VR Class Dr16

File:VR Dr16 locomotive in Oulu Jul2009 001.jpg

In the beginning of the 1980s, Valtionrautatiet needed new locomotives to replace its aging Dr12 and Dv12 class diesel locomotives.{{sfn|Eonsuu|Honkanen|Pölhö|1995}} The company had installed a bigger engine on a Dr12 (which became the Dr15) and modified one Dv12 to run on electricity instead of diesel.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=16}} However, the company wanted a totally new locomotive, and finally chose Valmet's type M in 1983, with Strömberg providing the electrical components.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=19}} VR originally ordered 23 locomotives,{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=20}} with an option of 20 more when the first series were delivered.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=54}}

It was originally planned that two locomotives would be first built as prototypes,{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=20}} the first of them being fitted with a Wärtsilä engine and the second one with the Pielstick.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=30}} When the first prototype ran on its own on 22 April 1985 for the first time,{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=40}} there was a Pielstick engine under its engine cover, because the Wärtsilä one had proved three tons too heavy.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=30}} When completion of the Wärtsilä engine was delayed a second time, the second prototype was also fitted with a Pielstick. {{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=50}} Due to these engine problems, the number of prototypes was extended to four in January 1986.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=50}} The locomotives, numbered 2801–2804, were taken into service in 1985–1987:{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|pp=49–80}} the first two had a Pielstick engine, the latter two a Wärtsilä.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=50}} On 13 March 1989 VR confirmed that Pielstick engines would be fitted on all the upcoming locomotives.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=74}} The Wärtsilä engines were kept on the two prototypes, as refitting them would have been too costly.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|pp=74–75}}

After an extensive testing programme, the 19 series locomotives were delivered between 1990 and 1992.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=100}} The manufacturer had anticipated a larger series to be ordered to replace old heavy line diesels (Dr12 and Dr13); however, the rapid progress of the electrification of Finnish main lines decreased the need for new heavy diesel locomotives and thus no further orders materialized.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=74}} The locomotives were designed and assembled in Finland, either by Valmet Oy at Tampere (numbers 2801–2809) or by Transtech Oy at Otanmäki and Taivalkoski (numbers 2810–2823).{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=99}}

Originally the engines were planned to be of Finnish design (Wärtsilä Vaasa 8R22), but after tests with two prototype locos, the engine type was changed into French Pielstick 12PA4-V-200VG.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|pp=30–31, 74}} The Pielsticks produced originally {{convert|1660|kW}}, but in 1997 they were limited to an output of {{convert|1500|kW}} to increase durability.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=127}}

The locomotive was very modern at its time and it was among the first{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=20}} to use microprocessor-controlled GTO thyristor inverter-driven three-phase asychronous AC motors.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|pp=104, 111}} The construction is modular,{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=106}} and data is transmitted via optical fiber cables between modules.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}} The maximum speed is {{convert|140|km/h}}.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=108}} The maximum frequency of the inverters corresponds to {{convert|156|km/h}}, and the locomotive has reached that in test runs.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} The locomotive provides 400 kW 1500 V electricity for heating of passenger cars.{{cite journal | title = Dr16-veturi maailman huipulta | journal = Resiina | date = February 1989 | pages = 67–71 | language = fi }}

The first two prototypes were painted in a white/red livery to go with VR's recent InterCity brand, showcasing the VR logo next to the cab.{{cite web | url = http://vaunut.org/kuva/55588 | title = Vaunut.org - Kuva | first = Esko | last = Maasalo | date = 12 June 1986 | access-date = 15 June 2011 }}{{cite web | url = http://vaunut.org/kuva/21839 | title = Vaunut.org - Kuva | first = Tapio | last = Muurinen | date = April 1988 | access-date = 15 June 2011 }} The final livery (starting from number 2803) added some grey on the side of the engine covers.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=59}} Two of the locomotives (numbers 2816{{cite web | url = http://www.isovaalee.info/ | title = 2816 vihrein kuvioin liikenteessä | first = Petri P | last = Pentikäinen | publisher = Petrin Viestintä | date = 28 February 2011 | access-date = 10 May 2011 | language = fi }} and 2819{{cite web | url = http://www.isovaalee.info/ | title = 2819 valmis | first = Petri P | last = Pentikäinen | publisher = Petrin Viestintä | date = 22 August 2010 | access-date = 10 May 2011 | language = fi }}) have been repainted in a new white/green livery in 2010 and 2011. These have been called Iso Kalpee (Finnish for "Big Pale") by railroad enthusiasts.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}

File:Iin junaonnettomuus, ilmakuva onnettomuuspaikalta.jpg.]]

File:Shunting accident in Vartius, Finland 2006-08-22 2.jpg in 2006. All were returned to service.]]

Of a total of 23 built locomotives, five Dr16:s have been withdrawn from service and/or scrapped. This includes all of the prototype locomotives (numbers 2801–2804), which were withdrawn between 2004 and 2009.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=128}}{{cite web | url = http://www.isovaalee.info/veturi2802.html | title = 2802 | first = Petri P | last = Pentikäinen | publisher = Petrin Viestintä | access-date = 10 May 2011 | language = fi }}

In addition to the prototypes, one series locomotive, number 2814, was scrapped in 2000 after sustaining serious damage in a level crossing accident near the municipality of Ii.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=128}}{{cite web | url = https://turvallisuustutkinta.fi/en/index/tutkintaselostukset/railroad/tutkintaselostuksetvuosittain/raideliikenne2000/b12000ronnettomuusiissaakolanvartioimatt.html | title = B1/2000R Onnettomuus Iissä Akolan vartioimattomassa tasoristeyksessä 9.2.2000 | publisher = Accident investigation board of Finland | date = 11 September 2000 | access-date = 12 May 2011 }} After the accident, the obstruction clearing device of the Dr16 was redesigned and strengthened according to the recommendation of the accident investigation board.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=128}}

Sources: {{harvnb|Pentikäinen|2006|pp=40, 50, 60, 100, 128}}; [http://www.isovaalee.info Isovaalee.info]

File:Ttm1 N-veturi.jpg.]]

Also known as type N locomotive ({{langx|fi|N-veturi}}) or Dv13. It is a smaller work locomotive that implements some of the components of the Dr16.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=112}} The two locomotives share also the same computer system.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=112}} It is owned nowadays by Maansiirto Veli Hyyryläinen Oy (part of Destia group).{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}

Valmet originally prepared the Dr12 to be modified as a full electric locomotive while building it, designing it for speeds up to {{convert|180|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=27}} It was estimated that the electric and diesel variants would share 80% of their parts.{{sfn|Pentikäinen|2006|p=29}} However, VR finally ordered the Sr2 locomotives from SLM and ABB.

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

* {{cite book | first1 = Tapio | last1 = Eonsuu | first2 = Pekka | last2 = Honkanen | first3 = Eljas | last3 = Pölhö | title = Suomen veturit osa 2. Moottorikalusto | pages = 38–39 | publisher = Elokuvan Maailma | year = 1995 | isbn = 952-5060-02-0 }}

• {{cite book | first = Petri P. | last = Pentikäinen | title = Iso Vaalee | publisher = Petrin Viestintä | year = 2006 | isbn = 952-92-0413-2 | url = http://www.isovaalee.info }}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|VR Class Dr16}}

• {{cite web|url=http://4rail.net/reference_finland_locos_diesel1.php#dr16|title=Finnish Diesel Locomotives|at=Dr16|work=4rail.net}}

{{Finnish locomotives}}

{{VR Group}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vr Class Dr16}}

Dr16

Category:Bo′Bo′ locomotives

Dr16

Dr16

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1985

Category:5 ft gauge locomotives