Belgian Railways Class 77

The NMBS/SNCB Class 77 (also known as HLD 77 or HLR 77) is a class of 4 axle B'B' road switcher diesel hydraulic locomotive designed for shunting and freight work manufactured at the beginning of the 2000s by Vossloh Schienentechnik/Vossloh Locomotives at the Maschinenbau Kiel plant in Kiel, Germany for the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS).

SNCB/NMBS 77
Diesel locomotive #7798 of the Belgian State Railways (SNCB – NMBS), 2010
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel
Builder Vossloh Schienentechnik/Vossloh Locomotives
Serial number1000918 – 1001007[1]
1001217 – 1001296[1]
Build date1999–2005[1]
Total produced170[1]
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICB'B'[1]
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge[1]
Wheel diameter1,000 mm (39.37 in) (new)[1]
Minimum curve75 m (246.06 ft)[1]
Wheelbasebogie centre distance 7.770 m (25 ft 5.9 in)[2]
axle distance 2.400 m (7 ft 10.5 in)[2]
Length15.590 m (51 ft 1+34 in)[1]
Width3.052 m (10 ft 18 in)[1]
Height4.220 m (13 ft 10+18 in)[1]
Loco weight90 t
(88.6 long tons; 99.2 short tons)[1]
Fuel capacity4,200 L
(920 imp gal; 1,100 US gal)[1]
Prime moverAnglo Belgian Corporation 6DZC-1000-144A[1]
AlternatorAuxiliary 3 phase 65–130 kW[3]
TransmissionVoith Hydraulic L4r4zseU2a[2]
Loco brakepneumatic (Knorr-Bremse)[3]
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 or 60 km/h (62 or 37 mph)[1][2]
Power output1,150 kW (1,540 hp)[1]
Tractive effort210–265 kN (47,000–60,000 lbf)[1]
Career
OperatorsSNCB/NMBS
Class77
Numbers7701–7870[1]
Dispositionin service

Background and design

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The initial order for 90 locomotives was given to Siemens in 1997 to replace an aging diesel fleet; the railway opted for a locomotive suitable for both shunting and mainline use, rather than separate classes.[4] Siemens sold its locomotive manufacturer division (Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik) to Vossloh in 1998.[5]

The locomotives were variants of the standard MaK G 1200 series design,[2] and are considered a development of the MaK G 1205 type.[1] The locomotive is an off-centre cab design with a two-speed Voith hydraulic transmission driving all axles via cardan shafts.[2] Auxiliary electrical supply is provided by an engine mounted alternator.[4] Unlike many other MaK locomotives which use a MTU or CAT 12-cylinder V engine the locomotive has an ABC 6-cylinder inline engine.[3]

The first locomotive was delivered in October 1999, and worked satisfactorily; a second order for 80 locomotives was given in June 2001.[4][6]

Operations

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The first locomotive entered service in February 2004.[7] All 170 units were operational by June 2005.[8]

Due to its relatively low power the locomotives work in multiple on heavy freight trains.

Equipment variations

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Sets of the class vary in the type of equipment they carry:[4]

NMBS/SNCB
number
Radio
control
Cab
Radio
ATB Notes
7701–7708 Yes Yes No Fitted with automatic coupler for hill shunting; not approved for Netherlands
7709–7728 Approved for limited operations in Netherlands[6]
7729–7770 No
7771–7790 Yes Approved for Netherlands[9] and Germany (2004);[10] fitted with PZB system
7791–7865 No No Can operate in Netherlands when in multiple with locos with ATB or radio[9]
7866–7870 ~ Yes Fitted with ATB and PZB in 2008 for work in Germany (Iron Rhine line)[11]

See also

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  • NS Class 6400 similar concept diesel electric freight locomotives built by MaK/Siemens between 1988 and 1995 for the railways of the Netherlands.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "MaK – HLD 77 für die SNCB". www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "HLD 77 diesel-hydraulic, multi-purpose locomotive for SNCB (Belgian Railways) equipped with Voith L 4r4 zseU2a turbo reversing transmission" (PDF). www.voithturbo.com. Voith.
  3. ^ a b c David De Neef (editor). "Locomotives des séries 77 et 78". www.belrail (in French). Fiche technique. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ a b c d David De Neef (editor). "Locomotives des séries 77 et 78". www.belrail.be (in French). {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "Historie". Vossloh (in German). Archived from the original on 2008-12-21.
  6. ^ a b "Nieuwsbrief Issue 48". www.netherlandsrailways.co.uk. Benelux Railways Society. March 2004. Class 77. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07.
  7. ^ David De Neef (ed.). "Les premières 77 en service commercial". www.belrail.be (in French).
  8. ^ David De Neef (ed.). "L'ensemble de la série 77/78 opérationnelle". www.berail.be (in French).
  9. ^ a b David De Neef (ed.). "Les 77/78 homologuées aux Pays-Bas". www.belrail.be (in French).
  10. ^ David De Neef (ed.). "Les 77 homologuées en Allemagne". www.belrail.be (in French).
  11. ^ David De Neef (ed.). "Cinq motrices supplémentaires pour circuler sur le Rhin d'acier". www.belrail.be (in French).
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