ADtranz DE-AC33C

The prototype was unveiled in 1996.

Initially the axle load was expected to be a light {{convert|18|t|1}} and the power at ~{{convert|2500|kW|abbr=on}}.[http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Transport-Finance-96/Europe-Mid-East--Blue-Tiger-unveiled.html Europe/Mid East – 'Blue Tiger' unveiled, Rail] janes.com In practice, the German locomotives had an axle load of {{convert|21|t|1}} (which is normal for this type of diesel locomotive).

General Electric supplied diesel engines and electrical transmission system (which used IGBT-based inverters driving AC traction motors). The rest of the locomotive was built by AdTranz in Kassel.

For the Pakistani export models a 16-cylinder engine was used.

Bombardier took over AdTranz in 2001, subsequently the Blue Tiger locomotive was shown at InnoTrans in 2002[http://www.railfan.de/nebahn/articles/innotrans2002.html InnoTrans 2002 in Berlin] railfan.de with a view to European orders. The German production models had a mass of {{convert|126|t|1}} (axle load {{convert|21|t|1|disp=or}}) and an engine power of {{convert|2430|kW|abbr=on}}.

As of 2009, the class is no longer listed as a production model by Bombardier; GE also lists the family as a former production type.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090328224627/http://www.getransportation.com/na/en/earlylocomodels.html Earlier locomotive models]}} getransportation.com For the European market, Bombardier produces the less powerful diesel variants of the TRAXX family, whilst GE offers variants of its Evolution series for export.

The first orders for the locomotives came from Pakistan Railways in the late 1990s.{{citation| url =http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19077907.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140611070905/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19077907.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =2014-06-11| title = Adtranz and GE Transportation Systems.(receives 30-locomotive Blue Tiger order, expect $1 billion in future orders)| journal = Railway Age| date = January 1997}} The locomotives were being built to a gauge of {{RailGauge|1676mm}} and powered by a 16-cylinder engine of {{convert|3300|hp|kW}} instead of the 12-cylinder engine used in the prototype and other production models. The first ten were shipped out, the remainder assembled under license in Pakistan.[http://www.locopage.net/asia-pics.htm GE Locomotives in Asia & Middle East] subsection 'Pakistan' locopage.net

Pakistan Locomotive Series Start From 6001 to 6030.

File:Ktmb class 26 ipoh.jpg

Twenty locomotives were built to {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge in 2003–2004 for KTM.[http://www.keretapi.com/26class.html 26 Class / Blue Tiger] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324075407/http://www.keretapi.com/26class.html |date=24 March 2009 }} keratapi.com{{citation| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-70821228.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025032909/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-70821228.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 25 October 2012| title = KTM focuses on beefing up rail freight transport capacity|journal =Business Times (Malaysia)|date = 6 January 2003}} They were designated as "Class 26" (Numbers: 26101 – 26120).

All the locomotives were named after capes in Malaysia.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} In the first decade of operations the locomotives proved more reliable than the Malaysian Class 29 locomotives bought at around the same time.{{cite web|url =http://www.mmail.com.my/Readymade_train_wreck.aspx |title = Readymade Train Wreck| date = 10 October 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081013081610/http://www.mmail.com.my/Readymade_train_wreck.aspx| archivedate= 13 October 2008| work =www.mmail.com.my| publisher= The Malay Mail}}

10 Locomotives were built to {{RailGauge|1435mm}} gauge with a view to leasing or orders.

Various companies have used the locomotives. Initially Karsdorfer Eisenbahngesellschaft GmbH (KEG)[http://canadair.ca/en/1_0/1_0_0_99_p.html Bombardier: Eight Blue Tiger Locomotives Soon To Be In Service For Karsdorfer Eisenbahn (Bombardier press release)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919024315/https://www.bombardier.com/en/aviation.html |date=19 September 2019 }} canadair.ca was to use 8 units, but went bankrupt in 2005. In 2006, the distribution was:[http://www.privat-bahn.de/Blue_Tiger_Lieferliste.html Blue Tiger Lieferliste] 'Blue Tiger' operator list privat-bahn.de

• Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (5 units including the prototype)
• ITL Eisenbahngesellschaft (Import Transport Logistik) (2 units)
• Havelländische Eisenbahnen AG (4 units)

A working scale model of this locomotive has been produced by the Slovenian company Mehano in N, TT and HO scale.

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/de/private/builder/Bombardier/Blue_Tiger/pix.html Blue Tiger images (Europe)] railfaneurope.net
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090707041825/http://www.bombardier.com/files/en/supporting_docs/BT-Bogies-FLEXX_Power.pdf Bombardier FLEXXX Bogies] FLEXX Power 120 type used in Blue Tiger locomotives

{{German diesel locomotives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Tiger (Locomotive)}}

Category:Co′Co′ locomotives

Category:Co-Co locomotives

Category:Adtranz locomotives

Category:Keretapi Tanah Melayu

Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Malaysia

Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Pakistan

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1996

Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Germany