MACOSA
Encyclopedia
Material y Construcciones S.A. or MACOSA was a Spanish heavy-engineering company, mainly producing products for the rail industry. From 1989 onwards the organisation was named Meinfesa and became part of the GEC-Alstom group of companies, until 2005 when it became part of the Vossloh
group as Vosloh Espana, later renamed Vossloh rail vehicles.
; this coincided with the beginning of the industrialisation of Spain.
Initially the organisation was not entirely rail orientated, producing buses, trolleys and other road based transportation systems. In the years following its formation the company expanded, with the Valencia plant gaining a 50,000m2 extension becoming one of the major producers of rolling stock in Spain. By 1952 the new company had produced 48 Type 2400 locomotives as well as two for Portugal.
The only narrow gauge locomotives constructed by MACOSA was the type 130 for the railroad of Ponferrada
to Villablino
in 1951 and 1956 (PV numbers 13 to 16), which were based on a type made in 1914 by Krauss-Maffeu for the Basque Railroads. (See Engerth locomotive
for more information)
In the 1950s the larger Barcelona plant concentrated on casting and forming steel as well as repair of cars, buses, coaches etc. The Valencia plant produced steam boilers, as well as constructing and repairing steam and electric locomotives and other rolling stock. The valencia plant also produced other heavy engineering products such as cranes, metal parts for dams. There was also a smaller factory at Alcázar de San Juan
producing and maintaining wagons.
MACOSA made the last steam locomotive for RENFE, a 2-8-2 'Mikado'
with locomotive number 141-2328 produced in 1958.
Another expansion coincided with the countries' 'stabilisation plan' of 1959, and thus the company formed part of the rapid economic growth of Spain in the 1960s, triggered by the industrialised economy reaching critical mass. (See Spanish economic miracle
)
During the 1960s locomotives were produced under license from General Motors
, at first practically the entire locomotive was of GM design, later the company produced much of the locomotives to its own design, but still using a GM (later Electro-Motive Diesel) engine and transmission system. This arrangement continued well into the 2000s, with successor companies still manufacturing diesel electric locomotives in Valencia with GM engines and tranmission systems.
In 1970, MACOSA was the second company of the rail vehicle sector in Spain, after Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
.
During its long history over a thousand locomotives were produced: first steam, then electric and diesel-electric as well as shunting locomotives. In addition countless other rail vehicles were produced: trams, metros, diesel and electric units and freight wagons as well as thousands of bogies, some for Spain, others for destinations around the world.
(Valencia
).
After the move the huge original factory was to be demolised, and despite attempts to save it due to its historical significance to the country of Spain (as well as due to architecture of the 1920's built central core - with huge nave
like sheds in design), like many other derelict industrial sites around the world, progress could not be stopped, and in a final twist of fate, its destruction made space for the AVE high speed train
to run through.
Shortly thereafter, a big order from Renfe was received for the rebuilding of part the RENFE Class 319
to the sub-type 319.2, 319.3 and 319.4
, under GEC-Alstom's ownership GM-EMD engined diesel locomotives were also produced at the plant for export to the UK and Israel.
Additionally 60 General Motors
type GM-8B Class 310
for RENFE
between 1989 and 1991, and the GA-DE 900 AS diesel electric shunting locomotive (based on the RENFE Class 311
) was produced during the 1990s for the state railways of Switzerland (SBB Am 841), the railways of Mexico, Israel state railways (IR)
, and for the Egyptian National Railways
.
, and the organisation was renamed Vossloh Espana, as part of the Vossloh group.
In the first five years of Vossloh ownership the GA 1000 AS shunter was built for SNCF
, as well as rebuilding of the RENFE Class 333
and construction of the RENFE Class 334
and, later, the production of EMD powered Vossloh Euro locomotives
. The 1m gauge 15kV DC electric passenger metro trains Serie 4300 were also produced in this period for Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana
.
Vossloh
Vossloh AG is a German transport technology manufacturer based in the Westphalian town of Werdohl. The group has 4,700 employees , and generated sales of €1.2 billion, of which approximately 60% came from the rail infrastructure division, and the remainder from the motive power and components...
group as Vosloh Espana, later renamed Vossloh rail vehicles.
MACOSA
The Company Material y Construcciones S.A. (or MACOSA) was founded in 1947 by the merger of the Valencian company Construcciones Devis (founded by Talleres Devis in 1879) and the Sociedad Material para Ferrocarriles y Construcciones S.A. of BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
; this coincided with the beginning of the industrialisation of Spain.
Initially the organisation was not entirely rail orientated, producing buses, trolleys and other road based transportation systems. In the years following its formation the company expanded, with the Valencia plant gaining a 50,000m2 extension becoming one of the major producers of rolling stock in Spain. By 1952 the new company had produced 48 Type 2400 locomotives as well as two for Portugal.
The only narrow gauge locomotives constructed by MACOSA was the type 130 for the railroad of Ponferrada
Ponferrada
Ponferrada is a city in the province of León, Castile and León, Spain. It lies on the Sil River, a tributary of the river Miño, in the El Bierzo valley, completely surrounded by mountains. It is the last major town along the French route of the Way of St. James before it reaches its destination...
to Villablino
Villablino
Villablino is a municipality located in the Laciana comarca, province of León, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census , the municipality has a population of 12,212 inhabitants.-See also:*Laciana* Kingdom of León...
in 1951 and 1956 (PV numbers 13 to 16), which were based on a type made in 1914 by Krauss-Maffeu for the Basque Railroads. (See Engerth locomotive
Engerth locomotive
The Engerth locomotive was a type of early articulated steam locomotive designed by Wilhelm Freiherr von Engerth for use on the Semmering Railway in Austria.- Designer :...
for more information)
In the 1950s the larger Barcelona plant concentrated on casting and forming steel as well as repair of cars, buses, coaches etc. The Valencia plant produced steam boilers, as well as constructing and repairing steam and electric locomotives and other rolling stock. The valencia plant also produced other heavy engineering products such as cranes, metal parts for dams. There was also a smaller factory at Alcázar de San Juan
Alcázar de San Juan
Alcázar de San Juan is a town and municipality in the province of Ciudad Real, part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, Spain...
producing and maintaining wagons.
MACOSA made the last steam locomotive for RENFE, a 2-8-2 'Mikado'
2-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
with locomotive number 141-2328 produced in 1958.
Another expansion coincided with the countries' 'stabilisation plan' of 1959, and thus the company formed part of the rapid economic growth of Spain in the 1960s, triggered by the industrialised economy reaching critical mass. (See Spanish economic miracle
Spanish miracle
The Spanish miracle was the name given to a broadly based economic boom in Spain from 1959 to 1974. The international oil and stagflation crises of the 1970s ended the boom.- The pre-boom situation :...
)
During the 1960s locomotives were produced under license from General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, at first practically the entire locomotive was of GM design, later the company produced much of the locomotives to its own design, but still using a GM (later Electro-Motive Diesel) engine and transmission system. This arrangement continued well into the 2000s, with successor companies still manufacturing diesel electric locomotives in Valencia with GM engines and tranmission systems.
In 1970, MACOSA was the second company of the rail vehicle sector in Spain, after Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a rail equipment manufacturer based in Beasain in the Basque Country, Spain. Equipment manufactured by CAF includes light rail vehicles, rapid transit trains, railroad cars and locomotives, as well as variable gauge axles that can be fitted on any...
.
During its long history over a thousand locomotives were produced: first steam, then electric and diesel-electric as well as shunting locomotives. In addition countless other rail vehicles were produced: trams, metros, diesel and electric units and freight wagons as well as thousands of bogies, some for Spain, others for destinations around the world.
Meinfesa
In 1989 the company became Mediterranea de Industrias del Ferrocarril, S.A. (or Meinfesa) and became part of the GEC-Alstom multinational in 1991, after this the company moved locomotive production to a new plant at AlbuixechAlbuixech
Albuixech is a municipality in the comarca of Horta Nord in the Valencian Community, Spain.-External links:*...
(Valencia
Valencia (province)
Valencia or València is a province of Spain, in the central part of the Valencian Community.It is bordered by the provinces of Alicante, Albacete, Cuenca, Teruel, Castellón, and the Mediterranean Sea...
).
After the move the huge original factory was to be demolised, and despite attempts to save it due to its historical significance to the country of Spain (as well as due to architecture of the 1920's built central core - with huge nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
like sheds in design), like many other derelict industrial sites around the world, progress could not be stopped, and in a final twist of fate, its destruction made space for the AVE high speed train
AVE
Alta Velocidad Española is a service of high-speed rail in Spain operated by Renfe, the Spanish national railway company, at speeds of up to . The name is literally translated from Spanish as "Spanish High Speed", but also a play on the word , meaning "bird".AVE trains run on a network of...
to run through.
Shortly thereafter, a big order from Renfe was received for the rebuilding of part the RENFE Class 319
RENFE Class 319 (early versions)
The RENFE Class 319 was a class of mainline medium-high powered diesel electric locomotives built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division and by Macosa for the state railways of Spain.-Background, history and design:In the mid 1960s General Motors won a contract to supply...
to the sub-type 319.2, 319.3 and 319.4
RENFE Class 319 (later versions)
The RENFE classes 319.2, 319.3 and 319.4 are six axle Co'Co' medium power mainline diesel electric locomotives manufactured by Macosa using General Motors Electromotive division components under license.-Background and design:...
, under GEC-Alstom's ownership GM-EMD engined diesel locomotives were also produced at the plant for export to the UK and Israel.
Additionally 60 General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
type GM-8B Class 310
RENFE Class 310
The RENFE Class 310 is a class of 60 four axle Bo'Bo' diesel electric shunting and freight locomotives built by Meinfesa with General Motors Electromotive Division components ....
for RENFE
RENFE
Renfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm "Iberian gauge" and 1435-mm "European gauge" networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF .- History :The name RENFE is derived from that of the former Spanish National...
between 1989 and 1991, and the GA-DE 900 AS diesel electric shunting locomotive (based on the RENFE Class 311
RENFE Class 311
The RENFE Class 311 is a class of four axle Bo'Bo' diesel electric shunting and light freight locomotives.-Background and design:The prototype locomotive 311.001 was designed by M.T.M...
) was produced during the 1990s for the state railways of Switzerland (SBB Am 841), the railways of Mexico, Israel state railways (IR)
Israel Railways
Israel Railways is the principal passenger railway operating company in Israel, and is responsible for all inter-city and suburban rail way passenger and freight traffic in the country. All its lines are standard gauge. The network is centered in Israel's densely populated coastal plain, from...
, and for the Egyptian National Railways
Egyptian National Railways
Egyptian National Railways is the national railway of Egypt and managed by the parastatal Egyptian Railway Authority .-1833–77:...
.
Vossloh Espana
In March 2005 ownership changed again, this time to Vossloh AGVossloh
Vossloh AG is a German transport technology manufacturer based in the Westphalian town of Werdohl. The group has 4,700 employees , and generated sales of €1.2 billion, of which approximately 60% came from the rail infrastructure division, and the remainder from the motive power and components...
, and the organisation was renamed Vossloh Espana, as part of the Vossloh group.
In the first five years of Vossloh ownership the GA 1000 AS shunter was built for SNCF
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
, as well as rebuilding of the RENFE Class 333
RENFE Class 333
The RENFE Series 333 are high power six-axle diesel-electric locomotives built in the 1970s; at the time of their introduction they were the most powerful non-electric locomotives in Spain....
and construction of the RENFE Class 334
RENFE Class 334
The RENFE 334 is a high speed, 4 axle passenger locomotive built for RENFE's Talgo service on non electrified lines.-Background:With the well known RENFE Class 333 locomotives having served for over 30 years the Spanish rail operator faced decisions as to their future...
and, later, the production of EMD powered Vossloh Euro locomotives
Vossloh Euro locomotives
Vossloh Euro is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by Vossloh for the European market. It is available in two basic variants, the four-axle Euro 3000 and the six-axle Euro 4000.-History and background:...
. The 1m gauge 15kV DC electric passenger metro trains Serie 4300 were also produced in this period for Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana or FGV is a public Valencian railway company which operates several metre gauge lines, in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, in Spain....
.
Notable products
- GM SD40-2EMD SD40-2The EMD SD40-2 is a C-C locomotive produced by EMD from 1972 to 1989.The SD40-2 was first introduced in January 1972 as the mid-range offering in EMD's six-axle "Dash-2" series, competing against the GE U30C and the MLW M630...
Built from 1979 to 1980 under license from General Motors for RFFSARFFSAThe Rede Ferroviária Federal, Sociedade Anônima was the state-owned national railway company of Brazil. It was created in 1957, and dissolved between 1999–2007.-Constituent Railways:...
in Brazil - EMD G22U / EMD G22CU Built from 1971 to 1973 under license from General Motors for RFFSARFFSAThe Rede Ferroviária Federal, Sociedade Anônima was the state-owned national railway company of Brazil. It was created in 1957, and dissolved between 1999–2007.-Constituent Railways:...
in Brazil - RENFE Class 333RENFE Class 333The RENFE Series 333 are high power six-axle diesel-electric locomotives built in the 1970s; at the time of their introduction they were the most powerful non-electric locomotives in Spain....
A Striking and powerful locomotive, built in using General Motors components to a NohabNOHABNOHAB was a manufacturing company in the city of Trollhättan, Sweden.The company was founded by Antenor Nydqvist, Johan Magnus Lidström and Carl Olof Holm in 1847 as Trollhättans Mekaniska Verkstad as a manufacturer of turbines for hydraulic power plants...
design originally found in the DSB class MZDSB class MZDSB class MZ was a series of 61 diesel-electric locomotives operated by Danske Statsbaner. They were built by NOHAB between 1967 and 1978 on licence from General Motors EMD with subcontractors Thrige-Titan and Frichs ....
Further information
- Devis y Macosa, las constructoras valencianas de material ferroviario Devis Macosa and the railway construction in Valencia. (Detailed essay covering the history of the Valencia plant up to Alstom's ownership) vialibre-ffe.com
- MACOSA (MATERIALES Y CONSTRUCCIONES S.A.) HISTORIA DEL FABRICANTE MACOSA - production history - steam engines from 1950-1958, museoferrocarril.ponferrada.org
- Vossloh Euro series Very brief historical background, with more details of locomotive design post incorporation into Alstom and then Vossloh
External links
- Vossloh Rail Vehicles Company website (Vossloh España)