DB Class 120

Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureihe 120
DB electric locomotive 120 142 arriving at Stuttgart main station with train number IR 2565, 1995-08-11
Power type	Electric
Builder	BBC, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp
Build date	1979–1980 (120.0) 1987–1989 (120.1)
Total produced	65
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Length	19.20 m (63 ft 0 in)
Locomotive weight	84.0 tonnes (82.7 long tons; 92.6 short tons)
Traction motors	Four
Top speed	200 km/h (124 mph)
Power output	5,600 kW (7,500 hp)
Tractive effort	340 kN (76,000 lbf)
Locomotive brakes	KE-GPR, electric brakes
Train brakes	Air
Safety systems	Sifa, Indusi
Career	Deutsche Bundesbahn Deutsche Bahn AG
Class	120
Disposition	Still in active service

The DB Baureihe 120 is a class of electric locomotives operated by DB Fernverkehr in Germany.

Background and design

The locomotives' prototypes, delivered in 1979 (Mark 120.0), were one of the first electric locomotives with three-phase motors. They were based on experiences made in the 1970s with diesel-electric test platforms (Mark DE 2500/ DB Mark 202). In Norway, a new four-axle Locomotive, Mark El-17, was launched during 1983 with top speeds up to 93 mph.

The design was intended to be the first truly universal locomotive, capable of pulling fast passenger trains as well as heavy freight trains. While the electric equipment exceeded expectations, the mechanical part suffered from its lightweight construction necessitated by the heavy electronics of the time.

After extensive tests, a series of 60 locomotives (Mark 120.1) were ordered in 1984 and delivered in 1986-1988. Original plans to build up to 2,000 machines were ultimately ended by DB's privatisation. The 120s went to DB Fernverkehr, the other divisions of Deutsche Bahn ordered locomotives that featured technologies from the 120, but were not direct successors.

Technical data 120

Sortable table

	120.0	120.1
General
Operator	DB	=>
Manufacturing year	1979-19xx	1986-1988
Number of manuf.	5	60
Supplier mechanical part	Henschel, Krauss Maffei, Krupp	=>
Supplier electrical part	BBC, Siemens, AEG	=>
Axle arr	Bo-Bo	=>
Weight	84,0 t	=>
Axle load	21,0 t	=>
Max tractive eff	290/340 kN	340 kN
Max speed	280 km/h	200 km/h
Body
Length	19.200 mm	=>
Bogie distance	10.200 mm	=>
Height over pantograph	4.375 mm	=>
Body width	3.000 mm	=>
Coupling	buffer	=>
Surface	smooth steelsheet	=>
Colour	wine-red beige	red, white
Bogies
Track width	1.435 mm	=>
Axle distance	2.800 mm	=>
Wheel diameter,new	1.250 mm	=>
Primary suspension	coil	=>
Secondary suspension	coil	=>
Brake	shoe, reostatic, regenerative	shoe, regenerative
Bogie Weight	15,96 t	=>
Min hor radius	100 m	=>
Electrical equipment
Catenary voltage	15 kV	=>
Catenary frequency	16 2/3 Hz	=>
Max cont power	4,4 MW	=>
Traction motor	BQg 4843	=>
Max power trainheating	900 kW	=>

Gallery

• 

  120 143 in Dresden

• 

  120 002 in Würzburg 1984

• 

  DB-AG BR 120 (DB Systemtechnik), Summer 2006 in Dresden Main Station

• 

  120 134 arrives at Köln Hbf

• 

  120 502 leaves Köln Hbf on a Bahntechnik train.