MÁV Class V43

Class V43
MÁV Class V43 with Intercity train in Hungary
Power type	Electric locomotive
Builder	Ganz
Build date	1963-1982
Total produced	379
UIC classification	B'B'
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Length	15700 mm
Locomotive weight	80 t
Traction motors	2
Top speed	130 km/h
Power output	2200 kW
Safety systems	EVM

The MÁV Class V43 is a Hungarian-built electric locomotive, with a characteristic box-like appearance. It was designed and prototyped in the early 1960s, by a German consortium of 25kV/50Hz AC rail electrification expert companies (Siemens, Thyssen-Krupp and seven smaller firms) commissioned by the Hungarian government.

It was further developed, debugged and series produced in the Ganz factory and operated by MÁV in Hungary. A total of 379 locomotives were built between 1963 and 1982 to replace the MÁV Class V40 and MÁV Class V60, as well as the widespread Class 424 steam locomotives. Nickname of V43 is Szili (because it has silicon Semiconductor).

The V43 is the still the main workhorse for electric traction in Hungary. Its early generation semiconductor technology is now considered obsolete, but the type has good efficiency for both freight and passenger traction. The good efficiency is a result of a technical deficiency: the Hungarian series produced V43 examples are two tons overweight compared the German prototype owing to steel frame manufacturing differences.

This requires the locomotives to constantly work near the edge of their power reserve when pulling and efficiency is coincidentally the highest in that region. Extensive preventive maintenance procedures developed by MÁV depots allowed the V43 to serve 40+ years reliably, despite of being maxed out most of the time.

The V43 will be gradually replaced in MÁV service by modern Siemens Taurus locomotives since the early 2000s, but the high price of imports means only a few dozen Taurus could be acquired so far and it may take until 2025 before the entire V43 class is retired. Meanwhile a part of the fleet has received minimal upgrades to comply with EUROFIMA requirements and about half of all V43s are now equipped by modern "semi-pantograph" type catenary current collectors.