Vectron (locomotive)
Encyclopedia
The Vectron is a design of reconfigurable, modular Bo'Bo' multipurpose locomotive by Siemens Mobility, intended to be the successor to the successful EuroSprinter
family of locomotives. Initially only electric versions were announced; at the 2010 Innotrans
trade fair, a diesel variant was also revealed.
The first locomotives of the type were displayed at the Test- and Validationcenter Wegberg-Wildenrath
in June 2010.
locomotive platform; initially made as single voltage machines for European state railways (Austria, Germany), later as multivoltage locomotives for cross border working; this design resulted in numerous orders from both state and private railways, as well as rail leasing companies, primarily in the European Union
area.
Siemens identified the potential for further growth in the market, particularly in trans-Alpine freight (Northern Europe to Italy), railfreight from northern European ports into Europe and from Baltic ports into Russia, as well as the potential for growth in newer members of the European Union (Poland, Hungary etc).
The design incorporates elements from previous Siemens locomotives - the train control package and traction control system are from the ES64F4 and ES64U4 Eurosprinter models respectively, whilst traction system is derived from the ER20 EuroRunner
. The cab and replaceable front end (buffer-bar) derives from the latest Eurosprinter model i.e. locomotives such as the Belgian SNCB Class 18
or Portuguese CP Class 4700
.
The locomotives are also available in a medium power (5.2MW) version for regional passenger and medium freight work as well as a high power (6.4MW) version. DC only versions are only available in medium power. The standard design speed is 160 km/h, which can be upgraded to 200 km/h with the addition of semi-active yaw dampers incorporating a bogie-bogie steering mechanism.
The main body of the vehicle is self supporting, consisting of an underframe of three longitudinal sill plate
s (centre and sides), side walls, transverse support members for the bogie pivots and for the transformer, and end sill plates. The roof is in three sections and is removable, the two drivers cabins also have a replaceable front end. The buffer beam section is also a separate part, which allows replacement if it is damaged in a collision.
The main compartment of the locomotive contains the electrical equipment except the main transformer and batteries which are located below the frame. All electrical components are placed in predefined locations on either side of a central aisle connecting the two cabins with each mounting position being reserved for a single type of equipment.
The bogies transmit tractive force through a central pivot. The traction motors are flexibly supported by the bogie frame, and are connected to the wheelset mounted reduction gears by a multiple disc coupling. A full hollow shaft (folded cardan) drive system is also optional. Mechanical breaking is via wheel mounted disc brakes. Electrical regenerative braking is also used.
The locomotives can work in double, multiple and push-pull formation with other Vectron, Eurosprinter and Eurorunner locomotives as well as some other locomotives fitted with the same multiple working equipment.
16V 4000 R84 engine of 2.4 MW rated power.
ordered six 6.4 MW 15 kV 16·7 Hz Vectrons for cross-border freight and passenger services in Germany and Austria.
to Amtrak
for service in the Northeast Corridor
, and won an order for 70 locomotives based on the Vectron design, to be designated the Amtrak Cities Sprinter
.
EuroSprinter
The EuroSprinter family of electric locomotives is a modular concept of locomotives for the European market built by Siemens. The internal Siemens product name is ES 64, with ES for EuroSprinter and the number 64 indicating the 6,400 kW power at rail.Additional information is given in the name...
family of locomotives. Initially only electric versions were announced; at the 2010 Innotrans
InnoTrans
InnoTrans is the world's largest trade fair focused on the rail transport industry. It is held every two years at the Messe Berlin exhibition centre, which has outdoor standard gauge railway sidings which can be used to exhibit railway vehicles...
trade fair, a diesel variant was also revealed.
The first locomotives of the type were displayed at the Test- and Validationcenter Wegberg-Wildenrath
Test- and Validationcenter Wegberg-Wildenrath
The Test and validation centre, Wegberg-Wildenrath is a railway test centre owned by Siemens Mobility near Wildenrath in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-History:...
in June 2010.
Background
Around the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century Siemens successfully produced freight and passenger/universal versions of its EurosprinterEuroSprinter
The EuroSprinter family of electric locomotives is a modular concept of locomotives for the European market built by Siemens. The internal Siemens product name is ES 64, with ES for EuroSprinter and the number 64 indicating the 6,400 kW power at rail.Additional information is given in the name...
locomotive platform; initially made as single voltage machines for European state railways (Austria, Germany), later as multivoltage locomotives for cross border working; this design resulted in numerous orders from both state and private railways, as well as rail leasing companies, primarily in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
area.
Siemens identified the potential for further growth in the market, particularly in trans-Alpine freight (Northern Europe to Italy), railfreight from northern European ports into Europe and from Baltic ports into Russia, as well as the potential for growth in newer members of the European Union (Poland, Hungary etc).
The design incorporates elements from previous Siemens locomotives - the train control package and traction control system are from the ES64F4 and ES64U4 Eurosprinter models respectively, whilst traction system is derived from the ER20 EuroRunner
Eurorunner
The Eurorunner family of locomotives are a series of medium to high power diesel electric locomotives built by Siemens for the European market. Introduced from 2002 onwards, they share design characteristics with the successful Eurosprinter range of electric locomotives, also built by Siemens.The...
. The cab and replaceable front end (buffer-bar) derives from the latest Eurosprinter model i.e. locomotives such as the Belgian SNCB Class 18
SNCB Class 18 (Siemens)
The new SNCB/NMBS Class 18 is a series of Siemens EuroSprinter ES60U3 locomotives. 60 were ordered in December 2006 for delivery between January 2009 and June 2010. The order is worth € 211 million...
or Portuguese CP Class 4700
CP Class 4700
Class 4700 are a series of medium power electric locomotives built by Siemens for Comboios de Portugal, the state owned railway company of Portugal. Siemens were the natural choice for the original order for 15 machines, placed in 2006, as they built the older Class 5600 locomotives in the 1990s...
.
Design
The Vectron is designed to be easily reconfigurable to a variety of country or work specific configurations; reconfiguration to different safety systems is simplified with pre-designed mounting points for track equipment, modular safety equipment cabinets in the locomotive body and a driver's desk designed for a wide variety of information equipment.The locomotives are also available in a medium power (5.2MW) version for regional passenger and medium freight work as well as a high power (6.4MW) version. DC only versions are only available in medium power. The standard design speed is 160 km/h, which can be upgraded to 200 km/h with the addition of semi-active yaw dampers incorporating a bogie-bogie steering mechanism.
The main body of the vehicle is self supporting, consisting of an underframe of three longitudinal sill plate
Sill plate
A sill plate or sole plate in construction and architecture is the bottom horizontal member of a wall or building to which vertical members are attached. Sill plates are usually composed of lumber. It usually comes in sizes of 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, and 2×10. In the platform framing method the sill plate...
s (centre and sides), side walls, transverse support members for the bogie pivots and for the transformer, and end sill plates. The roof is in three sections and is removable, the two drivers cabins also have a replaceable front end. The buffer beam section is also a separate part, which allows replacement if it is damaged in a collision.
The main compartment of the locomotive contains the electrical equipment except the main transformer and batteries which are located below the frame. All electrical components are placed in predefined locations on either side of a central aisle connecting the two cabins with each mounting position being reserved for a single type of equipment.
The bogies transmit tractive force through a central pivot. The traction motors are flexibly supported by the bogie frame, and are connected to the wheelset mounted reduction gears by a multiple disc coupling. A full hollow shaft (folded cardan) drive system is also optional. Mechanical breaking is via wheel mounted disc brakes. Electrical regenerative braking is also used.
The locomotives can work in double, multiple and push-pull formation with other Vectron, Eurosprinter and Eurorunner locomotives as well as some other locomotives fitted with the same multiple working equipment.
Diesel powered version
The diesel engined version uses a MTUMTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
16V 4000 R84 engine of 2.4 MW rated power.
Operators and leasing companies
In December 2010 RailpoolRailpool
Railpool is a European rolling stock leasing company. Based in Munich, it was formed by HSH Nordbank and KfW IPEX-Bank in 2008 to offer passenger and freight locomotive and rolling stock financing and leasing, and also advice and services.-Assets:...
ordered six 6.4 MW 15 kV 16·7 Hz Vectrons for cross-border freight and passenger services in Germany and Austria.
Variants
Siemens attempted to market the locomotives in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
for service in the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
, and won an order for 70 locomotives based on the Vectron design, to be designated the Amtrak Cities Sprinter
Amtrak Cities Sprinter
The Amtrak Cities Sprinter, or ACS-64, is an electric locomotive designed by Siemens Mobility for Amtrak.-Order:In October 2010, Amtrak ordered 70 locomotives, to be delivered from February 2013 onwards; the locomotives will be manufactured in Florin, California with secondary work occurring at...
.