DBAG Class 210, 215 - 218, 219 old

The Baureihen 210, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219 of Deutsche Bundesbahn (and later, Deutsche Bahn)) are a class of diesel locomotives commonly known as the V-160 family (after the Baureihe 216's pre-1968 class number). Despite their age, they are still the backbone of locomotive diesel traction in Germany since the 1990s, along with the Class 232 locomotives of the former Deutsche Reichsbahn.

Class 216: The first V 160

The first post-WWII diesel heavy-duty locomotives, such as the DB class V 200, had two engines of 800/980 kW each. That concept proved very expensive in maintenance; therefore, in the mid-1950s, construction began for a medium-duty single engine locomotive. As with all German diesel locomotives built by the Bundesbahn (FRG state railway), the V-160 class had eight wheels.

In 1960, the first production run of ten units was manufactured, each with one 1,320 kW engine. Maximum speed was 120 km/h (for freight service 80 km/h with a different gear); transmission was hydraulic (technically somewhat more demanding than diesel-electric transmission, but with the advantage of lower weight). From 1963 to 1969, two-hundred and fourteen class 216 locomotives were manufactured. They were used both for passenger and freight service. Heating for passenger coaches was made available by a steam boiler.

Derived from class 216 was one single unit with an additional gas turbine: class 219 old (the class number after reunification was used again for East German state railway's class 119 ("see overview of numbering scheme").

Classes 215 and 217

From the original class 216, the class 215 was derived, with an increased speed of 140 km/h (slow gear for freight trains at 100 km/h). The other parameters were largely unchanged, but the length was increased by 400 mm in order to make a later conversion to class 218 possible. A total of 150 units of this class were produced. Those still in service were transferred to DB Cargo, and now are numbered as class 225.

As the heating of passenger cars was changing from steam to electricity, another variant with an additional auxiliary engine for electrical production was derived, the class 217. Only 15 of these units were produced, as again two engines did not really prove to be cost efficient. Maximum speed was 140 km/h and the power output was 1,320 kW plus auxiliary engine.

Classes 218 and 210

After some testing in class 215 units, a stronger engine with 1,840 kW (later increased to 2,060 kW) was approved for rail service. Power for supply of electricity by generator could be taken directly from this stronger main engine. The result was class 218, with some 410 units built between 1971 and 1979; these became the backbone of diesel traction at Deutsche Bahn AG. Class 218 locomotives were used for any type of train, from intercity trains to heavy freight trains. Where necessary, double or triple traction was possible. Maximum speed was 140 km/h (100 km/h in low gear) and all locomotives were equipped with a hydraulic braking system.

A faster variation was the class 210, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Basically a class 218, eight class 210 units were equipped with a gas turbine used as a booster. Unfortunately the gas turbines did not cope well with the often changing power requirements of rail services, and after one turbine blew and caught fire, all were removed and the class 210 units were renumbered as class 218.9.

Outlook

Most class 215 and class 216 units are no longer in service, although some were reconstructed and now serve private railway companies. The few class 217 prototypes are still used for freight trains around Muehldorf. It has not been decided yet how to replace the aging class 215 and class 218 units. However, an ever increasing number of passenger trains are being changed from locomotive / passenger coach type to modern DMU units, so the class 218's role in passenger service is decreasing. In freight service, former East German class 232 units have taken over many trains. Nevertheless, some class 218 units are refitted and are now numbered as class 218.8.

External links

* [http://web1.berlin089.server4free.de/v160/ Die V160-Familie I]
* [http://www.deutsche-lokomotiven.de/v160/ Die V160-Familie II]
* [http://epoche-3.de/v160.php Die V160-Familie III]
* [http://www.db-loks.de/tfz/218.html Die V160-Familie IV]