GE U26C

The vehicles of the type U26C the manufacturer GE Transportation Systems are diesel -electric locomotives with the CC wheel arrangement. The locomotives are used on Cape or meter gauge in Brazil, Kenya, New Zealand and South Africa; four of the Brazilian locomotives were later converted to 1600 mm broad gauge. A built by Krupp in license more powerful version called the U30C is used on the TAZARA in Tanzania.

Countries

New Zealand

49 U26C were built for New Zealand as a class DX, 15 in 1971 and 34 in 1975-76. The track numbers of the locomotives were 2600-2648.

The one of these locomotives was modernized in 1993 and 2006 and thereby provided, among other things with new engines and a novel designed cab. The rebuilt locomotives bearing the class designation DXR (R as rebuilt). The conversion program was not continued.

Over time, the engines have been modified in various points; among other things, they were modified cabs with one-piece windshield. Other changes relate to the electronics and the couplings. Some DX were modified for operation by the 8.5 km long, lying in a slope Otira tunnel. Thus, the machines do not suck the clustering on the tunnel ceiling exhaust gases, the locomotives were outside the locomotive body mounted, downward -reaching Ansaughutzen. The locomotive in the picture belong to this variant.

A DX has already been retired, the remaining 48, including the two DXR are still in operation.

South Africa

Most U26C were 255 pieces for the South African Railways (now Transnet Freight Rail ) built where they are known as Class 34. The various supply series of locomotives were classified in the subclasses 34-000 ( 125 pieces, 1971-73 ), 34-400 ( 100, 1973) and 34-900 ( 30 Pieces, 1979-80 ). They are mixed classified there with the matching in power and weight model EMD GT26MC attesting to the subclasses 34-200, 34-600, 34-800 and 37-100. Are used, the locomotives both freight and passenger trains, including the Blue Train.

A further 44 U26C 1971-73 were supplied as industrial locomotives to ISCOR -Werke (now Mittal Steel South Africa). 39 of these locomotives were taken over by Spoornet and the 34-501 to 34-539 eingenummert (Class 34-500 or " ex ISCOR 34-400 "). Two other U26C 1977 went to the Douglas Colliery. Except for the latter two locomotives and the first three SAR machines all South African U26C were built at Dorbyl Transport Products under license.

A special feature of the operation, the iron ore train Sishen - Saldanha dar. on this since 1978 with 50 kV electrified operate diesel locomotives of Class 34, especially the former ISCOR machines, as multiple units with electric locomotives and much more powerful and heavier class 9E, however, are in future be replaced by new electric locomotives. In some cases trains are - like those before electrification - drawn exclusively by diesel locomotives.

Kenya

The U26C the Kenya Railways (KR ) carry the vehicles the class designation 93 (delivery in 1977, 26 units) and 94 (delivery in 1987, 10 pieces) The class consists of 95 leased and converted to meter gauge South African U26C.

Brazil

Six meterspurige U26C 1981 have been delivered to the Brazilian Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas ( EFVM ), where they received the numbers 401-406. They were built by GE do Brasil. Four of the locomotives ( Nos. 401, 402, 404, and 406) were taken over in 1998 by the Ferro places and on broad gauge (1600 mm) rebuilt. Since 2006, these locomotives are América Latina Logistica (ALL).

Tanzania

1982 delivered Krupp for the kapspurige TAZARA 22 locomotives, which correspond to the U26C, whose performance was, however, increased to about 3000 hp and are therefore termed U30C - which term originally given to a series from 1966 to 1976, built for the U.S. standard gauge locomotives had been (see GE U30C ).

Technology

The locomotives have the typical structure of North American diesel locomotives in road switcher design. The supercharged V12 four-stroke diesel engine, the generator and the auxiliary units are easily accessible under a long hood, which is just as high, but narrower than the arranged at one end of the cab and therefore the driver to look in both directions allows ( Road service is but driving usually preceded with the cab ). The six electric traction motors are mounted in the two bogies and drive each one axis. Is the fuel tank between the bogies.

The locomotives are multiple traction capability; there are in New Zealand and South Africa four or more locomotives are not uncommon.

The technical data of the locomotives vary depending on the year and execution; however, is the engine type is always the GE -12 7FDL used. The above table gives the range of values ​​of the New Zealand and South African locomotives.

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