Vossloh G2000 BB
Encyclopedia
The Vossloh
G 2000 BB is a four axle heavy shunting and mainline locomotive built at the former MaK
plant in Kiel
. At the time of its introduction in 2000 it was the most powerful hydraulic transmission locomotive in Vossloh's range.
The Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) reporting number for this loco is 253.
in 2000. The initial model had an asymmetric cab (see image) with a walkway; the asymmetric cab design allows the walkway to extend all the way to each end of the locomotive; coupled with remote control operation this means that shunting can be done from an external viewpoint whilst still riding on the locomotive.
The design is modular with various components (engine, drive etc.) coming from different suppliers.
A second variant was produced, this time with a symmetrical cab; two different versions of this model were produced - one for the Italian market (G 2000-2 BB) with left hand drive (trains in Italy generally keep to the left) and another (G 2000-3 BB) with right hand drive for Germany. The new cabs had seating for two operators, in other respects apart from the cab these two models are identical to the initial asymmetric offering.
Starting in 2004 two further sub designs were made: G 2000-4 BB with a MTU
engine which increase the power to 2700 kW. This variant also included a hydrodynamic retarder (a type of braking system) as part of the Voith
supplied transmission package.
The last variant is G 2000-5 BB which has the same upgrades as the fourth offering, it is designed for the Scandinavian market and as such has anti wheel slip technology, and can be equipped for service down to -40C.
The locomotives are operated by many companies, many of them on lease. Angel Trains
and MRCE
both act as leasing companies, with Angel Trains providing the vast majority of the leased locomotives. Other owners include Azienda Consorziale Trasporti (ACT) and SBB
Cargo (as class SBB Am 840)
The machines find use in northern Italy and in the German Ruhr region as well as being used for cross border traffic in the Benelux region. Railion
, Euro Cargo Rail
, Rail4chem
and others all use this locomotive. The locomotives are used for freight.
The Swedish rail company Hector Rail operates one of the G 2000-5 machines.
Vossloh
Vossloh AG is a German transport technology manufacturer based in the Westphalian town of Werdohl. The group has 4,700 employees , and generated sales of €1.2 billion, of which approximately 60% came from the rail infrastructure division, and the remainder from the motive power and components...
G 2000 BB is a four axle heavy shunting and mainline locomotive built at the former MaK
Maschinenbau Kiel
Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH designed, manufactured and marketed marine diesel engines, diesel locomotives and tracked vehicles under the MaK brand name. The three primary operating divisions of Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH were sold to different companies in the 1990s.Rheinmetall acquired the military...
plant 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...
. At the time of its introduction in 2000 it was the most powerful hydraulic transmission locomotive in Vossloh's range.
The Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) reporting number for this loco is 253.
History and Design
The locomotive was unveiled at InnotransInnoTrans
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...
in 2000. The initial model had an asymmetric cab (see image) with a walkway; the asymmetric cab design allows the walkway to extend all the way to each end of the locomotive; coupled with remote control operation this means that shunting can be done from an external viewpoint whilst still riding on the locomotive.
The design is modular with various components (engine, drive etc.) coming from different suppliers.
A second variant was produced, this time with a symmetrical cab; two different versions of this model were produced - one for the Italian market (G 2000-2 BB) with left hand drive (trains in Italy generally keep to the left) and another (G 2000-3 BB) with right hand drive for Germany. The new cabs had seating for two operators, in other respects apart from the cab these two models are identical to the initial asymmetric offering.
Starting in 2004 two further sub designs were made: G 2000-4 BB with a 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...
engine which increase the power to 2700 kW. This variant also included a hydrodynamic retarder (a type of braking system) as part of the Voith
Voith
The Voith GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany, is a family-run corporation in the mechanical engineering sector with worldwide operations....
supplied transmission package.
The last variant is G 2000-5 BB which has the same upgrades as the fourth offering, it is designed for the Scandinavian market and as such has anti wheel slip technology, and can be equipped for service down to -40C.
Operators and Use
The locomotives are certified for use on the railways of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.The locomotives are operated by many companies, many of them on lease. Angel Trains
Angel Trains
Angel Trains is an English Rolling Stock Operating Company created in 1994 as part of the privatisation of British Rail. It was one of three ROSCOs...
and MRCE
MRCE
MRCE can refer to:*Manav Rachna College Of Engineering*Mitsui Rail Capital EuropeSee also*Mrče, village in Serbia...
both act as leasing companies, with Angel Trains providing the vast majority of the leased locomotives. Other owners include Azienda Consorziale Trasporti (ACT) and SBB
SBB
This article is about the Polish band. For the Michigan band, see Small Brown BikeSBB is a Polish progressive rock band formed in 1971 in Siemianowice, Upper Silesia by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Józef Skrzek...
Cargo (as class SBB Am 840)
The machines find use in northern Italy and in the German Ruhr region as well as being used for cross border traffic in the Benelux region. Railion
Railion
DB Schenker Rail is a European railway cargo carrier. The company was formed from the freight operating section of the Deutsche Bahn DB Cargo with the addition of various European rail freight operating companies.In December 2007 Railion became part of the DB Schenker logistics group, itself a...
, Euro Cargo Rail
Euro Cargo Rail
Euro Cargo Rail is a French rail freight operator formed in 2005 as a subsidiary of English, Welsh and Scottish Railway .-History:Euro Cargo Rail was founded in February 2005, in April 2005 EWS InternationalEWS International was the division of EWS responsible for operations through the Channel...
, Rail4chem
RAIL4CHEM
RAIL4CHEM was a German rail freight transport company, and the parent company of a number of European subsidiary rail freight transport companies including rail4chem Benelux B.V. , the rail4chem transalpin AG and Fer Polska S.A. .The business was acquired by Veolia Cargo in 2008, which was...
and others all use this locomotive. The locomotives are used for freight.
The Swedish rail company Hector Rail operates one of the G 2000-5 machines.