SJ Rc

The Rc is an electric locomotive series Statens Järnvägar (SJ ).

It is the most widespread type of locomotive in Sweden. Never before more copies were there put into service as from the Rc of a locomotive type. It is an electric locomotive that is used in all parts of the country and up into Norway from all types of trains.

The Rc differs from the previously procured in Sweden electric locomotives by their thyristor control. A total of 366 locomotives of this type were built in several versions for the SJ. After the splitting, the SJ, the locomotives now SJ AB, Green Cargo and Affärsverket Statens Järnvägar ( SSRT ) are assigned.

History

The locomotives were built 1967-1988. A forerunner was the 1962 built terraced Rb. In this it was delivered prototypes of the later Rc- locomotives. The name is composed of the principal class letter R, which stands for " four-axle electric locomotive with bogies ", and the subgenus mark c, denoting the third variation within this main category.

Basically, up to three Rc- locomotives (including the derived ones type Rm El and 16) via a multiple unit control connected together and operated by a driver's cab. This was preferably utilized when using the Rm / Rc- locos before ore trains and before the steel trains of the SSAB and from Borlänge. The other trains are not as heavy as that one triple traction would be required. In addition, the power supply is not strong enough on some routes expanded to feed three Rc- locos. Rc- locomotives are now less common than in previous years because this is generally disposed of it, to string passenger trains with locomotives before passenger trains. Instead, come here increased railcar used. These have better acceleration and often a greater top speed compared to locomotive hauled trains. In the Mälardalen regional trains were temporarily covered with two Rc- locomotives. Here, a locomotive, the other was at the top of the train, the train set. This results in shorter travel times, as the train does not have to be turned over. The rear locomotive ran it with no drive. A similar constellation was used in the SJ shuttle between Stockholm and Uppsala, here is a serial Multipelsteuerung (SMS), the rear locomotive also provides traction and thus enables a very high acceleration of the train set. The control pulses are received from the front engine to the rear on the locomotive UIC cable.

Some of the locomotives were retrofitted with Rangierbühnen and radio remote control - highlighted by a red stripe in addition obliquely upwards.

The locomotives were initially painted in orange, later blue with red stripe. The locomotives, which passed in 2001 to Green Cargo, initially all received a corresponding sticker and piece by piece, painted green. End of 2006, SJ AB has (after a short test with gray locomotives according to the design of the X40 motor coaches ) started to paint his blue RC3 and Rc6 piece by piece black. It should all Rcs by SJ AB on life are painted black.

Versions

Overall, there was the Rc -Lok in seven different versions (the special version Rm is not counted), five of which are still to be found today. Many machines were converted from one version to another, some more than once. In addition, more or less modified variants of Rc were exported.

Rc1

The first version appeared in 1967 and was then called only Rc. Only with ordering the Rc2 Rc1 in the name was changed. A total of 20 pieces of Rc1 were built, of which 17 still exist. At the beginning of the Rc- locomotives were mainly used in express service, but later they came to the stringing of all types of trains are used. At the beginning of the 1990s was the SJ in the dark about what to do with the Rc1. There was a choice of scrapping and upgrading. The choice fell on last alternative and all Rc1 were modernized. They got new air intakes, were fitted with train radio and got the new blue paint at the time of the SJ. The new air vents with which the Rc1 are provided are different from those of Rc2, 3 and 4, whereas in the case of Rc1, the air inlets on the entire length of the edge of the roof cover, having the Rc2 to inlets 4 only at the ends of the roof. In 2001, all of Rc1 Green Cargo were assigned employing the locomotives especially in Hallberg, Sävenäs and Borlänge shunting.

Rc2

The second version, an enhanced version of Rc1 was delivered from 1969 to 1975. The Rc2 was initially as the Rc1 used for the transport of all types of trains. With the division of SJ Rc2 all came to Green Cargo and went from thence to only freight trains. In the 90s, about 30 Rc2 were converted to RC3. This came as all other RC3, in the division of the new SJ SJ AB. At the beginning of the 21st century, some Rc2 were loaned to the private rail operators Tågkompaniet, which it established on the northern Swedish iron ore railway. These locomotives were, however, soon replaced by Rc6. The Austrian ÖBB borrowed in 1970 for testing purposes Rc2 locomotive with number 1049 from. It should be examined whether Thyristorlokomotiven are suitable for use on high mountain ranges. The tests were so successful that it resulted in an order of ten slightly modified Rc2. These were given in the series designation Austria ÖBB 1043rd locomotive number 5 was severely damaged in an accident and subsequently served as a source of spare parts. The nine remaining machines were purchased by the Swedish private railway Tågåkeriet i Bergslagen in 2001 and are today used by Tagab and Banverket. Three of the locomotives were temporarily leased to the TGOJ. However, as these of Tågkompaniet also leased locomotives of the EL16 series ankaufte later, the machines were returned to Tagab. The Austrian Rc2 - locos differ from the Swedish inter alia, by deviating pantograph and only three instead of four headlamps.

RC3

RC3 are, apart from the gear ratio identical to the Rc2. The RC3 is designed for a speed of 160 km / hr. Originally ten RC3 for SJ were built. However, a larger number of Rc2 in RC3 was rebuilt later. Some c4 received the modified gear ratio for up to 160 km / h and were designated Rc4P. The name suffix " P" was first used at Green Cargo, to identify specific machines for traction of post moves. With the division of SJ in 2001 all RC3 locomotives came to SJ AB. Some of them were bought later by Green Cargo for Postzugbetrieb. In addition, the Affärsverket Statens Järnvägar division has some RC3. Especially since purchasing the X40 Series, the SJ AB is increasingly about to passenger trains to go by motor coach. Thus, there is a surplus of locomotives. This is counteracted by the letting of surplus locomotives, especially RC3, other railway companies. So it may happen that RC3 locomotives encountered with SJ- Signet freight trains.

C4

Sweden's most common electric locomotive that was delivered in 1975. Of the total 128 still built 130 machines are in use. Some, however, were equipped for Postzugdienst later with a different gear ratio, which is designed for 160 km / h. These machines were designated Rc4P. With the division of SJ all c4 came to Green Cargo. The c4 with number 1166 was loaned in the years 1976 and 1977 to the American Amtrak, where she was known as the X995. Amtrak was very satisfied, so that there was an order from numerous locomotives by Amtrak with the operation of the locomotive. The machines carry there the type designation AEM 7th The private railway companies New Jersey Transit NJT, MARC and SEPTA also ordered on the Rc -based, similar locomotives, of which the last was delivered in 1997 by the ASEA plants in Västerås. The Norwegian NSB tested with the c4 1137 this series. The testing led to the appointment of the EL16 series. This is a slightly modified c4, which is different from the Swedish version is primarily due to a change front ends as well as stronger traction motors.

The last Rc -Lok, which is served in the traditional orange color of the SJ, is the c4 with number 1290th Basically, Green Cargo strives to provide locomotives for main studies with their own green paint. In 1290, however, the traditional paint was renewed in light of the 150th anniversary of the Swedish Railways ( 2007), despite major investigation. As decided at the next major revision on the paint of the machine, it is not yet possible to forecast.

A variant of the c4 is the Rm provided with a lower gear ratio and additional weights under

RC5

From the c4 for RC5 there was a leap in development. The machines were new, equipped according to the latest ergonomic cabs with air conditioning. For the glazing of the front window of bulletproof glass was used. It was a more modern version of the thyristor converter and the drive motors. In addition, the locomotives were equipped with electronic surveillance, reports the disturbances in preparation for the next workshop visit in the cab.

Externally, the RC5 distinguished from its predecessor mainly due to the different design of the air intakes. This pull to either side of the entire roof edge. The transmission of RC5 was basically designed to 135 km / h so that the machines could be used for most types of trains. Originally 60 units were built. However, all RC5 were gradually converted to Rc6 By replacing the transmission. In November 1995, the last RC5 was provided with another gear. To mention is the RC5 with number 1377th This is the only locomotive that never wore an orange paint job. It was delivered before purchasing the X2000 railcar with a test paint. Later the locomotive received a striking blue - black finish. The side surfaces were partially coated black and with a pattern of blue lines. This coloring was used to test the later introduced blue color scheme de SJ. The locomotive was repainted later this accordingly.

Rc6

The Rc6 is the locomotive that carries most of the passenger trains of SJ AB today. The Rc6 differs from the RC5 by her on 160 km / h out gear blank. 40 examples were built. Together with the converted RC5 today there are 100 machines of this type. Most are used by SJ AB. Some are operated by Statens Affärsverket Järnvägar. This company rents the locomotives for use on private rail operators.

One of these locomotives got a red finish for use in passenger traffic at Tågkompaniet on the track Sundsvall- Östersund. However, the machine went back to Affärsverket than Tågkompaniet locomotives bought by the Norwegian NSB. 2005 Affärsverket Statens Järnvägar began to provide their own locomotives with a gray - red paint. Rc6 were rebuilt and equipped with, among other things, with lateral orange lamps with which the crew signaled the engineer readiness for departure.

Some of the locomotives was provided with SMS Equipment. This equipment allows for multiple unit control of locomotives over UIC cables. This was first used as SJ procured three control car for the traffic between Stockholm and Uppsala. The SMS equipment was required to operate the locomotive from the control car from can. Today it is used where trains are covered, each with a locomotive at each end. The specially equipped machines have the name Rc6U. It is disputed whether "U" for Uppsala or for UIC stands.

Rc7

The version Rc7 there were only a few years. To drive 11 replacement trains for the high-speed railcars X2000 series under the name Blue X or IC, received in 2001, five Rc6 ( Bert actuator numbers 1418 to 1422 ) a dark blue paint. The locomotives 1421 and 1422 also received a revised gear ratio for speeds up to 180 km / h and for this reason a unique name as Rc7. However, it proved to be too costly to adapt cars for the increased speed. Therefore, the Rc7 were dismantled again to Rc6. However, they retained their dark blue paint.

Rm

This is based on the type of locomotive c4 is slightly heavier than the Rc and was built specifically for use on ore trains. To increase the traction these locomotives were given a modified gear ratio (100 km / h) as well as ballast weight in the frame. The bogies are stated otherwise, the locomotive has drum brakes instead of disc brakes. Before they were ore trains in triple traction, at times, used in version Rm/Rc4/Rm. The six -built locomotives proved themselves from the heavy ore trains not because they tend to spin when starting. The locomotives were therefore used later by Malmö and Gothenburg before normal freight trains. From 2014 they are at least partially come again on the Erzbahn used, this time in front of the trains of Northland Resources.

Foreign variants

The manufacturer ASEA exported at that time a large number of locomotives that were based on the Rc -Lok. In some countries, greater locomotive series were manufactured under license as on the Rc based. The Rc- locomotive was exported to the following countries or manufactured under license as: ÖBB 1043 in Austria, Iran, Norway, and Romania. Modified versions on the basis of Rc were procured in the United States, Canada, Australia and India.