Voith Gravita

Voith Gravita family
Gravita 10BB
Power type	Diesel-hydraulic
Builder	Voith Turbo
UIC classification	5B "B" 5C "C" 10BB, 15BB, 20BB "B-B" [1]
Gauge	1,435 mm
Length	5B ~10m 5C ~11m 10BB ~15.7m 15BB ~16.9m 20BB ~18.5m[1]
Locomotive weight	5B 40-45 tonnes 5C 60-67.5 tonnes 10BB 76-100 tonnes 15BB 80-90 tonnes 20BB 84-88 tonnes[1]
Fuel type	Diesel
Fuel capacity	5B 2000l 5C 2500l 10BB 3300l 15BB 5000l 20BB 6000l[1]
Top speed	5B, 5C 80km/h 10BB, 15BB 100km/h 20BB 120 km/h[1]
Power output	5B 400kW 5C 700kW 10BB 1200kW 15BB 1800kW 20BB 2200kW[1]
Tractive effort	Maximum tractive effort at μ=0.42: 5B 165-185kN 5C 247-289kN 10BB 313-412kN 15BB 330-317kN 20BB 346-363kN [1] Practical starting tractive effort at μ=0.33: 5B 129-146kN 5C 194-219kN 10BB 246-337kN 15BB 259-291kN 20BB 272-285kN[1]
Official name	Gravita
Locale	Germany

The Voith Gravita locomotives are a new family of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG.. Available in a range of configurations from 2 to 4 axle they are designed for shunting and light and medium freight operations.^[2]

The 10BB version has been chosen by Deutsche Bahn as a replacement for its DB Class 290 locomotives with an order of 130 locos in 2008.^[3][4]

History

Voith, a well known manufacture of hydraulic transmissions and other locomotive components entered the locomotive building business in 2006 with the launch of the Voith Maxima locomotives at InnoTrans. The Gravita series was launched at the 2008 InnoTrans event.^[5] For the production of these locomotives a new plant has been constructed in Kiel, a city already known for locomotive production.

The Gravita 15BB variant was presented at InnoTrans 2010.^[6][7]

Inside drivers cabin of Voith Gravita loco

Technology

Key features of this series are large fuel tanks, modular construction (allowing interchangeability of some parts between different classes), multi-traction (consisting) with other Voith locomotives, manual or remote operation, and a centrally located air conditioned drivers cabin.^[8]

The locomotives meet requirements for noise (TSI) and exhaust gas emission UIC II/EU IIIA (see International Union of Railways and European emission standards)

Variants

Voith offers 5 variants of this locomotive, ranging from a light shunter to a medium power locomotive. Some technical specifications are presented above (in the 'infobox'), the purpose of use is given below.^[1]

• 20BB Designed for regional and cross border traffic
• 15BB Designed for heavy shunting as well as mainline use
• 10BB Shunting and freight - minimalist design for heavy industrial operation
• 5C Heavy shunting and light freight
• 5B Light shunter

Servicing

Under an agreement with Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln (HGK) a workshop for servicing Voith locomotives has been established at Brühl-Vochem near Köln.^[9]

Career and orders

On 23 September 2008 it was announced that Deutsche Bahn had placed a €250 million order for 130 of the 10BB variant to be operated by its DB Schenker) subsidiary.^[3][4] The 1000 kW locos will have engines supplied by MTU, and are intended to replace the well known DB Class V 90 (aka DBAG Class 290^[10]); the new reporting number for this class of locomotive will be 260^[11]

10BB and 15BB type locomotives were initially offered via lease from Ox-Traction;^[9][12] the company ceased trading in August 2010.^[13]

Swiss companies Stahl Gerlafingen and Panlog AG took delivery of their Gravita 10BB locomotives in March 2010. Stahl Gerlafingen operates 2 locos, Panlog AG 3 locos.^[14]

The first 3 built locomotives were sold to leasing company Northrail and painted in orange livery in mid-2010.^[15] Voith has 5 additional leasing/stock locomotives which are being tested by different rail operators.^[14][15][16]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "Voith Gravita product folder" (pdf). Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik. August 2010. http://voithturbo.com/sys/php/docdb_stream.php?pk=3503. Retrieved 2011-01-18. 
2. ^ Voith Turbo Becomes Systems Supplier Thanks to Maxima and Gravita
3. ^ ^{a b} DB German Railways Orders 130 Diesel Locomotives from Voith, Voith press release, 2008-09-23
4. ^ ^{a b} DB announces €250m Voith loco order, Railway Gazette International, 2008-09-23
5. ^ Voith Turbo adds Gravitas, Railway Gazette International, 2008-09-23
6. ^ "Voith Turbo Presents New Locomotive" (Press release). Voith Turbo. 21 September 2010. http://www.voith.com/press/559836.htm. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
7. ^ "Fahrzeugportrait Voith L04-15001" (in German). www.loks-aus-kiel.de. http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1409104&lang=1&id=64807&action=portrait. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
8. ^ Highlights of the Gravita, Voith
9. ^ ^{a b} Maxima locomotive finds a new home, Railway Gazette International, 2007-11-09
10. ^ See DB locomotive classification for details of the classification change that took place in 1968
11. ^ Tognum receives order for 130 engines for new Voith loco Gravita 10BB, Tognum press release 2008-10-07
12. ^ "Locomotives@Ox-traction", www.ox-traction.com (Ox-Traction), archived from the original on 27 September 2008, http://web.archive.org/web/20080927054749/http://www.ox-traction.com/locomotives.php 
13. ^ Ox-traction (August 2010). "Ox-traction N.V. are ending their business activities.". http://www.ox-traction.com/. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
14. ^ ^{a b} www.loks-aus-kiel.de. "Voith Gravita" (in German). http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1403410&lang=1. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
15. ^ ^{a b} Eurailpress.de (12 November 2010). "Gravita 10 BB-Fertigung – aktueller Stand" (in German). DVV Media Group GmbH. http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view//gravita-10-bb-fertigung-aktueller-stand.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
16. ^ Eurailpress.de (30 November 2010). "Güterbahnen testen Voith-Loks" (in German). DVV Media Group GmbH. http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view//gueterbahnen-testen-voith-loks.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 

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