Mixed-traffic locomotive

A universal locomotive (from Latin Universus = total, whole) is a locomotive that can be used both in heavy freight service as well as in the fast passenger trains.

For railway undertakings that are active in both operating segments, Universal locomotives are attractive because the operational requirements can be covered with a few different series in this way, which is favorable to the development and maintenance costs. Since universal locomotives for a variety of tasks can be used, the disposition will be simplified and reduced downtime.

Even in the era of steam locomotives was trying to develop universal locomotives. These attempts failed, mostly at the fundamental problem that when steam locomotives high speeds can only be achieved with large diameter wheels, but do not reach such high traction locomotives. Came closest to this goal in Germany with from the special unit freight locomotive steam locomotive class 41 The last attempt of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in the GDR, to do with the series 25.10 a universal locomotive, was unsuccessful.

First locomotives that were used in both the freight train operation as well as for fast passenger trains, so diesel-hydraulic locomotives with operating transmission, such as the vehicles of the V -160 family of locomotives were: Depending on the in-gear can there either high tractive or a high top speed (up to 140 km / h ) are obtained.

Electric locomotives with AC technology, however, remained primarily used in one mode, such as the DB series 110 and 140 only in Austria, the concept of universal locomotive with the commissioning of the series in 1042 has been taken up in the 1960s, while in Germany truly universal locomotives only with the development of AC drive technology made ​​their entrance. Pioneer in this case the 120 series was now appropriate locomotives are offered by various manufacturers.