PKP class EU06
Encyclopedia
EU06 is a class of electric locomotive
s in service with the Polish
state railway PKP
.
engines from one cab. One locomotive can haul passenger trains of up to 650 tonne
s at 125 kilometres per hour (77.7 mph) and freight trains of up to 2,000 tonnes at a speed of 70 kilometres per hour (43.5 mph). Two locomotives coupled in multiple can haul a freight train of up to 3,600 tonnes. These figures apply to driving on level gradients.
All members and panels are made of Cor-Ten steel and the underframe
is a shallow, cellular structure with closely spaced light-gauge longitudinal and transverse members plated above and below to make a set of closed cells.
The body sides were built up on rectangular vertical tubes forming a set of pillars and are double-skinned for additional strength and rigidity. This is to maintain the shape of the locomotive because the roof of the entire machine space between the two cabs is removable to allow machinery to be lifted out and replaced. The superstructure is built to withstand buffing loads up to 295 LT. English Electric made extensive use of aluminium alloys and GRP
for panelling, doors and ducts.
Current collection is by single-pan air operated pantograph
s, which feed the main power circuits by a high-speed circuit breaker
. The main resistances
were made by Metropolitan-Vickers' parent company, Associated Electrical Industries
. The four traction motors are permanently connected in series pairs, with series-parallel combinations between pairs. arallel and 12 field weakening positions give a total of 55 running notches. The four traction motors have Alsthom quill drive
s.
The minimum curve radius that the locomotives can negotiate is 6 chains (120.7 m): any curve tighter than this could cause severe flange wear on the wheels. In order to reduce flange forces, the bogie
s are linked by a tubular-framed spring-loaded inter-coupling and flange lubricators are fitted to each wheel.
of Metropolitan-Vickers
and English Electric
, had supplied six 1200 bhp electric locomotives and 80 three-car electric multiple unit
s for the electrification of Warsaw suburban services. British Insulated Cables supplied the overhead line equipment. In 1945 British Insulated merged with a competitor to become British Insulated Callender's Cables
, and in 1949 Metropolitan-Vickers, English Electric and BICC contracts to replace locomotives, EMUs and equipment damaged in the Second World War
.
In the early 1950s PKP
urgently wanted mixed-traffic
electric locomotive
s for the rapid electrification of Poland's railways. ET21
freight locomotives were already in production under a Soviet license but there was a lack of passenger locomotives. The plan was to buy several items of foreign-built locomotives and a license and start domestic production afterwards.
In 1956 talks with companies from Austria
and Switzerland
started, but were broken off soon after. In June 1959 Poland awarded a new contract to for overhead electrification and 20 locomotives to the Contractors' Committee, which now included BICC as well as Metropolitan-Vickers and English Electric. The contract included a licence agreement for Poland to manufacture 2,000 tons of copper contact wire, enough to electrify 1450 miles (2,333.5 km) of railway.
Not all electric devices were included in the licence agreement. EU06 locomotives are roughly similar to the British Rail Class 83
, which were built by English Electric
in the same period.
The first EU06 locomotive was delivered to Poland early in 1962 and after series of trials it was assigned to Kraków
Prokocim depot. Seven locomotives had been delivered by the end of April 1962 and 19 by the end of the year. Delivery of the last locomotive was delayed until 1965 by a minor failure of the rotor
. The locomotives were operated on all lines serviced by Kraków Prokocim depot.
Class EU06 was an innovative design that became a milestone in Polish motive power construction. Along with the EU07
, a similar locomotive class built in Poland
under licence, almost 500 locomotives were built. EU07 locomotives were also used to build the duplex
freight locomotives of PKP class ET41
. Several construction innovations from class EU06 were introduced into later classes such as EP08
, ET22
and EP09
. 14 units of EU06 are still in service, but withdrawal of this series is being considered.
In recognition of the locomotives being built in the UK, it was hoped that one example of the class would be repainted in British Rail
Electric Blue livery, complete with BR Lion and Wheel insignia. Instead, an EU07 /EP07 — EP07-1051 — was painted in the livery in February 2008.
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 service with the Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
state railway 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...
.
Technical details
EU06 has driving cabs at both ends. The locomotives are equipped for multiple working which allows one driver to drive two coupledCoupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
engines from one cab. One locomotive can haul passenger trains of up to 650 tonne
Tonne
The tonne, known as the metric ton in the US , often put pleonastically as "metric tonne" to avoid confusion with ton, is a metric system unit of mass equal to 1000 kilograms. The tonne is not an International System of Units unit, but is accepted for use with the SI...
s at 125 kilometres per hour (77.7 mph) and freight trains of up to 2,000 tonnes at a speed of 70 kilometres per hour (43.5 mph). Two locomotives coupled in multiple can haul a freight train of up to 3,600 tonnes. These figures apply to driving on level gradients.
All members and panels are made of Cor-Ten steel and the underframe
Underframe
An underframe is a framework of wood or metal carrying the main body structure of a vehicle....
is a shallow, cellular structure with closely spaced light-gauge longitudinal and transverse members plated above and below to make a set of closed cells.
The body sides were built up on rectangular vertical tubes forming a set of pillars and are double-skinned for additional strength and rigidity. This is to maintain the shape of the locomotive because the roof of the entire machine space between the two cabs is removable to allow machinery to be lifted out and replaced. The superstructure is built to withstand buffing loads up to 295 LT. English Electric made extensive use of aluminium alloys and GRP
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
for panelling, doors and ducts.
Current collection is by single-pan air operated pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
s, which feed the main power circuits by a high-speed circuit breaker
Circuit breaker
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and, by interrupting continuity, to immediately discontinue electrical flow...
. The main resistances
Resistor
A linear resistor is a linear, passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element.The current through a resistor is in direct proportion to the voltage across the resistor's terminals. Thus, the ratio of the voltage applied across a resistor's...
were made by Metropolitan-Vickers' parent company, Associated Electrical Industries
Associated Electrical Industries
Associated Electrical Industries was a British holding company formed in 1928 through the merger of the British Thomson-Houston Company and Metropolitan-Vickers electrical engineering companies...
. The four traction motors are permanently connected in series pairs, with series-parallel combinations between pairs. arallel and 12 field weakening positions give a total of 55 running notches. The four traction motors have Alsthom quill drive
Quill drive
A quill drive is a mechanism that allows a drive shaft to shift its position relative to its driving shaft. It consists of a hollow driving shaft with a driven shaft inside it...
s.
The minimum curve radius that the locomotives can negotiate is 6 chains (120.7 m): any curve tighter than this could cause severe flange wear on the wheels. In order to reduce flange forces, the bogie
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
s are linked by a tubular-framed spring-loaded inter-coupling and flange lubricators are fitted to each wheel.
History
In 1936–38 the Contractors' Committee, a joint ventureJoint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
of Metropolitan-Vickers
Metropolitan-Vickers
Metropolitan-Vickers, Metrovick, or Metrovicks, was a British heavy electrical engineering company of the early-to-mid 20th century formerly known as British Westinghouse. Highly diversified, they were particularly well known for their industrial electrical equipment such as generators, steam...
and English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
, had supplied six 1200 bhp electric locomotives and 80 three-car electric multiple unit
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
s for the electrification of Warsaw suburban services. British Insulated Cables supplied the overhead line equipment. In 1945 British Insulated merged with a competitor to become British Insulated Callender's Cables
British Insulated Callender's Cables
British Insulated Callender's Cables was a 20th century British cable manufacturer and construction company, now renamed after former subsidiary Balfour Beatty.-History:...
, and in 1949 Metropolitan-Vickers, English Electric and BICC contracts to replace locomotives, EMUs and equipment damaged in the Second World War
World 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...
.
In the early 1950s 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...
urgently wanted mixed-traffic
Mixed-traffic locomotive
A mixed-traffic locomotive is one designed to be capable of hauling both passenger trains and freight trains. The term is mostly used in the United Kingdom and those nations following British practice...
electric 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...
s for the rapid electrification of Poland's railways. ET21
PKP class ET21
PKP ET21 is a name for a Polish electric freight locomotive produced between years 1957 - 1971 in Pafawag. It was the first post-war Polish electric locomotive, designed in 1955...
freight locomotives were already in production under a Soviet license but there was a lack of passenger locomotives. The plan was to buy several items of foreign-built locomotives and a license and start domestic production afterwards.
In 1956 talks with companies from Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
started, but were broken off soon after. In June 1959 Poland awarded a new contract to for overhead electrification and 20 locomotives to the Contractors' Committee, which now included BICC as well as Metropolitan-Vickers and English Electric. The contract included a licence agreement for Poland to manufacture 2,000 tons of copper contact wire, enough to electrify 1450 miles (2,333.5 km) of railway.
Not all electric devices were included in the licence agreement. EU06 locomotives are roughly similar to the British Rail Class 83
British Rail Class 83
The British Rail Class 83 electric locomotives were built by English Electric at Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification.- History :...
, which were built by English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
in the same period.
The first EU06 locomotive was delivered to Poland early in 1962 and after series of trials it was assigned to Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
Prokocim depot. Seven locomotives had been delivered by the end of April 1962 and 19 by the end of the year. Delivery of the last locomotive was delayed until 1965 by a minor failure of the rotor
Turbine
A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work.The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft or drum with blades attached. Moving fluid acts on the blades, or the blades react to the flow, so that they move and...
. The locomotives were operated on all lines serviced by Kraków Prokocim depot.
Class EU06 was an innovative design that became a milestone in Polish motive power construction. Along with the EU07
PKP class EU07
EU07 is the name for a Polish electric locomotive in service of the Polish railway operator PKP. This locomotive was designed as universal locomotive, and as such is used in both for freight and passenger traffic.-Technical data:...
, a similar locomotive class built in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
under licence, almost 500 locomotives were built. EU07 locomotives were also used to build the duplex
Duplex locomotive
A duplex locomotive is a steam locomotive that divides the driving force on its wheels by using two pairs of cylinders rigidly mounted to a single locomotive frame; it is not an articulated locomotive...
freight locomotives of PKP class 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:...
. Several construction innovations from class EU06 were introduced into later classes such as EP08
PKP class EP08
PKP class EP08 is the name for a Polish electric locomotive used by the Polish railway operator Polskie Koleje Państwowe , produced between 1972 and 1976 in Pafawag, Wrocław...
, ET22
PKP class ET22
PKP class ET22 is a Polish six-axle electric freight locomotive built by Pafawag from 1969 to 1989.. Due to the sharp drop in heavy industry production after 1989, this class is now also frequently used for passenger service....
and EP09
PKP class EP09
PKP class EP09 is a Polish electric locomotive used by the Polish railways, Polskie Koleje Państwowe and produced by Pafawag of Wrocław between 1986 and 1997.-Construction:...
. 14 units of EU06 are still in service, but withdrawal of this series is being considered.
Liveries
English Electric delivered the EU06 class in a two-tone green, with a broad dark green wastband on a pale green body.In recognition of the locomotives being built in the UK, it was hoped that one example of the class would be repainted in British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Electric Blue livery, complete with BR Lion and Wheel insignia. Instead, an EU07 /EP07 — EP07-1051 — was painted in the livery in February 2008.
Nicknames
- Szóstka ("The six") – from the class number
- Anglik ("EnglishmanEnglishmanEnglishman may refer to:*English people*Grey Partridge*Jason Englishman, Canadian rock music singer and guitarist*Jenny-Bea Englishman, real name of the Canadien singer Esthero*Erald Briscoe, reggae musician who records under the name Englishman...
") – from the country of origin
See also
- Polish locomotives designation