- China Railways SS8
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SS8 Power type Electric Builder Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works Model SS8 Build date 1994 – UIC classification Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Length 17,516 mm (57 ft 5.6 in) Locomotive weight 88 tonnes (87 long tons; 97 short tons) Electric system 25 kV 50 Hz AC Current collection
methodOverhead lines Power output 3,600 kW (4,830 hp) Tractive effort 208 kN (46,760 lbf) starting
126 kN (28,330 lbf) continuous at 100 km/h (62 mph)Locomotive brakes Air and dynamic The SS8 is a 25kV 50 Hz AC electric locomotive used on the Peoples' Republic of China's national railway system. The only route they were used on was the Jingguang line, the railway line linking Beijing West Railway Station with Guangzhou, Guangdong.
The SS8 is based on its predecessor, the SS5, and was developed and built by CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works. A total of 245 (0001–0243, 2001–2002)[citation needed] SS8s have been built since 1994. Batch production commenced in 1997.
On June 24, 1998, the SS8 broke the Chinese rail speed record by achieving a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) on a test run between Xuchang and Xiaoshangqiao. The locomotive used was fleet number 0001.
Allowance of KCR
When the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway was electrified, China Railway extended Through Trains into Hong Kong via KCR East Rail. These trains initially had an SS8 locomotive, however, their pantographs are considered harmful to KCR's catenary. So for a long time, DF11 locomotive were used. After KCR provided their technical requirements of HK-compliance pantographs to China Railway, the company adapted some ot their SS8's in order to meet the pantograph requirements. As of March 2010, the SS8 is still the only allowed China Railway electric locomotive in Hong Kong.
References
Locomotives of China
Steam Diesel Diesel hydraulicDiesel electricElectric DC motorAC motorList of locomotives in China • Rail transport in the People's Republic of China • China Railways • Locomotive manufacturersCategories:- 25 kV AC locomotives
- Bo-Bo locomotives
- Electric locomotives of the People's Republic of China
- Zhuzhou locomotives
- Railway locomotives introduced in 1994
- Electric locomotive stubs
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