DB Class 103
Encyclopedia
The Baureihe 103 is a class of electric locomotive
s in Germany
, originally operated by Deutsche Bundesbahn
. For a long period, they were perceived as flagships of the DB rolling stock.
, the Deutsche Bundesbahn
focused on purchasing a large number of standardised electric locomotives
. The goal was to promote the electrification program and to replace older types of electric locomotives. A maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) was deemed sufficient. With growing economic prosperity, competition with other means of transportation, especially automobiles, was increasing.
During the 1950s, plans were made to enhance pre-war class E 19
locomotives to have a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour (111.8 mph), but the technical layout was out-dated and the braking system was deemed inefficient. The plans were revised to demand a top speed of 200 kilometres per hour (124.3 mph), combined with a Co'Co' wheel arrangement to limit the axle load to 18 tons. Elements of the new class, such as high speed bogies, were tested with existing class E 10
units.
in June 1965 as class E 03 (class 103.0 after the introduction of the new numbering system). During exhibition runs to Augsburg
they reached 200 km/h on a regular basis. The experiences made on these occasions indicated that the installed power of 5950 kW (continuous — 6420 kW one hour) was not sufficient. In addition to stronger motors the transformer was also reinforced for serial production.
system with fast first class connections between major cities in autumn of 1971, so the specification sheet demanded class 103.1 to be capable of pulling a 400 tons train at 200 km/h. With a total number of 145 units class 103.1 became the backbone of German Trans Europ Express
and InterCity lines. Starting with 103 216, the locomotive body was extended by 700 mm in order to provide more space in the driver's cab.
In addition to the usual Sifa
and PZB, class 103 was also equipped with the LZB as an additional train safety system for speed in excess of 160 km/h. The so-called Automatische Fahr- und Bremssteuerung (AFB) (automatic speed and brake control) automatically kept the train's speed constant at any chosen speed.
As starting in 1979 the InterCity system was altered to comprise second class also, it become widely popular. By that time the top speed of 200 km/h was permitted on lines with according features, and the technical problems had been overcome. Now class 103 had its major challenge to pull the heavy 600 tons trains at these high speeds.
Until 1987 (introduction of class 120
) class 103 had a near monopoly for high speed trains in Germany. By the early 1990s the intensive utilisation resulted in an increasing number of defects. This tendency was intensified by the fact that DB significantly cut back the maintenance.
With the first InterCityExpress
commencing service in 1989, class 103 no longer was DB's flagship. With regards to the wearout, DB decided to replace class 103 by the new class 101
, which entered service in 1996. In the following years class 103 was displaced into lower duties, but the locomotive design was not made for repeated stops, so the locomotives were consequently worn out even more. After a brief comeback in 1998, as all InterCityExpress units were temporarily taken out of service after the Eschede train disaster
, the remaining class 103 units were retired from regular service by 2003.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
s in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, originally operated by Deutsche Bundesbahn
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
. For a long period, they were perceived as flagships of the DB rolling stock.
Development
In the decades following World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Deutsche Bundesbahn
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
focused on purchasing a large number of standardised electric locomotives
Einheits-Elektrolokomotive
Einheits-Elektrolokomotive is a German railroad term for the Class E10, Class E40, Class E41 and Class E50 locomotives that were commissioned after World War II by the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany...
. The goal was to promote the electrification program and to replace older types of electric locomotives. A maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) was deemed sufficient. With growing economic prosperity, competition with other means of transportation, especially automobiles, was increasing.
During the 1950s, plans were made to enhance pre-war class E 19
DRG Class E 19
The electric locomotives of the class E 19 were the fastest electric locomotives of the Deutsche Reichsbahn. They reached a maximum speed of 180 km/h, but were designed for speeds up to 225 km/h...
locomotives to have a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour (111.8 mph), but the technical layout was out-dated and the braking system was deemed inefficient. The plans were revised to demand a top speed of 200 kilometres per hour (124.3 mph), combined with a Co'Co' wheel arrangement to limit the axle load to 18 tons. Elements of the new class, such as high speed bogies, were tested with existing class E 10
DB Class E 10
The class E 10 is an electric locomotive of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, introduced in 1952. It belongs to the Einheits-Elektrolokomotiven program and was built for express passenger service. In 1968 the series was redesignated as class 110 and class 112...
units.
Prototypes
Four prototypes were finished in 1965. They were introduced to the public at the Internationale Verkehrsausstellung (international transport fair) in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
in June 1965 as class E 03 (class 103.0 after the introduction of the new numbering system). During exhibition runs to Augsburg
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
they reached 200 km/h on a regular basis. The experiences made on these occasions indicated that the installed power of 5950 kW (continuous — 6420 kW one hour) was not sufficient. In addition to stronger motors the transformer was also reinforced for serial production.
Serial Type
The first serial type class 103.1 was put into service 27. May 1970. DB planned to introduce a new IntercityIntercity (Deutsche Bahn)
Intercity is the second-highest train classification in Germany, after the ICE. Intercity services are loco-hauled express services, usually over long-distances. There are Intercity routes throughout Germany, and routes generally operate with a two-hour frequency, with multiple routes giving a more...
system with fast first class connections between major cities in autumn of 1971, so the specification sheet demanded class 103.1 to be capable of pulling a 400 tons train at 200 km/h. With a total number of 145 units class 103.1 became the backbone of German Trans Europ Express
Trans Europ Express
The Trans Europ Express, or Trans-Europe Express, is a former international railway service in Europe. At its maximum extent, in 1974, the network comprised 45 trains, connecting 130 different cities.-Origin:...
and InterCity lines. Starting with 103 216, the locomotive body was extended by 700 mm in order to provide more space in the driver's cab.
In addition to the usual Sifa
Sifa
Sifa or the deadman's control system is a safety device in a train intended to bring the train automatically to a stop if the driver becomes incapacitated.-Description:...
and PZB, class 103 was also equipped with the LZB as an additional train safety system for speed in excess of 160 km/h. The so-called Automatische Fahr- und Bremssteuerung (AFB) (automatic speed and brake control) automatically kept the train's speed constant at any chosen speed.
Service
With inauguration of the new InterCity system only few lines' construction was enhanced for a top speed of 200 km/h, and the necessary government approvals for speeds higher than 160 km/h was also missing. Therefore class 103 in the first years did not reach its top speed in regular service. An accident furthermore delayed the introduction of regular top speed services, as on 1971-07-21 the AFB on 103 106 was suspected to be responsible for accelerating the train out of control, resulting in a derailment with 23 dead and 121 injured.As starting in 1979 the InterCity system was altered to comprise second class also, it become widely popular. By that time the top speed of 200 km/h was permitted on lines with according features, and the technical problems had been overcome. Now class 103 had its major challenge to pull the heavy 600 tons trains at these high speeds.
Until 1987 (introduction of class 120
DB Class 120
The DB Baureihe 120 is a class of electric locomotives operated by DB Fernverkehr in Germany.-Background and design:The locomotives' prototypes, delivered in 1979 , were one of the first electric locomotives with three-phase motors. They were based on experiences made in the 1970s with...
) class 103 had a near monopoly for high speed trains in Germany. By the early 1990s the intensive utilisation resulted in an increasing number of defects. This tendency was intensified by the fact that DB significantly cut back the maintenance.
With the first InterCityExpress
InterCityExpress
The Intercity-Express or ICE is a system of high-speed trains predominantly running in Germany and neighbouring countries. It is the highest service category offered by DB Fernverkehr and is the flagship of Deutsche Bahn...
commencing service in 1989, class 103 no longer was DB's flagship. With regards to the wearout, DB decided to replace class 103 by the new class 101
DBAG Class 101
DBAG Class 101 is a class of three-phase electric locomotives built by Adtranz and operated by DB Fernverkehr in Germany. 145 locomotives were built between 1996 and 1999 to replace the 30-year old and aging Class 103 as the flagship of DB AG...
, which entered service in 1996. In the following years class 103 was displaced into lower duties, but the locomotive design was not made for repeated stops, so the locomotives were consequently worn out even more. After a brief comeback in 1998, as all InterCityExpress units were temporarily taken out of service after the Eschede train disaster
Eschede train disaster
The Eschede train disaster was the world's deadliest high-speed train accident. It occurred on 3 June 1998, near the village of Eschede in the Celle district of Lower Saxony, Germany. The toll of 101 people dead and 88 injured surpassed the 1971 Dahlerau train disaster as the deadliest accident in...
, the remaining class 103 units were retired from regular service by 2003.
Trivia
- A total of 17 class 103 have been preserved, with at least five units still operational. Two units are still part of DB rolling stock and are frequently used for test runs.
- With a one-hour rating of 10400 kW class 103 are among the strongest conventional electric locomotives ever built.
- On 14. June 1985 number 103 118 reached a speed of 283 km/h (176 mph).
- The highest operational performance for one unit was reached in June 1972 with 50,250 km.