DBAG class 210, 215 - 218, 219 old
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This series, starting with the V 160 (later class 216) prototypes, is still considered Germany's backbone of diesel traction.
Class 216: The first V 160
The first post-WWII diesel heavy-duty locomotives such as DBAG class 220 old, 221 had two engines of 800/980 kW each (derived from smaller diesel locomotives as V 100 class). That concept proved pretty expensive in maintenance, therefore in the mid-1950's construction began for a medium-duty single engine locomotive. As did, all German diesel locomotives built by the Bundesbahn (FRG state railway) the V 160 class had eight wheels.
In 1960 the first of ten prototypes with one 1,320 kW engine were delivered. 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 - West German state railway did not use any diesel-electric locomotives at all, unlike East German state railway). From 1963 to 1969 another 214 class 216 locomotives where delivered. They where 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 - please also 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 where largely unchanged, but the length was increased by 400 mm in order to make later conversion to class 218 possible. A total of 150 locomotives was 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 production of electricity was derived as class 217. Only 15 of these units where produced, as again two engines did not really prove economically convincing. Maximum speed was 140 km/h, power at 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 accepted for rail service. Power for supply of electricity by generator could be taken directly from this stronger main enginge. The result was class 218, with some 410 units built between 1971 and 1979 the backbone of diesel traction at Deutsche Bahn AG. Class 218 locomotives where used for any type of train, from intercity trains to heavy freigth trains. Where necessary double or triple traction was possible. Maximum speed was 140 km/h (100 km/h in low gear). All locomotives where equipped with an hydraulic braking system.
Some kind of maverick was the class 210 with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Basicly a class 218, eight class 210 units where in addition 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. After one turbine blew and caught fire, all where removed and the class 210 units where renumbered as class 218.9.
Outlook
Most class 216 and class 217 units are no longer in service. Some where reconstructed and now serve private railway companies. It has not been decided yet how to replace the ageing 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 now are numbered as class 218.8.
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