Henschel-BBC DE2500

DB Class 202
DB 202 002
Power type	Diesel-Electric
Builder	Henschel, Brown, Boveri & Cie, MTU[disambiguation needed ]
Serial number	202 002, 003, 004
Build date	1971; 1974
Total produced	3 prototypes
UIC classification	B'B' (003), C'C' (002, 004)
Gauge	1435 mm
Wheel diameter	1100 mm
Length	1800 mm
Width	3070 mm
Height	4280 mm
Locomotive weight	80t
Fuel type	diesel
Electric system	3-phase rotary current
Prime mover	V12 diesel, (Henschel or MTU)
Aspiration	turbocharged
Traction motors	asynchronous rotary current
Multiple working	yes
Top speed	120 kmh (004) / 140 kmh (002, 003) / 250 kmh (003 UmAn version)
Power output	2500 hp
Tractive effort	starting : 278 (all), 175 (UmAn) continuous : 200 (all), 160 (UmAn)
Locomotive brakes	disc brakes, generator brake
Train brakes	triple-release airbrakes
Safety systems	SiFa, Indusi
Delivered	1971, 1974
First run	1971
Current owner	all in German museums

The DB Class 202, also commonly referred to under its manufacturers' designation Henschel-BBC DE2500, since it was only in experimental use and never purchased by the DB, is a class of diesel-electric locomotives designed for use on main and secondary lines for both passenger and freight trains.

One unit was converted to 1500V DC overhead electric operation, and used by Nederlandse Spoorwegen, as NS Class 1600P.

History

Streamlined DB 202 003

The class represents a major milestone in the German locomotive development, since in these locomotives three phase asynchronous electric traction was first applied in a mainline diesel-electric locomotive.

The DE2500 featured a light-weight and completely modular construction, which allowed the quick and easy exchange of whole sections of the locomotive, such as the prime mover, generator or alternator sections. It was both capable of driving on C'C' bogies (002, 004) as well as B'B' bogies (003). All the components of the electric sections - from generator to traction motors - were built to the latest state of the art featuring brushless, collectorless and nearly contactless operation, which resulted in long service intervals and high reliability.

The locomotives were extensively tested by the Deutsche Bundesbahn on its lines throughout Western Germany, starting in 1971 through the mid-1980s. They were stationed at Bw Mannheim with the following DB numbers:

• 202 002-2 (white)
• 202 003-0 (orange, later UmAn paint scheme)
• 202 004-8 (blue)

Conversion to electric locomotive

During the mid-1970s, one machine was converted for the Dutch railways (NS) into an all-electric locomotive for 1500 V DC-overheadwire. It was painted in the Dutch yellow scheme, assigned the number 1600P and given the logos of the Dutch railways. A pantograph for the collection of the current from the overhead wire was installed, the diesel prime mover and the generator section were removed and replaced with ballast weight. The NS was very pleased with the results of the test cycles, but ultimately chose to acquire its serial-production Class 1600 from French manufacturers, based on the BB 7200, for both budget and delivery time considerations.

Models

An H0 scale model engine has been made of the BR 202 by the German company Heris.

Literature

• Matthias Maier: Diesellokomotiven deutscher Eisenbahnen. alba, Düsseldorf 19 November 2011, ISBN 3-87094-155-3. 
• Markus Hehl: Eisenbahn-Kurier Special. Deutsche Diesellokomotiven No. 72, EK-Verlag, Freiburg. 
• Karl Gerhard Baur: Die Geschichte der Drehstromlokomotiven. EK-Verlag, Freiburg, 2005. ISBN 3-88255-146-1
• BBC Asynchronous motor drive for Diesel locomotives Order No. D VK 40810 E
• Horst J. Obermayer: Diesellokomotiven - Mit Kleinlokomotiven, Stuttgart 1972.