SJ Rb
Encyclopedia
Rb is a electric locomotive
operated by Statens Järnvägar
of Sweden. Six locomotives were built by ASEA, in three series designated Rb1, Rb2 or Rb3.
was aging. In 1955 the Ra-series
had proved successful with bogie
wheels. At the same time there was interest to make a locomotive that could be exported abroad. The result was an agreement between ASEA and SJ where six test engines were delivered. The testing of the Rb was successful and based on this exports were made to the Yugoslav Railways (JŽ class 441) and Căile Ferate Române
of Romania (CFR class 40). The result of the testing was the Rc locomotive that was produced in 360 copies for SJ, in addition to export to Amtrak
, Norges Statsbaner and Österreichische Bundesbahnen. The Rb-series was in use on passenger- and freight trains until the mid 1970s.
(DC) motors with higher efficiency and thus more economical. The utilization of thyristor
s could convert from the alternating current
(AC) used in the railway electrification system
of Sweden, and one of the Rb1 locos was rebuilt to thyristor in 1965, getting the designation Rb1T.
Rb2 and Rb3 were equipped with conventional AC motors.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
operated by Statens Järnvägar
Statens Järnvägar
The Swedish State Railways or SJ, originally the Royal Railway Board , is a former government agency responsible for operating the state railways in Sweden....
of Sweden. Six locomotives were built by ASEA, in three series designated Rb1, Rb2 or Rb3.
History
During the 1950s SJ saw the need for a new universal locomotive, since the D-seriesSJ D
D is a series of locomotives used by Statens Järnvägar of Sweden. 333 units were built by ASEA between 1925-43. It was used for both passenger and freight trains until it was taken out of service in 1988.-History:...
was aging. In 1955 the Ra-series
SJ Ra
The SJ Class Ra is an electric locomotive operated by Statens Järnvägar of Sweden. Ten units were built by ASEA, two in 1955 and eight in 1961. Ra was used on express trains until the 1990s.-History:...
had proved successful with 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...
wheels. At the same time there was interest to make a locomotive that could be exported abroad. The result was an agreement between ASEA and SJ where six test engines were delivered. The testing of the Rb was successful and based on this exports were made to the Yugoslav Railways (JŽ class 441) and Căile Ferate Române
Caile Ferate Române
Căile Ferate Române is the official designation of the state railway carrier of Romania. Romania has a railway network of of which are electrified and the total track length is . The network is significantly interconnected with other European railway networks, providing pan-European passenger...
of Romania (CFR class 40). The result of the testing was the Rc locomotive that was produced in 360 copies for SJ, in addition to export to Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, Norges Statsbaner and Österreichische Bundesbahnen. The Rb-series was in use on passenger- and freight trains until the mid 1970s.
Variations
Rb1 was equipped with direct currentDirect current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
(DC) motors with higher efficiency and thus more economical. The utilization of thyristor
Thyristor
A thyristor is a solid-state semiconductor device with four layers of alternating N and P-type material. They act as bistable switches, conducting when their gate receives a current trigger, and continue to conduct while they are forward biased .Some sources define silicon controlled rectifiers and...
s could convert from the alternating current
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
(AC) used in the railway electrification system
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
of Sweden, and one of the Rb1 locos was rebuilt to thyristor in 1965, getting the designation Rb1T.
Rb2 and Rb3 were equipped with conventional AC motors.