PKP class ET42
Encyclopedia
The Soviet-made
ET42 is PKP
's (Polish National Railways) most powerful standard gauge
electric freight locomotive
. Due to its provenance, it is often referred to by its nickname of Rusek (Polish derogatory word for a native of Russia) or Chapayev (Russian: Чапаев).
and VL11 (Russian: ВЛ10 & ВЛ11, respectively) and is characterised by its straightforward design as well as ease of use and reliability. The ET42 was designed to be a dual section locomotive from the outset, as opposed to the remaining dual section locomotives operated by PKP, such as the ET41
or ET40
. For this reason a "single version" of the ET42 doesn't exist; nor is it possible to modify one of the sections to run as an independent unit. Since there aren't any empty spaces left by surplus cabs, the locomotive is much shorter than other dual section locomotives built from single units. The ET42 is also equipped with facilities for heating carriages and can therefore be used for hauling passenger trains.
depot. They were all built at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Factory
in the former Soviet town of Novocherkassk
(Russian: Новочеркасск). The ET42's main role is hauling very heavy coal trains (up to 4,000 tonnes) along the routes leading from Silesia
to the ports of Gdańsk
and Gdynia
. Four locomotives are no longer in PKP's inventory: ET42-003, ET42-033, ET42-043, ET42-045. ET42-003 was written off in a rail accident.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
ET42 is PKP
Polskie Koleje Panstwowe
is the dominant railway operator in Poland.The company was founded when the former state-owned operator was divided into several units based on the requirements laid down by the European Union...
's (Polish National Railways) most powerful standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
electric freight locomotive
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
. Due to its provenance, it is often referred to by its nickname of Rusek (Polish derogatory word for a native of Russia) or Chapayev (Russian: Чапаев).
Description
The locomotive's construction is based on that of the Soviet VL10VL10
The VL10 is an electric two-unit mainline DC freight locomotive used in the Soviet Union and is still operated today by the state owned Russian rail company RZhD and Ukrainian Railways...
and VL11 (Russian: ВЛ10 & ВЛ11, respectively) and is characterised by its straightforward design as well as ease of use and reliability. The ET42 was designed to be a dual section locomotive from the outset, as opposed to the remaining dual section locomotives operated by PKP, such as the ET41
PKP class ET41
ET41 is the name for a Polish electric locomotive used by the Polish railway operator . Three such locomotives were briefly rented to the Croatian Railways between 1995 and 1996 and were given the designation HŽ series 1081 there.-History:...
or ET40
PKP class ET40
ET40 is the name for Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo two-unit freight electric locomotive in service of Polish national rail operator, PKP. The locomotive was produced by Škoda Works in the Czechoslovakia.-History:...
. For this reason a "single version" of the ET42 doesn't exist; nor is it possible to modify one of the sections to run as an independent unit. Since there aren't any empty spaces left by surplus cabs, the locomotive is much shorter than other dual section locomotives built from single units. The ET42 is also equipped with facilities for heating carriages and can therefore be used for hauling passenger trains.
Operational history
Fifty ET42s were purchased between 1978 and 1982 and were all based at the Zduńska Wola KarszniceZdunska Wola Karsznice
Zduńska Wola Karsznice is one of the biggest rail junctions in Poland, located in central part of the country, within borders of the town of Zduńska Wola . It is a station along the Polish Coal Trunk-Line, before 1930 it had been a separate village, but construction of the Trunk-Line resulted in...
depot. They were all built at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Factory
in the former Soviet town of Novocherkassk
Novocherkassk
Novocherkassk is a city in Rostov Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Tuzlov River and on the Aksay River. Population: 169,039 ; 170,822 ; 178,000 ; 123,000 ; 81,000 ; 52,000 ....
(Russian: Новочеркасск). The ET42's main role is hauling very heavy coal trains (up to 4,000 tonnes) along the routes leading from Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
to the ports of Gdańsk
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
and Gdynia
Gdynia
Gdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
. Four locomotives are no longer in PKP's inventory: ET42-003, ET42-033, ET42-043, ET42-045. ET42-003 was written off in a rail accident.