DR Class 250
{{Infobox Locomotive
| name = Deutsche Reichsbahn Baureihe 250
(Deutsche Bahn Baureihe 155)
| powertype = Electric
| image = DB Cargo 155 043 Gz Leinefelde.jpg
| caption = 155 043-3 hauling a freight train through Leinefelde/Thuringia.
| builder = LEW Hennigsdorf
| operatorclass = {{ubl|DR: Baureihe 250|DB: Baureihe 155}}
| totalproduction = 273
| builddate = 1977–1984
| firstrundate = 1974
| uicclass = Co′Co′
| maxspeed = {{Convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| gauge = {{track gauge|sg}}
| length = {{Convert|19.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{Convert|123.0|t|abbr=on}}
| electricsystem = 15 kV 16.67 Hz AC overhead
| collectionmethod = Pantograph
| tractionmotors = Six
| poweroutput = {{Convert|5400|kW|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = {{Convert|380|kN|lbf|abbr=on}}
| operator = {{ubl|Deutsche Reichsbahn|Deutsche Bahn AG|{{ill|PRESS|de|Eisenbahn-Bau- und Betriebsgesellschaft Pressnitztalbahn}}}}
| locobrakes = Knorr airbrake / regenerative
| trainbrakes = Knorr airbrake
| safety = Sifa / PZB / LZB / ETCS
| lastrundate = Still in service
}}
The Deutsche Reichsbahn (East Germany) Class 250 (known since 1992 as Deutsche Bahn AG Class 155) is a German electric locomotive used on freight trains.{{Cite book |last=Bäzold |first=Dieter |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/74973616 |title=Ellok-Archiv |date=1987 |others=Günther Fiebig |isbn=978-3-344-00173-5 |edition=6., bearb. u. erg. Aufl |location=Berlin |oclc=74973616}} It is nicknamed the "Electric Container" or "Powercontainer" due to its distinctive carbody shape. It was the most powerful locomotive in the former GDR and is still in use with Deutsche Bahn AG.{{Cite web |date=2016-11-30 |title=DR Baureihe 250/155 |url=https://catalogue.smods.ru/archives/21945 |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=Skymods |language=en-US}}
History
In the mid-1960s, it became apparent that engine classes 211 and 242, in production since 1961, were not powerful enough, so DR built a new, 6-axled, electric locomotive suitable for all classes of traffic. In 1974 three prototypes were built by LEW Hennigsdorf, the leading builder of railway locomotives in the GDR. A series of 270 locomotives were delivered between 1977 and 1984. They were mainly used for heavy cargo trains as well as the fast Städteexpress-train services of DR (comparable with InterCity).
After the reunification of Germany, railway traffic in East Germany slumped. The locomotives were renumbered as class 155, and many of them also operated in West Germany. After Deutsche Bahn was restructured, the engines were assigned to DB Cargo (later Railion, now DB Schenker Rail) for freight services. Since 1998, some locomotives have been used for spare parts. Approximately 200 are still in existence and can be seen throughout Germany pulling all sorts of freight trains. Today the 155s remain indispensable for DB Schenker, Deutsche Bahn's railway cargo carrier.
Construction
Image:DB Class 155 - drivers desk.jpg
The locomotives have a Co′Co′ arrangement with two 3-axled bogies. Each axle is powered by a single-phase, series-wound, AC traction motor. The torque is transferred by a double-sided spur gear to a hollow shaft, and by an elastic rubber cone flange to the wheels. Each motor has an own cooling blower.
Two scissor-shaped pantographs collect the current of 15 kV / 16.7 Hz from the catenary. Recently, many of these pick-ups have been refitted as modern single-arm pantographs.
The core of the electric system is the 3-blade main transformer with oil-cooling. The control unit has 30 power notches, semi-automatic in operation. The settings are thyristor controlled and the thyristor voltage is regulated by phase cutting, which was a novelty for series locomotives in the GDR. All units are equipped with a catenary-current-controlled electric brake. The safety equipment in the driver's cab has an electronic deadman's brake (Sifa), “punctiform” automatic train controls (PZB 90), and train radio equipment with GSM-R communication. Relatively recently, computers were added for the electronic timetable EBuLa.
Some of the models have been equipped with the LZB System. Recently, these are used to haul heavy and fast container trains on the German high-speed network.
Gallery
File:Ellok 250 164.jpg|250 164-1 staying at Leipzig Trade Fair, 1982
File:19.01.94 Senftenberg 155.006.jpg|155 006-0 at Senftenberg, 1994
File:Db-155201-01.jpg|155 201-7 at Heilbronn Hauptbahnhof, 2005
File:Elektrolokomotive DBAG 155 040-9 in Worms 2009-06-26.jpg|155 040-9 at Worms Hauptbahnhof, 2009
File:155 245-4 (Flickr 14703346720).jpg|155 245-4, 2014
File:155 001 Luetzel 03042010.JPG|155 001-1 at DB Museum, Koblenz, 2010
{{Commons category|DR Class 250}}
References
{{Reflist}}{{German electric locomotives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dr Class 250}}
Category:Electric locomotives of Germany
Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1974