SBB-CFF-FFS Re 460

The Re 460 is a four-axle multi-purpose locomotive of the SBB, popularly known as Lok 2000.

4.1 Advertising locomotives
4.2 baptismal name

History

Political background

In the 1970s, the SBB for Switzerland evaluated for appropriate forms of high-speed traffic. The project Rail 2000 slowly took shape and various cost-benefit analyzes led to the conclusion that infrastructure and rolling stock for a maximum speed of 200 km / h should be interpreted. In spite of available (but not yet proven ) newer technology SBB ordered the fifth and sixth production series (45 27 Pieces ) of the proven Re 4/4II which were delivered from 1981 to 1985. The rolling stock industry, represented by SLM and BBC, built at the same time the four prototype locomotives Re 4/4IV, which were passed in 1982 at the Swiss Federal Railways.

Due to the decline in traffic volume serial order of Re 4/4IV remained, especially since the thyristor technology was outdated since the development of AC drive technology. For the SBB S-Bahn Zurich came to the fore. A feasibility study of the SLM on a serious high-speed locomotive, as was desired by the SBB, showed that this was feasible, but major development steps were missing. The SBB missed it first time in 1985 a development contract to the consortium SLM / BBC. Together, a specification was drawn up in 1987, which represented the same time offer the industry.

The SBB ordered for passenger end of 1987, a first series of twelve locomotives, in mid-1989, a second series of further twelve machines. The first twelve were ordered as Re 4/4VI under the operating numbers 10701-10712, which, however, were still occupied at the time of the Ae 3/6I.

In autumn 1989, the Federal SBB commissioned with providing capacity for piggyback traffic. At the tender also carried out by the consortium SLM / ABB participated, with their further performance-optimized concept locomotive 2000 and two variants thereof. The consortium won the tender for and received in mid-1990 the contract for a further 75 machines, which were also known as ' Hupac' locomotives. Thus, the SBB was first appointed 99 locomotives of a type that existed only on the drawing board.

Also in the fall of 1989 began talks between the BLS and the consortium SLM / ABB, which eventually led to the development of Re 465.

For freight transport should be ordered 460 originally still two or four power variants of Re. This project was abandoned in favor of specially constructed for freight SBB Re 482, as even the then price of a Re 460 was significantly higher than those of today available comparable goods locomotive.

The Re 460 until further notice, the last mainline mainline locomotive, which was almost completely constructed from Swiss companies. The locomotive in Switzerland had to be discontinued for economic reasons now. Only Stadler Rail manufactures more locomotives for shunting and for the gear operating in Switzerland.

Development history of the Re 460

An important building block for the development of the Re 460 was developed by SLM and BBC Re 456, which was delivered from 1987 on private railways. The externally of the related Re 4/4IV locomotive was the first Umrichterlok Switzerland who worked with GTO thyristors and AC induction motors. As of 1989, a development of 456 Re with a new design was also used in the SBB used 450 as a re electric equipment of the Re 456/450 formed the technical basis of the Lok 2000.

The public was the first Re 4/4 460 as it was called at that time, presented in early 1991 not fahrtauglichem state. Oerlikon in mid-1991 put the 460 000 its first meters on their own back. Re the first 460 was delivered officially on 28 January 1992. Until early 1996, 119 units of Re 460 were built, what operating numbers 460 000 received at SBB to 460 118.

Operation

With the commissioning of the Re 460 originating from the 1920 Ae 3/6 I and Ae 4/7 and originating from the 1940s Re 4/4I could be scrapped. In regular traffic, the Re 460 were found after the elimination of many childhood diseases from 1994. You degraded in passenger re 4/4II in lower services.

Initially, the Re 460 were used in both passenger and freight - some in multiple unit control. In the divisional structure of the SBB as of September 1, 1999 Re 460079-118 belonged to the freight. To all locomotives that are suitable for 200 km / h and remote control by the IC or IC -2000 - driving car, be able to use for passenger services, the Re 6/ 6 were reallocated and SBB Cargo procured as replacements international Cargolok Bombardier TRAXX, which has the same performance, but only 140 km / h top speed has. On January 1, 2003 2004 096-102 and 2005, the remaining locomotives were 079-095, adopted by the Passenger Division of Cargo. The Re 460 is now used mainly to IC2000 trains or commuter trains consisting of EW IV and IC Bt control car.

Modernization

The SBB announced that all of its 119 locomotives will be subjected to the end of 2022 a modernization. Amongst these new inverters are installed, which power the traction motors with power and recover braking energy. Thanks to the new converters, the SBB saves every year 27 gigawatt hours of energy. Make recognizable externally will the reconstruction based on a new, shiny red paint.

Variations of Re 460

As of 2000, some 460 Re was used with radio remote control as Ref 460 in the Gotthard freight. The Re 460 was appointed as BLS Re 465 for BLS Lötschberg Bahn AG in a slightly more powerful version. Other offshoots of the Lok 2000 family is also found in foreign railway companies, such as for the broad-gauge VR - Yhtymä ( Finnish State Railways ) and Sr2 (46 pieces). 22 went as El 18 on the Norwegian Norges Statsbaner and two machines under the name KCRC TLN / TLS to the Kowloon -Canton Railway Corporation (KCR ) ( Hong Kong / China) for operation between Kowloon ( Hong Kong) and Guangzhou.

Advertising locomotives

The film producer Agfa has developed together with the SBB, a concept for a traveling all- advertising. The Directorate-General of the Federal Railroad agreed and the first advertising locomotives Re 460 015 in Agfa- house colors and your company logo in 1994 to the rails. Almost simultaneously, there was a request from Ciba, now Novartis. Also Ciba agreed with the SBB, the Re 460 016 was followed by her sister in May 1994. Nowadays, however, all machines for advertising are released. No one thought at the beginning that the advertising locomotives will be such a success. Whether for advertising companies, railway photographer or model train manufacturers make the Re 460 locomotives advertising a welcome change not represent other Swiss locomotive was already wearing so many different color dresses, like the Re 460

See also: List of advertising locomotives of Swiss Federal Railways