a four axle B'B' diesel-hydraulic off-centre cab locomotive built by the Maschinenbau Kiel in German. The locomotive is designed for shunting and freight work, such as found on industrial railways.
The Vossloh G1000 BB is a class of off-centre cab diesel-hydraulic B'B' 4 axle locomotives built by Vossloh in Kiel since 2002. When operating under Swiss ownership the locomotives have received the class Am 842, several units owned by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois are classified as CFL class 1100.
The Vossloh G6 is a C diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive, and the first locomotive of Vossloh's fifth generation programme. The G6 is the successor of the MaK/Vossloh G765, a third generation MaK locomotive still offered in the 2000s.
The Vossloh G400B is a B diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive. The G400B is technically identical to the G322, except for some details like different final drives. It was renamed as G400B to fit in the new numbering scheme used in the 4th generation programme.
The VSFT G322 is a B diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive, initially built for and in service with the Danish Railways DSB as Class MK.
The second use of the TOPS classification Class 21 for locomotives used on the British railway network came through the use of a number of related diesel-hydraulic and diesel-electric locomotives procured following the opening of the Channel Tunnel. The total of 16 locomotives were obtained by two separate operators, with some used for freight, and others to propel service trains and as "Thunderbird" locomotives.
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