Belgian Railways Class 77
The NMBS/SNCB Class 77 (also known as HLD 77 or HLR 77) is a class of 4 axle B'B' road switcher diesel hydraulic locomotive designed for shunting and freight work manufactured at the beginning of the 2000s by Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik and later by Vossloh at the Maschinenbau Kiel plant in Kiel, Germany for the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS).
SNCB/NMBS 77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Diesel locomotive #7798 of the Belgian State Railways (SNCB – NMBS), 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background and design
The initial order for 90 locomotives was given to Siemens in 1997 to replace an aging diesel fleet; the railway opted for a locomotive suitable for both shunting and mainline use, rather than separate classes.[4]
The locomotives were variants of the standard MaK G1200 series design,[2] and are considered a development of the MaK G1205 type.[1] The locomotive is an off-centre cab design with a two-speed voith hydraulic transmission driving all axles via cardan shafts.[2] Auxiliary electrical supply is provided by an engine mounted alternator.[4] Unlike many other MaK locomotives which use a MTU or CAT 12-cylinder V engine the locomotive has an ABC 6-cylinder inline engine.[3]
The first locomotive was delivered in October 1999, and worked satisfactorily; a second order for 80 locomotives was given in June 2001.[4][5]
Operations
The first locomotive entered service in February 2004.[6] All 170 units were operational by June 2005.[7]
Due to its relatively low power the locomotives work in multiple on heavy freight trains.
Equipment variations
Sets of the class vary in the type of equipment they carry:[4]
NMBS/SNCB number |
Radio control |
Cab Radio |
ATB | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
7701–7708 | Yes | Yes | No | 7701-7708 Fitted with Automatic coupler for hill shunting; not approved for Netherlands |
7709–7728 | Approved for limited operations in Netherlands[5] | |||
7729–7770 | No | |||
7771-7790 | Yes | Approved for Netherlands[8] and Germany (2004);[9] PZB system | ||
7791–7865 | No | No | Can operate in Netherlands when in multiple with locos with ATB or radio[8] | |
7866–7870 | ~ | Yes | Fitted with ATB and PZB in 2008 for work in Germany (Iron Rhine line)[10] |
See also
- NS Class 6400 similar concept diesel electric freight locomotives built by MaK/Siemens between 1988 and 1995 for the railways of the Netherlands.
References
- "MaK – HLD 77 für die SNCB". www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
- "HLD 77 diesel-hydraulic, multi-purpose locomotive for SNCB (Belgian Railways) equipped with Voith L 4r4 zseU2a turbo reversing transmission" (PDF). www.voithturbo.com. Voith.
- David De Neef (editor). "Locomotives des séries 77 et 78". www.belrail (in French). Fiche technique.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- David De Neef (editor). "Locomotives des séries 77 et 78". www.belrail.be (in French).CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- "Nieuwsbrief Issue 48". www.netherlandsrailways.co.uk. Benelux Railways Society. March 2004. Class 77. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07.
- David De Neef (editor). "Les premières 77 en service commercial". www.belrail.be (in French).CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- David De Neef (editor). "L'ensemble de la série 77/78 opérationnelle". www.berail.be (in French).CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- David De Neef (editor). "Les 77/78 homologuées aux Pays-Bas". www.belrail.be (in French).CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- David De Neef (editor). "Les 77 homologuées en Allemagne". www.belrail.be (in French).CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- David De Neef (editor). "Cinq motrices supplémentaires pour circuler sur le Rhin d'acier". www.belrail.be (in French).CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SNCB/NMBS Class 77. |
- Images: SNCB série 77, www.rail.lu
- Images: Belgian freight diesel class 77, www.railfaneurope.net