PKP class SP32

Infobox Locomotive
name = SP32
powertype = Diesel-electric


caption =
builder = flagicon|ROM FAUR
serialnumber =
buildmodel =
builddate = 1985 – 1991
totalproduction = 150
whytetype =
aarwheels =
uicclass = Bo-Bo
gauge = 1435 mm
bogies = 2
leadingsize =
driversize =
wheeldiameter = 1100 mm
trailingsize =
wheelbase =
length = 16 000 mm
width = 3 100 mm
height = 4 220 mm
framesize =
weightondrivers = 181,42 kN
weight = 74 t
locotenderweight =
fueltype = diesel
fuelc

tenderc

consumption =
watercons =
electricsystem =
collectionmethod =
primemover = M820SR
12V396TC12
12V396TC14
enginetype = four-stroke
tractionmotors = MCT 542
aspiration =
displacement =
boiler =
boilerpressure =
feedwaterheater =
firearea =
tubearea =
fluearea =
tubesandflues =
fireboxarea =
totalsurface =
superheatertype =
superheaterarea =
cylindercount =
cylindersize =
rearcylindersize =
hpcylindersize =
lpcylindersize =
valvegear =
transmission = electrical
topspeed = 100 km/h
poweroutput =
tractiveeffort = 957 Hp
1015 Hp
factorofadhesion =
locobrakes = Oerlikon
trainbrakes =
safety =
railroad = PKP
railroadclass = flagicon|POL SP32
numinclass = 150
roadnumber =
officialname =
nicknames = Odkurzacz
locale =
deliverydate = 1985
firstrundate =
lastrundate =
retiredate =
restoredate =
scrapdate =
currentowner =
disposition =|

SP32 is a Romanian series of diesel passenger locomotives used by PKP. [cite web|url=http://www.kolej.pl/jareks/wtpkp/sp32.htm|title=Chester Home Page|author=Jarek D. Stwarz|date=1997-2002|accessdate=2007-10-21]

History

The start of the 1980s was the dawn of Polish steam locomotives era. New diesel locomotives were needed for pulling passenger trains. [cite web|url=http://www.kmk.kkozle.pl/readarticle.php?article_id=15|title=Regionalny Portal Kolejowy|author=|date=2006-2007|accessdate=2007-10-21] Locomotives that were able to heat carriages with electrical systems were most in demand. [cite web|url=http://www.kolej.pl/jareks/wtpkp/sp32.htm|title=Chester Home Page|author=Jarek D. Stwarz|date=1997-2002|accessdate=2007-10-21] Due to an economic crisis within Poland, it was impossible to start local production, so PKP decided to buy 200 locomotives produced in FAUR works from Bukarest, Romania. [cite web|url=http://www.kolej.pl/jareks/wtpkp/sp32.htm|title=Chester Home Page|author=Jarek D. Stwarz|date=1997-2002|accessdate=2007-10-21] This company had previously produced Lxd2 and MBxd2 narrow gauge locomotives for PKP. [cite web|url=http://zalesie.eu.org/~gacka/serwis_kolejowy/|title=Serwis Kolejowy|author=Przemysław Gołembiecki, Tomasz Gacki|date=2003|accessdate=2007-10-21]

First two locomotives began to work for PKP in 1985 and received the SP49 designation. Different series numbers were given as those locomotives were supposed to work in multiple steering. As other engines lacked that device, all locomotives were renamed to SP32-001 and 002. [cite web|url=http://www.bluefish.foxnet.pl/Tabor/Spalinowe/SP49/SP49.html|title=Lokomotywa pasażerska serii SP49|author=|date=|accessdate=2007-10-21] Units were appointed to the Jasło, Nysa, Siedlce, and Zamość depots. The very first month of service revealed a series of failures that were reported back to the producer. Changes introduced afterwards did not limit the breakdowns. The most serious problems included failures of the diesel engines, compressors, and alternators. Additionally, their power proved to be insufficient, especially during winter when heating the carriages. [cite web|url=http://www.kolej.pl/jareks/wtpkp/sp32.htm|title=Chester Home Page|author=Jarek D. Stwarz|date=1997-2002|accessdate=2007-10-21]

These problems caused an end of their importation in 1991, after a total of 150 units. The last two locomotives (151 and 152) exchanged prototypes and their numbers were changed to 001 and 002. As the whole series had been far too young to be withdrawn, several attempts to upgrade the units were started. New diesel engines (12V396TC12 licensed by MTU) had the same power as previous ones, but were more reliable. They were installed in the following units: 073, 096, 147, 148, and 149.

In 2000, a more complex modernization of the SP32 series began. Locomotives were given new 12V396TC14 diesel engines with an electronic regulator produced by MTU, on-board diagnostics system, more convenient dashboards, fire extinguishing installation, and new lights. The leasing company that now owns and lends PKP modernized locomotives funded the modernization. Units with all those improvements were numbered from 201 to 210. Presently, only those locomotives are in use, with the rest remaining as reserve. About one-third of the locomotives have been scrapped. [cite web|url=http://zalesie.eu.org/~gacka/serwis_kolejowy/|title=Serwis Kolejowy|author=Przemysław Gołembiecki, Tomasz Gacki|date=2003|accessdate=2007-10-21]

Technical data

SP32 is a Bo-Bo locomotive as it runs on two bogies, each equipped with two axles. Each axle is propelled separately by one traction motor. Power from diesel engine to traction motors is delivered through electrical transmission. The electric heating system is powered by a 250 kW alternator that allows the locomotive to heat six carriages (assuming 40 kW power consumption per carriage). During summer months all power from heating is transferred to traction motors, thus increasing tractive effort. [cite web|url=http://www.kolej.pl/jareks/wtpkp/sp32.htm|title=Chester Home Page|author=Jarek D. Stwarz|date=1997-2002|accessdate=2007-10-23] Traction motors, bogies, transmissions, and compressor, as well as several different parts are similar to those used in ST43 locomotive.

SP32 has a non-typical for Polish passenger locomotives box construction. It has only one crew compartment, located approximately two-thirds of way down the locomotive. Thanks to a replaceable dashboard, driving in both directions is comfortable. The relatively low weight this locomotive puts on rails allows it to run on tracks laid on unstable surfaces. [cite web|url=http://zalesie.eu.org/~gacka/serwis_kolejowy/|title=Serwis Kolejowy|author=Przemysław Gołembiecki, Tomasz Gacki|date=2003|accessdate=2007-10-23]

Nicknames

Odkurzacz (En.: "Vacuum cleaner") [cite web|url=http://cupik.podkarpackakolej.net/galeria/spal/sp32/sp32.htm|title=Kolejowa strona MZK z Podkarpacia|author=Wojciech Cupiał|date=|accessdate=2007-10-21]

External links

* [http://www.faur.ro/ FAUR S.A. official website] - SP32 locomotive's producer
* [http://www.kolej.shentel.pl/Strony/SP32/SP32.htm www.kolej.shentel.pl] - Pictures of SP32 locomotives
* [http://transport.asi.pwr.wroc.pl/0.1A/zdjecia.php?kategoria=1&seria=55 Transport Photogallery] - Pictures of SP32 locomotives
* [http://www.kolej.pl/serwis/galeria/galeriats/sp32.php Serwis Kolejowy - galeria trakcji spalinowej] - Pictures of SP32 locomotives
* [http://stud.pam.szczecin.pl/~wizard/search.php?search_keywords=SP32&sessionid=52 world rail photo] - Pictures of SP32 locomotives

Resource