ÖBB Class 1044

The series 1044, ÖBB is a universal electric locomotive. that is suitable for heavy express train as well as freight service on the plains and on mountain roads. At the time of introduction this was the most powerful four-axle electric locomotive in the world, involving the provision of the Taurus, the showpiece of the ÖBB. At present all locos are converted to 1144.

History

The procurement went ahead with positive experiences of thyristor locomotive 1043. First, the two prototypes were built 1044.01 and 1044.02, of which the former had an eight- bridge circuit and the latter a four- bridge circuit. The series cars followed the design principle of 1044.02, with a simpler winding structure was chosen for the drive motors. From 1976 the production locomotives were ( from No. 1044.03 ) delivered and put into service.

In 1978 occurred Radreifenbrüche. In the winters of 1979/80 and 1980/81, the locomotives had to deal with severe problems with the air intake and moisture penetration. All of these defects require changes in the design, which ultimately were successful. By 1987, a total of 126 locomotives were delivered ( 1044.01 to 1044.126 ).

From 1989 until 1995 another 91 locomotives were delivered ( 1044.200 1044.290 to ), which differed from the previous series with a modified design of the running, improved soundproofing and revised translation.

As of 2002 locomotives of the series 1044.2 were constantly equipped with compatible multi- and push-pull train and re-drawn in the course of this adaptation to the series 1144. As of August 2006, meaning that the remaining 119 locomotives of the series 1044.0 and 1044.1 and 91 locomotives of the series in 1144 in the state of ÖBB.

While the 1044.02 served as a source of spare parts, the Prototypenlok was 1044.01 in 1987 converted into a high-speed test locomotive and renumbered 1044,501, reached in tests at a speed of 241.25 km / h In 2001 she was retired and is now visible in the Railway Museum Strasshof. The 1044.40 has been called " modern Nostalgielok " (but still in regular service ) largely retained in blood orange and with old ÖBB logo ( " Pflatsch " ) in the original state, but rebuilt and redrawn in February 2010 to 1144.40.

Since April 2009, the erstgelieferte series ( 1044.0 and 1044.1 ) is converted to a series of 1144. In addition to the installation of the remote control, the rebuilt locomotives will receive a GSM - R radio system, PZB 90 and new LED headlights. After the fix the problems with the remote control ( push-pull train control) the 1144.0/.1 benefits of old - electric locomotives of the series in 1142 will take over.

The locomotives are to be found in Austria and in parts of southern Germany, occasionally they drive but also to the North German Bremerhaven.