Voith Gravita
Encyclopedia
The Voith Gravita locomotives are a new family of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
. Available in a range of configurations from 2 to 4 axle they are designed for shunting and light and medium freight operations.
The 10BB version has been chosen by Deutsche Bahn
as a replacement for its DB Class 290 locomotives with an order of 130 locos in 2008.
locomotives at InnoTrans
. The Gravita series was launched at the 2008 InnoTrans event. For the production of these locomotives a new plant has been constructed in Kiel
, a city already known for locomotive production.
The Gravita 15BB variant was presented at InnoTrans 2010.
The locomotives meet requirements for noise (TSI
) and exhaust gas emission UIC II/EU IIIA (see International Union of Railways
and European emission standards
)
.
) subsidiary.
The 1000 kW locos will have engines supplied by MTU
, and are intended to replace the well known DB Class V 90
(aka DBAG Class 290); the new reporting number for this class of locomotive will be 260
10BB and 15BB type locomotives were initially offered via lease from Ox-Traction; the company ceased trading in August 2010.
Swiss companies Stahl Gerlafingen and Panlog AG took delivery of their Gravita 10BB locomotives in March 2010. Stahl Gerlafingen operates 2 locos, Panlog AG 3 locos.
The first 3 built locomotives were sold to leasing company Northrail and painted in orange livery in mid-2010. Voith has 5 additional leasing/stock locomotives which are being tested by different rail operators.
Voith
The Voith GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany, is a family-run corporation in the mechanical engineering sector with worldwide operations....
. Available in a range of configurations from 2 to 4 axle they are designed for shunting and light and medium freight operations.
The 10BB version has been chosen by Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn AG is the German national railway company, a private joint stock company . Headquartered in Berlin, it came into existence in 1994 as the successor to the former state railways of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany and the Deutsche Reichsbahn of East Germany...
as a replacement for its DB Class 290 locomotives with an order of 130 locos in 2008.
History
Voith, a well known manufacture of hydraulic transmissions and other locomotive components entered the locomotive building business in 2006 with the launch of the Voith MaximaVoith Maxima
The Voith Maxima locomotives are a new family of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG., a subsidiary of Voith. According to Voith, the Maxima 40CC is the most powerful single-engined diesel-hydraulic locomotive in the world, rated at 3,600 kW...
locomotives at 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...
. The Gravita series was launched at the 2008 InnoTrans event. For the production of these locomotives a new plant has been constructed in Kiel
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
, a city already known for locomotive production.
The Gravita 15BB variant was presented at InnoTrans 2010.
Technology
Key features of this series are large fuel tanks, modular construction (allowing interchangeability of some parts between different classes), multi-traction (consisting) with other Voith locomotives, manual or remote operation, and a centrally located air conditioned drivers cabin.The locomotives meet requirements for noise (TSI
Technical Specifications for Interoperability
The ERA Technical Specification for Interoperability are specifications drafted by the European Railway Agency and adopted in a Decision by the European Commission, to ensure the interoperability of the trans-European rail system...
) and exhaust gas emission UIC II/EU IIIA (see International Union of Railways
International Union of Railways
The UIC , or International Union of Railways, is an international rail transport industry body.- Brief history :The railways of Europe originated as separate concerns. There were many border changes after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Colonial railways were the responsibility of the...
and European emission standards
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
)
Variants
Voith offers 5 variants of this locomotive, ranging from a light shunter to a medium power locomotive. Some technical specifications are presented above (in the 'infobox'), the purpose of use is given below.- 20BB Designed for regional and cross border traffic
- 15BB Designed for heavy shunting as well as mainline use
- 10BB Shunting and freight - minimalist design for heavy industrial operation
- 5C Heavy shunting and light freight
- 5B Light shunter
Servicing
Under an agreement with Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) a workshop for servicing Voith locomotives has been established at Brühl-Vochem near KölnKOLN
KOLN, digital channel 10, is the CBS affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. It operates a satellite station, KGIN, on digital channel 11 in Grand Island. KGIN repeats all KOLN programming, but airs separate commercials...
.
Career and orders
On 23 September 2008 it was announced that Deutsche Bahn had placed a €250 million order for 130 of the 10BB variant to be operated by its DB SchenkerDB Schenker
DB Schenker is a logistics company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG. The company, created by reorganisation and rebranding of various Deutsche Bahn subsidiaries, comprises a logistics division encompassing air, land and sea freight, and a rail division made up from a variety of...
) subsidiary.
The 1000 kW locos will have engines supplied by MTU
MTU Friedrichshafen
MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909...
, and are intended to replace the well known DB Class V 90
DB Class V 90
The DB Class V90 locomotive is a German diesel-hydraulic locomotive for shunting and freight hauling.-History and design:...
(aka DBAG Class 290); the new reporting number for this class of locomotive will be 260
10BB and 15BB type locomotives were initially offered via lease from Ox-Traction; the company ceased trading in August 2010.
Swiss companies Stahl Gerlafingen and Panlog AG took delivery of their Gravita 10BB locomotives in March 2010. Stahl Gerlafingen operates 2 locos, Panlog AG 3 locos.
The first 3 built locomotives were sold to leasing company Northrail and painted in orange livery in mid-2010. Voith has 5 additional leasing/stock locomotives which are being tested by different rail operators.