FS Class E403

Infobox Locomotive
name=FS class E403
electricsystem=3,000 V DC, 25,000 V AC
tractionmotors=AC series
powertype=Electric
builddate=2006-?
builder=AnsaldoBreda flagicon|ITA
weight=8? tons
uicclass=Bo-Bo
length= 19.90 m
poweroutput=5,600 kW| disposition=Being tested as of 2006
numinclass=24
topspeed=180 km/h
transmission=variable gear ratio: 45/71 or 33/92
safety=RS4; SCMT; ETCS
railroad=FS Trenitalia

E403 is a new class of electric locomotives to be used on fast freight trains by the Italian railway company FS Trenitalia.

History

In the early 2000s Trenitalia developed plans to expand its freight operations into mainland Europe, especially on the Italy-Austria-Germany corridor. A new locomotive had to be conceived for the plans to become reality, and was originally designated E402C. It was a further evolution of the E402B locomotive, with additional equipment to operate in these countries. The locomotives would originally be delivered between 2004 and 2006.

The programme started to suffer major blows: as AnsaldoBreda built this locomotive series exclusively for Trenitalia, on a non-standard platform (unlike the TRAXX and EuroSprinter locomotives which share standard components) the costs were exploding. The locomotive was downsized with the removal of the 1.5kV and 15kV parts and French, German and Austrian safety systems. Instead Trenitalia took 51% of the shares in TXLogistik and sought approval for its E412 locomotives in Austria and Germany. The (limited) Austrian and German approval was given in 2006, with TXLogistik drivers operating the trains in Austria and Germany.

The E402C programme was renamed E403 in 2005, with its characteristics finalised in the same year: the locomotive would now be used on fast freight trains, partly operating on the new high-speed lines. Delivery started in 2006 and approval was planned for 2007. Yet, the first locomotives were only assembled partly when they left the factory on their way to the Velim test ring. Final approval is to be gained at a later date: with the locomotives suffering the same problems as with other AnsaldoBreda products (like the V250 and DSB IC4 trainsets) this might be delayed well into mid-2009.

External links

* [http://www.trenomania.org/fotogallery/thumbnails.php?album=1108 Gallery of the E403 locomotives at Trenomania.org ]

See also

* FS class E402B