ASEA electric locomotive (Ferrocarriles Vascongados, later version)

The ASEA electric locomotive was an electric locomotive type originally operated by Ferrocarriles Vascongados in the Basque Country, Spain. When that company was absorbed by FEVE, it came to be known as the FEVE 4200 series. It was later operated by Euskotren.

ASEA electric locomotive
Locomotive 15, preserved at the Basque Railway Museum
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderASEA
Build date1950
Total produced3
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo′Bo′
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Length10.85 m (35 ft 7 in)[1]
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)[2]
Height3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)[2]
Axle load11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
Loco weight44,000 kg (97,003 lb)
Electric system/s1,500 V DC overhead line
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motors4× ASEA LJ-63
Loco brakeVacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)[2]
Power output:
 • Continuous530 kW (711 hp)
Career
OperatorsFerrocarriles Vascongados, FEVE, Euskotren
Delivered1950
Retired2010

History

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In the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, Ferrocarriles Vascongados experienced a surge in passenger and freight traffic. As a result, the company ordered three locomotives to ASEA, which had manufactured four electric locomotives for Ferrocarriles Vascongados in the early 1930s. The three new locomotives were mechanically very similar to the older ones, but featured a more modern exterior design. Unlike the previous locomotives, whose mechanical parts were built by CAF in Beasain, Spain; the new ones were built entirely by ASEA in Västerås, Sweden.[3] As of 2005, they were the last narrow-gauge electric locomotives to have been imported into Spain.[4]

After the original operator was absorbed into FEVE in 1972, the locomotives were renumbered as 4201 to 4203. This period saw a decline in freight traffic which coupled with the retirement of some[which?] multiple unit types meant the 4200 series (as well as the 4000 and 4100 series) was increasingly used to haul local train services. After the establishment of Euskotren in 1982 (known at the time as ET/FV), they were transferred to the new company. After 1988 they were retired from passenger service, and were used exclusively as shunters. Between 1994 and 1995, the three locomotives were refurbished in Gernika. As part of the refurbishment, their exterior was reformed, they were fitted with Alliance couplers and their cabins were made similar to the ones used by 200 series trains.[3] They were retired from service in 2010.[citation needed]

Numbering and naming

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The locomotives were named after mountains of the Basque Country. Their individual details are as follows.[3]

FV No. FEVE No. Name ASEA No. Retired Fate
15 4201 Amboto 1270 2010 Donated to the Basque Railway Museum in 2011.
16 4202 Oiz 1271 2010 Scrapped.
17 4203 Udalaitz 1272 2010 Scrapped.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Salmerón i Bosch, Carles; Olaizola Elordi, Juanjo (1990). Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos: Historia eta teknika - Historia y técnica (in Spanish and Basque). Barcelona: Terminus. p. 118. ISBN 84-404-8322-8.
  2. ^ a b c "Locomotora eléctrica 0015". EMSIME (in Spanish). euskadi.eus. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Olaizola, Juanjo (2001). Bilbo eta Donostia arteko trenaren material motorea / Material motor del ferrocarril de Bilbao a San Sebastián (in Spanish and Basque). Bilbao: Eusko Trenbideak Ferrocarriles Vascos, S.A. pp. 112–115. ISBN 84-920629-3-2.
  4. ^ "Cien años de tracción eléctrica en vía estrecha". Vía Libre (in Spanish). 20 September 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
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