Jernbanenyheder III. kvartal 2002

• Denmark: DSB MZ on passenger workings - 185 073 testings in Denmark - More double stock coaches arrived - New DSB MQ in use - HFHJ steel freights ended - OHJ school trains - DSB plan to buy new DMU's refused - IKEA train breakdowns - DSB ME problems - New MQ arrived - IKEA rescues broken down DSB ME - TraXion on hold - 2nd class MH for CMP - S-tog for music festival - Double stock coaches on delivery for DSB - MX Special to Borris - Last class MH to go - ME repaintings
  
• Austria: 60 class 2070 delivered - ÖBB uses option for another 30 class 2070
• Belgium: Vennbahn to end - SNCB class 22 massive withdrawals
• Czech Republic: Connex takes over Zeleznice Desná
• Finland: New Pendolino trainsets - VR orders 20 EMU's
• Germany: Baureihe 225 update - V170 in Haldensleben - Freight train collision in Bad Münder - Class 145's on RegionalExpress - Last green class 150 stored - EBG Taurus on Malmö night train - 101 in Legoland advertising livery - Rail4Chem takes over Hoyer Railserv - PEG E 94 052 in use - Creme/red 218 217 repainted - VSFT announces new locos for Innotrans - Baureihe 233 - Class 146.1 - First class 189 on testings in Czech Republic
• Hungary:
More 1047's delivered
• Luxemburg:
Former DSB shunters to CFL - Class 3600 soldiers on
• Netherlands: Locos from Railion to NS Reizingers
• Norway: Last Di4 refurbished in Denmark
• Poland: ST 44 on passenger workings
• Spain: RENFE class 333 rebuildings
• Sweden: G2000 on testings for Green Cargo - DB 185 on testings in Sweden - DSB and Tågkompaniet to run Roslagsbanan - TÅGAB TMY 105 on fire - Tågkompagniet loses traffic to Connex
• Switzerland:
SBB Cargo orders another 40 class Re 482 - BLS orders 10 class 485 - New VSFT diesels ordered by SBB - Swiss Rail Cargo Köln GmbH

News updated 17. September 2002

• If You have any railway related news or photos on topical subjects you'd like to share, don't hesitate to mail me!
  
  

2002: I - II
2001: I - II - III - IV
2000: I - II - III - IV
1998-1999

DSB MZ on passenger workings: Following the problems with reliability of class ME, DSB MZ 1406 has been used to resque broken down regional trains around Sjælland and Falster during the summer, as empty stock movings. However, this week MZ 1406 had the honors to work passenger trains, when it was working RØ 1221 (Copenhagen to Nykøbing F.) and RØ 4264 (Nykøbing F. to Copenhagen) on wed, thu and fri 11.-13. September 2002. Also MZ 1425 has been taken into use again and was used to resque broken down ME 1502 on friday 13. (!) September 2002. Also Railion MZ's has helped moving broken down ME's a couple of times.

The ME's are causing continuing problems due to change to change of fuel type. Testings has not yet solved the problems (13. September 2002).

185 073 testings in Denmark: Following testings in Sweden last week, DB 185 073-4 was tested in Denmark this week. On the morning of 10. September 2002 the loco was standing in Vojens with severeal DSB-measurement coaches and 90 86 00-21 135-7 alias DSB MY 1135. On 8.26 the train departured southwards (with the 185 powering) and ran test trains on the Tinglev to Sønderborg branch. In the afternoon the loco was standing in Rødekro (13. September 2002).

More double stock coaches arrived: Another 5 double stock coaches arrived in Denmark on 11. September 2002, numbers ABs 7904, B 7701, B 7703, Bk 7803 and Bk 7805. Loco driver education has started around Roskilde and Næstved this week, however the two first delivered coaches has been attacked by grafitti several times already, delaying the inaguration of the use of double stock on the Nordvestbanen to Holbæk and Kalundborg. Later on the new stock will also be used on the Sydbanen to Nykøbing F. and on the friday/sunday only IR's between Copenhagen and Århus (13. September 2002, sources DSB and others).

New DSB MQ in use: First DSB class MQ of the new batch, DSB MQ 4111 + 4911, was taken into use on the Svendborg branch from 6. September 2002 (6. September 2002).

Photo from Ringe on 11. September 2002 added 13. September 2002.

HFHJ steel freights ended: The regular freight trains of Frederiksværkbanen ended on 22. August 2002, when HFHJ MX 17 ran GF 91659 from Frederiksværk to Tåstrup. The train consisted of 13 wagons, of which only 4 was loaded with the last shipments of steel from the Danstål steel recycling plant in Frederiksværk, which went bankrupt in June. The traffic only continued in order to empty the store from the plant. The wagons where decorated with small danish flags (6. September 2002).

OHJ school trains: The trains 21 and 308 (see the OHJ page) has been worked by the leased ØSJS MX-loco during the summer (due to lack of Lynette-DMU's), but is currently run by Lynette stock as the coaches used for the trains are being overhauled (11. August 2002).

The leased ØSJS MX 41 is currently working four trains on OHJ, while coach OHJ BDn 296 is in the workshop. The trains consists of ØSJS MX 41 + Bf 288 + BDn 297 + Bns 270 (Bns 270 is a driving trailer).
The following trains are worked by the Nohab loco:

Train no.              5       21
Holbæk              7.07    15.45
Nykøbing S.         8.07    16.47



Train no.            304        8  
Nykøbing S.         5.53     8.32
Holbæk              6.24     9.32

(6. September 2002).

DSB plan to buy new DMU's refused: DSB plans for buying 25 new DMU's for medium distance services has been denied by the danish Ministry of Transport. The cost of the 25 two-car DMU's would have been 7-800 mio. d.kr. and should have been derived from the IC/4 currently under construction by Ansaldo. Planned designation should have been class MP/FP. Reason should be, that the Ministry of Transport will not allow new vehicles for DSB, while more lines are to be put out for tenders (2. August 2002).

IKEA train breakdowns: The past week the IKEA-train had problems with several delayed or cancelled trains. Reason was ATC-failure on TGOJ T66 714, the only locomotive working the train in Sweden and Denmark. On 30. July 2002 GF 46712 was cancelled and Railion EG 3106 worked the train including the T 66 from Padborg to Malmö in a DanLink freight (2. August 2002).

DSB ME problems: The 37 class ME diesel locos are currently troubled by daily breakdowns and up to 14 locos in the workshop at one day in the past week. The locos where build 1982-1985 so they are only around 20 years old. Change of diesel type should be one of the reasons for the ongoing troubles (2. August 2002).

New MQ arrived: The first of the new class MQ "Desiro" DMU's for the Odense-Svendborg branch arrived in Fredericia on the evening of 26. July on train M 6104 from Padborg. 12 new DMU's will replace the MR/MRD and the 3 MQ's currently working on the line. The new units are painted in the new blue/grey livery also used on the double deck stock (26. July 2002, source John Nissen).

The new Desiro is numbered DSB MQ 4111 - 4911. The unit was tested on the Odense-Svendborg line on the evening of 30. July 2002 in train M 8262 (Odense-Svendborg). From Fredericia to Odense it was dragged by a MR/MRD-unit; the MQ's are still not allowed for ATC-lines.

The 3 original MQ's will probably be transferred to the Århus-Grenå line when enough of the new Desiros has been delivered (2. August 2002).

IKEA rescues broken down DSB ME: On 18. July 2002 DSB ME 1506 broke down with RØ 4108 Ringsted to Copenhagen shortly after departure from Ringsted. The following train, the IKEA-train GF 46712 hauled by TGOJ T 66 714 was uncoupled from its wagons in Ringsted and then pushed the ME+coaches back to Ringsted. The IKEA-train departed about an hour late, while ME 1506 was later taken to Copenhagen by another ME (26. July 2002).

TraXion on hold: Due to lack of insurance, TraXion is not allowed to operate trains on Banestyrelsen track at the moment. However, the involvement in the operation of the IKEA-trains is not affected by this (17. July 2002).

Insurance problems seems to have been solved and TraXion is working specials again. On 29. July 2002 TRX MY 1156 + 1150 worked a train from Padborg to Viborg and return to Bramming for Banestyrelsen (2. August 2002).

Capital for the future operation of TraXion has been raised by selling the MY's to a (to me unknown) foreign operator, from where the locos has been leased back! Coming works for TraXion includes maintanence trains on the west coast of Jylland (11. August 2002).

2nd class MH for CMP: CMP (Copenhagen Malmö Port) (formerly known as Københavns Frihavn or Københavns Frihavn og Stevedore on the Rail-O-Rama pages) has bought DSB MH 378 for shunting duties in the harbour. Former DSB MH 374 has allready been in use since 1999. One of the old shunting tractors, probably the Sentinel, will be preserved by a danish railway club. CMP on the Internet (17. July 2002).

S-tog for music festival: DSB FS 7306, the last built S-tog of the second generation, will be used as a bar for "VOICE PARTY TRAIN" on the Skanderborg Music Festival on 8-11. August 2002. It was transferred to Skanderborg on 11. July 2002. The wagon will be cut in halves (17. July 2002, source smukfest.dk and others).

Double stock coaches on delivery for DSB: The first of 67 double stock coaches for use on Sjælland (see news 2002/I) has arrived in Denmark. The new driving trailers will be known as class ABs, the first two units are numbered ABs 7901-7902. ABs 7901 arrived sometime around 7. July 2002, while ABs 7902 arrived on 10. July 2002. Strangely, the new coaches are not with UIC-numbers, but only fitted with a four digit number - ironically numbers which are allready used with the class FL intermediate units used on the Lille Nord Lynette stock (11. July 2002, photos by Peter Frost).

MX Special to Borris: On 10. August 2002 DSB Museumstog MX 1001 will work a special Skanderborg-Silkeborg-Herning-Borris and return. Borris is the last station in Denmark with semaphore signals and these will be replaced during the autumn of 2002, so this is the last chance to photograph these. The special is arranged by Klub 40 and will only be worked if enough interested has signed up before 20. July 2002! The price is 525,- d.kr. More information on www.klub40.dk (11. July 2002)

Last class MH to go: DSB/Railion MH 378, which was the last of the class in use with DSB Gods/Railion, has been stored in Køge out of use for the last 1½ years. On 10. July 2002 it was hauled to Copenhagen in the regular freight train (11. July 2002).

 

60 class 2070 delivered: All 60 class 2070 of the first batch has been delivered to ÖBB, when 2070 060 (VSFT Siemens 1001107/2002) departed from Kiel for Austria on 12. September 2002. The next batch of 30 locos will be delivered from 2003 (13. September 2002, source Gunnar Meisner).

ÖBB uses option for another 30 class 2070: ÖBB has ordered another 30 class 2070, to be delivered from June 2003. Currently around 52 of the 60 2070's has been delivered (11. July 2002, sources VSFT and Gunnar Meisner).

 

Vennbahn to end: The preserved railway Vennbahn V.o.E has ended operation and the locomotives and wagons are up for sale. The tourist railway has been working for the last 12 years, but local government no longer supports the organization. This allows you the unique opportunity to by CFL 1603, a GM-loco similar to the GM-Nohabs build by AFB in 1955! (11. July 2002, sources Vennbahn and VDMT)

SNCB class 22 massive withdrawals: 11 SNCB class 22's was withdrawn on 1. July 2002, numbers being 2205, 2210, 2215, 2217, 2225, 2228, 2232, 2238, 2239, 2244 and 2246. The locos has been stored in Charleroi Sud Quai for stripping of spare parts, before being moved to Stockem for scrapping only a week later! A total of 50 class 122/122.2 was delivered from 1954 by BN Nivelles, from 1970 renumbered as class 22 (11. July 2002, source ERG).

Connex takes over Zeleznice Desná: The 19 km line from Sumperk - Kouty n.D. was taken over by local authorities in 1997 following severe flodings, and operated by the private operators ZD / SOZ (Zeleznice Desná / Stavební obnova Zeleznic a.a., Bohumin) with leased DMU's 810.141, 221, 435 and 607. The operator has now ended the deal with the communities and Connex is to take over traffic from October 2002 with the same DMU's (26. July 2002, source Bahnen in Tschechien).

New Pendolino trainsets: Another 8 Pendolino tilting trainsets has been orderd by VR for delivery in spring 2004. VR envisions that by 2006, the Pendolino network will cover all main lines. Then altogether 18 Pendolino trains will be in operation in Finland, by now they are already in service on the Helsinki-Turku, Helsinki-Tampere-Jyväskylä and Helsinki-Oulu main lines. Each train comprises 6 cars and are able to carry up to 287 passengers at a maximum speed of 220 Km/h. (17. July 2002, source Alstom)

VR orders 20 EMU's: VR has placed an order for 20 new SM4 city trains, intended mainly for commuter traffic between Helsinki-Riihimäki and Helsinki-Karjaa, but also for use on longer journeys, e.g. for local traffic between Helsinki-Tampere and on the direct line that will be built from Kerava to Lahti. The trainsets is the confirmation of an option for 20 electrical multiple units and will be delivered by Alstom Ferroviaria in 2004-2005. The value of the contract is approximately EUR 110 million.

At present VR has ten such city trains, which have been in operation mainly in the Helsinki metropolitan area since 1999. The city train is aluminium-bodied. Its top speed is 160 km/h. One trainset consists of two cars with a seating capacity for 184 passengers.

VR Limited, the Finnish Railway company, has just exercised two options with ALSTOM, for 20 SM4 commuter trains and 8 new Pendolino tilting trains, for a combined value of 225 million euros (17. July 2002, sources Alstom and VR).

Baureihe 225 update: So far, DB-Cargo has renumbered and rebuild ** locos of the class 225. The class is former class 215, which has lost the steam heating generator, but with extra weight. Rebuild sofar:
225 001, 007, 030, 031, 032, 073, 075, 078, 079, 081, 082, 084, 086, 091 and 092 (allocated to Bh Kornwestheim).
225 002 and 145 (all. Bh Gießen).
225 003, 004, 005, 006, 008, 009, 010, 017, 018, 040, 111, 133, 134 and 150 (allocated to Bh Oberhausen).
225 011, 012, 014, 015, 020, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028 and 029 (Bh Gremberg).
(17. September 2002, source Lok-Report).

V170 in Haldensleben: Nine of the ten V170's are currently in Haldensleben awaiting new duties, since Eisenbahn-Logistik-Pirna Nicole (ELP) stopped using the Nohabs for engineering trains end August. On 12. September 2002 only V170 1143 was abscent from the depot (14. September 2002, source Ole Dinesen and Wouter's Train Page).

Freight train collision in Bad Münder: Two freight trains had a head-on collision on 9. September 2002 around 20.45 in Bad Münder (Deister) near Hameln, when freight train 62848 (headed by DB 152 075) from Heringen (Werra) to Hamburg Hohe Schaar hit freith train 51219 hauled by 140 635, runing from Seelze to Mannheim. A tank wagon loaded with "Epichlorhydrin“ in train 51219 exploded, probably causing the entire area to be polluted. Both loco drivers where only slightly injured, while both of the locos looks like write-offs. The Eisenbahn-Bundesamt are conducting the investigation on the reason to the accident, however some technical investigations was not completed when the locos was torn from each other, giving the EBA difficulties. The line between Hameln and Springe was completely closed (no through trains on the Hannover-Hameln line), while S-bahn trains continued on the Springe to Hannover line (13. September 2002, source Lok-Report)..

Class 145's on RegionalExpress: From 16. September 2002 locomotives class 145 of Bh Seddin with double stock coaches will take over RE's on the Hannover - Bremen - Leer (0ldenburg) - Emden/Norddeich Mole line from class 110 and "Silberlingen". The locos 145 031-050 is equipped with the Nahverkehrspaket ("Regional Service Equipment"). From 15. December 2002 new delivered locos class 146.1 (146 101-108) will take over the serivice (13. September 2002, source Lok-Report).

Last green class 150 stored: 150 162 was the last green class 150 in use and put on store on 10. September 2002 following damage on the transformer. E 50 091, which is stored in Koblenz-Lützel, is the only other class 150 still to wear the green livery.
It seems the class 150's will lose their last regular duties from the timetable change in December, when the fuel-trains between Karlsruhe and Stuttgart, freight trains around Ingolstadt and the banking on the steep grades of Frankenwald, Geislinger Steige and Spessart, with their grades of 1:40 and 1:50. On 31. August 2002 61 baureihe 150 was still in use with DB (13. September 2002, sources Lok-Report and elektrolok.de).


EBG Taurus on Malmö night train: Eisenbahn Betriebs-Gesellschaft Rügen took a new Taurus loco Dispolok ES 64 U2-019 in use on 3. August 2002 for the GVG-Nighttrain EN 110/111 on the Berlin - Fährhafen Sassnitz (Mukran) line. So far the train had been operated by WAB, at first with a former DB class 109, then a V170 Nohab and for the last months by rail4chem Dispolok ES 64 U2-005 (6. September 2002, source railfan.de, photo by Gerd Böhmer).



101 in Legoland advertising livery: 101 100-6 had its rollout from ICE-Werk Hamburg-Eidelstedt on 29. August 2002 in its new yellow/blue "Legoland Deutschland/Makrolon" advertising livery (6. September 2002, source Lok-Report).

Rail4Chem takes over Hoyer Railerv: Rail4Chem will take over operations and locomotives currently worked by Hoyer Railserv (HRS) from 1. October 2002. This will make operation and administration cheaper for Hoyer, which already owns 25% of the Rail4Chem, but also had build their own rail company (12. August 2002, source Lok-Report and railfan.de) .

PEG E 94 052 in use: Prignitzer Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft mbH (PEG) has overhauled E 94 052, which had been at the Eisenbahnmuseum Dieringhausen since 1996. The loco was testes succesfully between Wittenberge and Stendal on 5. August 2002 and the first running took place together with PEG V 200.03 on train DFG 80317 from Berlin Greifswalder Strasse to Deuna on 12. August 2002. The loco was built in 1941. Also E 94 051 (formerly plinthed in Singen) will be overhauled by PEG (12. August 2002, source Lok-Report and elektrolok.de, see also news 2002/II)

Creme/red 218 217 repainted: The uniquely painted rot/beige TEE-livery of DBAG 218 217-8 has been repainted into ordinary verkehrsrot. The loco was allocated to Regensburg since delivery in 1974 until 30. September 2001, from 1. October it went to Trier depot (12. August 2002, sources Lok-Report and Die V160 Familie).

VSFT announces new locos for Innotrans: Vossloh Schienenfahrzeugtechnik GmbH (VSFT, former MaK) of Kiel has announced two new ranges of diesel locomotives, the Diesel-hydraulic locomotives G 1000 BB and G 1700 BB with central cab. Both locomotives are based on VSFT standard modules.

The G 1000 BB is designed for heavy shunting as well as for light line service. It is the modern successor of the class V90/290-294-295 (DB AG and private operators).

The G 1700 BB is the most powerful Diesel-hydraulic locomotive with centre cab offered by VSFT for the time being. Besides haulage of heavy freight trains, it is also suitable for shunting operation.

Both locomotives will be on display on the open air area of the InnoTrans 2002 railfair in Berlin from 24. - 27. September 2002, and are the first samples of a series which is produced on stock at VSFT in Kiel. From 2003 on, these locomotives are available with short delivery times. Operators from Germany and Austria have already ordered the first locomotives of class G 1000 BB and class G 1700 BB.

Technical Data
	G 1000 BB	G 1700 BB
Length over buffer	14.13 m	15.2 m
Weight	80 t	80 t
Effect	1.100 kW	1.700 kW
Maximum speed	100 km/h	100 km/h

(26. July 2002, source VSFT)

Baureihe 233: So far 11 locos of the class 232 Ludmillas has been rebuild at the Cottbus workshop with new 12-cylinder Kolomna D-49 engines. The first loco to be converted was 233 709 (rev. 28.05.02). Loco numbers are:
233 127-0, 233 217-9, 233 232-8, 232 281-5, 233 285-6, 233 306-0, 233 452-2, 233 511-5, 233 525-5, 233 643-6 and 233 709-5.
A total of 64 locos will be rebuild. The locos are allocated to the Halle G and Dresden depots (26. July 2002, source ERG).

Class 146.1: The first loco of sub-class 146.1 was tested on DB-metals from 8. July 2002. The loco is build by ADtranz Kassel and is derived from class 146, but allowed for 160 km/h and and higher effect of 5600 kW. The locos are quite similar to class 185, with the same loco body, but equipped like a regional service loco. It can be build for dual-voltage operation if needed. The first loco is numbered 146 101 and is currently tested with FTZ München (11. July 2002, source elektrolok.de)

First class 189 on testings in Czech Republic: The first of the new dual-voltage electric locomotives, DB 189 003, was transferred to the Velim test ring in the Czech Republic on 7. - 8. July 2002, for testings before Ceske Drahy (CD) is deciding on buying of new electric locos. This is the first of the class to leave the Krauss-Maffei factory in München-Allach, while 189 001 and 002 is still inside the works. The class 189 is based on the 152's and will be deployed in freight traffic (11. July 2002, source Lok-Report).

Following an initial option of 100 class 152's, DB-Cargo converted this into an order of a total of 100 class 189's, for use on freight train throughout Europe. The locos will be usable on 4 different currencies, 1500 V DC, 3000 V DC, 15 kV AC and 25 kV AC, thus capable of working in Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and other countries. The locos are derived from class 152, they have traction engines of the same type like class 152, but with the IGBH-type semiconductors initially installed in test-loco 152 190. This loco has since been rebuild to fit the rest of the class. The bogies of class 189 has a wheelbase 100 mm shorter than that of class 152, 2.900 mm. Maximum speed will be 140 km/h, wheel arrangement Bo' Bo', lenght over buffers 19.580 mm., weight 88 tons, effect 6.400 kW at 15/25 kV, 6.000 kW at 3 kV and 4.200 kW at 1500 volts. The loco body is slightly lower than any other of the modern DB electrics, the sides of the loco has ribs along the lenght, not unlike the class 155 (12. July 2002, source Eisenbahn-Kurier 1/2002).

 

More 1047's delivered: Two more locos of the Taurus-type was delivered to Hungary on 15. July 2002, when MÁV 1047.002 and GySEV 1047.502 went to their new owners via Austria on their own power. A 5 or 6 day plan will be created for the MÁV 1047s, with the gaps being filled by V63s until the first 6 has all arrived. 1047.003 is expected to arrive
around 26. July (17. July 2002, source ERG).

Former DSB shunters to CFL: Former DSB MK 602 and 603, owned by Vossloh Schienenfahrzeugtechnik GmbH, has been leased to CFL as 220 121 and 220 122. The shunters has lost their DSB markings, but is still in the yellow livery, also traces of the former red band and numbers are still visible (6. September 2002, source www.rail.lu, photo by Jean-Marie Ottelé).

The 220's are on lease for two years to CFL (13. September 2002, Jean-Marie Ottelé).



Class 3600 soldiers on: 10 of the originally 20 class 3600 (similar to class BB 12000 of SNCF), is still on use with CFL. The locos where built by Le Matériel Electrique S.W. 1958-1959 as CFL 3601-3620. 3602, 3603, 3605, 3608, 3609, 3610, 3611, 3612, 3618 and 3619 are all still active though 3619 is currently awaiting repairs and 3603 is believed to be in works, 3610 is currently under maintenance. 3617 is also stored though unlikely to come back. 3618 is to be the designated museum lok (11. August 2002, source ERG. More on www.rail.lu).

Locos from Railion to NS Reizingers: 4 locos has been tranferred from Railion to NS Reizingers and are renumbered 1827/1828/1831/1833 (from 1627/1628/1631/1633) (26. July 2002, source ERG).

Last Di4 refurbished in Denmark: The last of the 5 NSB class Di4 locos, Di4 652, has been refurbished by the DSB Workshop in Copenhagen and was tested on 5. July 2002 between Copenhagen and Ringsted (11. July 2002).

ST 44 on passenger workings: Due to non-availabilty of the required usual SU45/46's on the Tczew - Chojnice line, the trains formed of double deck stock is currently hauled by class ST 44's ("Sergei'js" aka Taigatrommel in Germany) (11. July 2002, source Kolejelist).

RENFE class 333 rebuildings: 32 class 333's of RENFE is currently being converted by Alstom to a new sub-class 333.3. So far 333.301 (ex. 333.027) and 333.313 (ex. 333.036) is already converted, the remaining will be rebuild until autumn 2003. 333.301-312 are owned by Transporte Combinado, 333.313-332 by Cargas. Rebuilding includes new micro-processor controllers, larger fuel tanks and more (11. July 2002, source World Diesel Loco).

G2000 on testings for Green Cargo: A loco of VSFT type G2000 was tested between Halmstad and Hyltebruk on regular freight trains 9. - 15. September 2002. Swedish freight operator Green Cargo is thinking of replacing the T44-class with the new type and was very impressed with the loco, which was capable of starting a train of 2200 tonnes in a 1,5 percent grade (17. September 2002, source SJK).

DB 185 on testings in Sweden: DB Cargo 185 073-4 has been tested in Sweden for 1½ week for use on the Swedish electrified network. The loco should have been transferred through Denmark on 25. August by DSB MY 1135, but this was cancelled and the loco + 4 DSB measurement wagons was hauled by TGOJ T66K 714 on 27. August in train GF 46712, together with the IKEA-container train. The loco was tested around Borlänge, Stockholm and in Skåne together with SJ Rc6 1384 in the following days.

The loco was transferred back to Germany on 6. September 2002, again hauled by TGOJ T66K 714 in train GF 46713. Photos from the testings in Sweden can be found on www.br185.de. (6. September 2002).

DSB and Tågkompaniet to run Roslagsbanan: From 7. January 2003, Roslagståg AB (a company joint owned by DSB and Tågkompaniet) will take over operation of the Roslagsbanan suburban railway in the north-eastern part of Stockholm. Subsidiaries will be 157 mio. Skr. pr. year. The agreement covers 2003-2007. Roslagsbanan has nearly 10 mio. passengers pr. year and is running on 891 mm narrow gauge. The new company will have around 180 employees. Second best offer was given by Connex, with a cheaper offer, but Storstockholms Lokaltrafik found the Roslagståg AB offer better with more trains in traffic and higher punctuality (6. September 2002, sources DSB, Storstockholms Lokaltrafik and Tågkompaniet).

TÅGAB TMY 105 on fire: One cab of TÅGAB TMY 105 suffered severe damage on a fire in Ånn, between Storlien and Åre, on 13. July 2002. Some photos of the fire victim can be found on Postvagnen. Future of the loco is unknown at the moment (17. July 2002).

Tågkompagniet loses traffic to Connex: Tågkompagniet has succesfully operated traffic on the Luleå - Boden, Luleå - Boden - Kiruna - Narvik and Göteborg /Stockholm - Umeå - Luleå lines in the last years, including use of former TEE-panorama coaches and more. Rikstrafiken has deciede that Connex will take over this traffic from 15. June 2003. However, Tågkompagniet has questioned the offer made by Connex, which is about 2/3 of the offer by Tågkompagniet. Connex claims that all employees will be taken over by the new operating company (11. July 2002, sources Tågkompagniet, Connex).

SBB Cargo orders another 40 class Re 482: SBB-Cargo will recieve another 40 class Re 482 electric locos, similar to the class 185 of DB. The locos will be delivered from the end of 2002 until 2005. The locos will replace older locos classes Ae 6/6, Re 6/6 and Re 4/4 and at the same time free 40 class Re 460 for SBB Personenverkehr for use on passenger services. The new locos will be numbered SBB 482 010-049 (6. September 2002, source SBB Cargo).

BLS orders 10 class 485: BLS Cargo AG has ordered 10 dual-voltage freight locos class Re 485 from Bombardier Transportation in Kassel, similar to the class Re 482 of SBB and class 185 of DB Cargo. The ten locos will be delivered from December 2002 until the summer of 2003, primarily for use on cross-border traffic with Germany. The locos will have an effect of 5.600 kW and have security systems of both Switzerland and Germany installed. The locos will replace older class Ae 4/4 (build 1944 to 1955, of which Ae 4/4 251 will be preserved by BLS) and the last Ae 8/8 in use, Ae 8/8 273 (build 1963) (11. July 2002, sources BLS and BahnCH).
Numbers of the new locos will be BLS Re 485 001-010 (17. July 2002, source ERG)

New VSFT diesels ordered by SBB: SBB has ordered 59 new diesel locomotives from Vossloh of Kiel, Germany. These are 1500 kW b-b diesel hydraulic locomotives, with a maximum speed of 100 km/h. Numbers will be Am 843 000 to 058. 40 of the locos will be used by the Cargo division, while 14 will go to the infrastructure department and 5 to the passenger division for passenger car switching. The locos will be delivered from autumn 2003

The locomotives are of the successful MaK-class G 1206/G 1700 BB from Vossloh Schienenfahrzeugtechnik GmbH in Kiel, Germany, including an option for further 37 locomotives. Tenders had been invited from the whole Europe. The locomotives derive from a standard series, adapted to the specific Swiss conditions with some interesting technical features. The central driver’s cab will be arranged for left-hand driving that is used in Switzerland, i.e. the locomotive driver is sitting on the left hand side in order to have the optimum view at the line signals, that are placed on the left side of the track in Switzerland, whereas they are placed on the right hand side in Germany and some other countries. Although the Diesel engine already fulfils the latest requirements for exhaust emissions according to UIC 624 (formerly called ERRI 2003), they will be equipped with additional particle filters for environmental reasons. This first international use of particle filters in locomotives with more than 2000 HP is setting new standards for Diesel locomotives in environmental protection. Another new feature is the installation of the European Train Control System (ETCS), level 2, in order to fit those lines in Switzerland that currently are being equipped with that system. The bogies are proven design standard bogies, also used on both the smaller G 800 BB and the most powerful Vossloh-locomotive, the class G 2000 BB. The two step hydro dynamic gear box allows efficient operation of these locomotives: In the shunting gear up to 40 km/h with highest start up draw forces and in the line gear for a speed up to 100 km/h. With these two speed steps, optimal efficiencies in both gears are achieved. Besides the normal mechanical brake systems, a wear-free hydrodynamic brake is foreseen. The locomotives are prepared for later, easy installation of Radio Remote Control and automatic shunting couplers. Main data SBB Am 843: Length over buffers 15,200 mm Max. height approx. 4,220 mm Max. width approx. 3,080 mm Weight with 2/3 supplies 80 t Diesel engine power 1,500 kW (2,040 HP) Max. speed (line operation) 100 km/h (11. July 2002, drawing and additional information added 12. July 2002, sources SBB and VSFT). Swiss Rail Cargo Köln GmbH: A new freight operator was formed by SBB Cargo, Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) and Hupac SA on 24. June 2002. The new operator will run 4 daily trains Westhäfen-Köln-Basel and return at first, by the beginning of 2003 even 10 daily train pairs (11. July 2002).