Voith Maxima

Infobox Locomotive
name = Voith Maxima family
powertype = Diesel

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imagesize = 250px
caption = Demonstrator locomotive 40CC 01 exhibited at the InnoTrans 2006 fair.
designer = ma design
builder = Voith Turbo flagicon|DEU
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builddate = 2006-
totalproduction = 2 (as of 2008)
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uicclass = Co-Co
gauge = 1,435 mm
trucks =
bogies =
wheeldiameter =
wheelbase =
length = 23.20 m
width =
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weight = 126 - 135 t
fueltype = Diesel
fuelc

10,000 l (Maxima 30CC)
consumption =
watercons =
enginetype = ABC 16VDZC (Maxima 40CC)
ABC 12VDZC (Maxima 30CC)
displacement =
alternator =
generator =
transmission = Voith LS 640 reU2 ("Turbosplit®")
topspeed = 120 km/h (160 km/h as option)
poweroutput = 3,600 kW (Maxima 40CC)
2,750 kW (Maxima 30CC)
tractiveeffort = 408 kN
locobrakes = Electro-pneumatic and dynamic
trainbrakes =
safety = PZB, ATB, TBL and others
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locale = Germany, Poland, Benelux and others
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disposition = In trials (2006)The Voith Maxima locomotives are a new family of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG. (short: Voith Turbo). According to Voith, the Maxima 40CC is the most powerful single-engined diesel-hydraulic locomotive in the world, rated at 3,600 kW. [http://www.voithturbo.de/applications/documents/document_files/1270_e_035109_maxima_gb_screen.pdf Voith Maxima product folder at Voith Turbo] Last modified in September 2006.]

History

In the 1990s Voith Turbo, a well-known German transmission manufacturer developed the new LS 640 reU2 transmission which was to be used in a new, high-powered locomotive series by MaK, the predecessor company of Vossloh Locomotives. MaK was counting on DB to order a large number of these new locomotives, but with German reunification and the inheritance of many DR Class 132 locomotives, DB saw no need for an order anymore. MaK stopped development on the series to focus on building medium-powered diesel and shunting locomotives.

For the time being, Voith also concentrated on supplying transmissions to MaK/Vossloh. With the emerging of an enormous number of private rail operators in the early-2000s, Voith saw a new opportunity for a new high-powered diesel locomotive series, this time to be completely built in-house. With a development period of just 500 days, the first locomotive was ready in 2006 and presented at the InnoTrans 2006 fair. [ [http://www.voith.de/press/543779.htm "Voith Turbo: Baptism of worldwide innovation - The Voith Maxima® 40 CC is the world's most powerful diesel-hydraulic locomotive"] Last modified on 2006-09-20.]

Technology

The locomotive's body consists entirely of steel. Both cabins have two seats (one for the train driver and one for a relief driver or supervisor) and have a standardised and ergonomical control desk. The cabins also have air conditioning and are equipped with all modern needs of today's operating conditions. ["Eisenbahn Kurier", February 2007. EK-Verlag, Freiburg, ISSN|0170-5288, p. 34.]

Powered by either an 16VDZC or 12VDZC engine by Belgian engine manufacturer Anglo-Belgian Corporation, rated at respectively 3,600 kW or 2,750 kW, the locomotive can reach a top speed of 120 km/h (160 km/h optionally) and has a maximal tractive effort of 519 kN. The normal tractive effort is 408 kN. The LS 640 reU2 "Turbosplit®" transmission allows for a separated traction and wheelslip control of each bogie. This is the first locomotive series equipped with this new technology. Brake equipment consists of electro-pneumatic and dynamic brakes. The smallest drivable curve radius is 80m. The locomotive can take up to 9,000 or 10,000 l of fuel, depending on the configuration. ["Eisenbahn Kurier", February 2007. EK-Verlag, Freiburg, ISSN|0170-5288, p. 36.]

The locomotives are assembled at a new plant next to the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal in Kiel. Large maintenance and overhauls will be carried out in a new central workshop in Cologne, to be operated jointly by Voith Turbo and HGK. [ [http://www.voith.com/press/547232.htm "Voith Turbo: Lokomotivtechnik and Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG to cooperate - central workshop for Voith locomotives in europe"] Last modified on 2007-09-26.]

Variants

Voith offers 2 variants of this locomotive: the most powerful version is the Maxima 40CC with 3,600 kW power, intended for freight operators with heavy trains of up to 3,000 tonnes. A less powerful version is the Maxima 30CC with 2,750 kW power, primarily intended for freight operators with trains of up to 2,500 tonnes or passenger operators.

Career and orders

After the exhibition of the demonstrator locomotive at the InnoTrans 2006 fair, it was tested on several German main lines to receive German certification. It was also tested on the Velim test ring and also went to Norway and Sweden for thermal testing. Final German certification is expected at the end of 2008. [ [http://www.ox-traction.com/news3.php Voith Maxima at the Velim test ring at ox-traction] Retrieved on 2008-09-01.]

A second demonstrator locomotive was built and equipped with Dutch and Belgian safety systems for obtaining Dutch and Belgian certification. It was tested in the first and second quarter of 2008 in the Netherlands, and is being tested in Belgium in the fourth quarter. After Dutch and Belgian certification the locomotive will be passed on to HGK for testing, where it might be replacing HGK's Class 66 locomotives.

A third and last demonstrator locomotive is being built and will be used to obtain certification in Poland, Sweden and Norway.

As of 2008, 77 locomotives have been ordered:
* ox-traction, a Dutch leasing company in which Voith holds a 44% stake, has ordered 15 Maxima 40CC and 15 Maxima 30CC locomotives, with a potential option of a further 23 Maxima locomotives. [ [http://www.x-rail.net/render.asp?o=6553&pf=true Ownership of Ox-traction at X-Rail.net] Last modified in July 2008.] [ [http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view/28/voith_maxima_und_gravita_verkauft_testfahrten_vor_abschluss.html "Voith: Maxima und Gravita verkauft - Testfahrten vor Abschluss" - Eurailpress news.] Last modified on 2007-11-15. (German)]

* hvle has ordered 2 Maxima 40CC locomotives, one to be delivered at the end of 2008 and the other in mid-2009. hvle took an option on a further 6 locomotives. [ [http://www.voith.de/press/547942.htm "Voith Turbo: Havelländische Eisenbahn AG decides in favor of hydraulic high-performance locomotives and places order for first two Voith Maxima 40CC"] Last modified on 2007-12-14.]

Criticism

In 2007 the locomotive series was awarded the Red Dot Design Award. [ [http://www.voith.de/press/545893.htm "Voith Turbo: Voith locomotive Maxima receives prestigious design award"] Last modified on 2007-04-10.] This caused much controversy among railfans, as its controversial design was not received well everywhere.

H0 Model

Remarkably, Voith signed an exclusive contract with Saxon model building company Saechsischen Waggonfabrik Stollberg to build a H0-model of both Maxima variants. All parts of the locomotive will be engineered and made in Germany. [ [http://www.waggonfabrik.eu/modell-maxima-4.html Voith Maxima: Das Modell – Realisierung 2008] Retrieved on 2008-09-01.]

References

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