Voith Maxima

Voith had supplied components to the railway industry since the 1930s - in particular its hydraulic transmissions.

Merger of the Deutsche Reichsbahn and Deutsche Bundesbahn in the 1994 resulted in the German state railways acquiring many high-powered diesel locomotives of the DR Class 130 family, which reduced any opportunities for sale of a high power transmission to the Deutsche Bahn in the medium term.{{cite web|url=http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1407882&lang=1| title = Südlich des Nord-Ostsee-Kanals - Kiel-Wik| language = de| work = loks-aus-kiel.de}}

However, in 2004 Nord-Ostsee-Bahn acquired a contract to operate the Marschbahn from December 2005,{{citation|date = 12 January 2004| url =http://www.finance.veolia.com/press-release-166.html| title = Connex wins Germany's biggest ever rail tender to be awarded to a private operator| work = finance.veolia.com}}{{citation| url = http://www.eisenbahn-webkatalog.de/news/index487/Marschbahn_Hamburg_Westerland_geht_an_NOB_.html| title = Marschbahn Hamburg–Westerland geht an NOB| date = 6 December 2003| work = eisenbahn-webkatalogd.de| language = de| access-date = 18 March 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111114061732/http://www.eisenbahn-webkatalog.de/news/index487/Marschbahn_Hamburg_Westerland_geht_an_NOB_.html| archive-date = 14 November 2011| url-status = dead}} and contracted Vossloh to build new locomotives (R3000 CC) to operate it; the locomotive's design specifications were a top speed of {{convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and power of over 3 MW.{{citation |url=http://www.der-fahrgast.de/Archiv/2003/2003-3-34-35.pdf |title=Wettbewerb: Frischer Wind an der Küste : Nord-Ostsee-Bahn gewinnt Ausschreibung| language = de|page=34 |journal=DerFahrgast |issue=5 |year=2003|volume=3}} Initially the service was to be operated by the MaK DE 2700 type, before the new R3000 locomotives were built.{{citation| url = http://www.marschbahn-glueckstadt.de/Html/Zeitung_01_052004.pdf| title = Vossloh: Auftrag über R 3000 erhalten| page = 9| journal = Matschbahn-Courier| number = 1| date = May 2004| publisher = Freunde der Marschbahn Glückstadt / BSW e.V.| language = de| access-date = 18 March 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131016215126/http://www.marschbahn-glueckstadt.de/Html/Zeitung_01_052004.pdf| archive-date = 16 October 2013| url-status = dead}} The LS 640 reU2 transmission (input power 4.2 MW{{citation| url =http://www.voithturbo.com/diesel-driveline-rail-products-for-locomotives-ls640reu2.htm| title = The world's most powerful locomotive transmission - The LS 640 reU2| publisher = Voith| work = voithturbo.com| access-date = March 18, 2012}}) was a result of development work by Voith for the R3000 locomotive's transmission. The 'Turbo Split' LS 640 transmission was first exhibited at Innotrans in 2004 - a key feature of the new transmission was the ability to separately control two outputs from the input - enabling wheelslip control per bogie.{{citation |url=http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/MesseBerlin/htdocs/www.innotrans.de/de/Presse/Report/Report_1_DE.pdf |title=Voith Turbo wagt den Einstieg : Bau von dieselhydraulischen Großloks |page=7 |journal=Innotrans 2006 Report |number=1 |date=April 2005 |publisher=Messe Berlin |language=de |access-date=12 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012091424/http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/MesseBerlin/htdocs/www.innotrans.de/de/Presse/Report/Report_1_DE.pdf |archive-date=12 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}, [http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/MesseBerlin/htdocs/www.innotrans.de/en/Press/Report/Report_1_GB.pdf English version]{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2005, Vossloh acquired Alstom's Meinfesa plant (Valencia, Spain), and with it a license to manufacturer GM-EMD based diesel electric locomotives, and as a result, it abandoned the R3000 development, instead offering the Vossloh Euro and Vossloh G2000 designs for mainline work.{{citation| url =http://www.lokmann.no/lt/2005/lt1005.pdf| at ="Vossloh", pp. 10–11; "Voith", pp. 14–15| language =no| journal =Lokomotivmands Tidende| number =10| year =2005| publisher =NORSK LOKOMOTIVMANDSFORBUND| title =Nye diesellokomotiver| access-date =18 March 2012| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131030173236/http://www.lokmann.no/lt/2005/lt1005.pdf| archive-date =30 October 2013| url-status =dead}}{{citation| url =http://www.regionalverkehr.de/pages/rv_meld_050210.htm| title = DE 2700-09 bei der Nord-Ostsee-Bahn (NOB) im Einsatz| date = 10 February 2005| work = regionalverkehr.de}} The Euro 4000 was offered to the Marschbahn instead of the R3000.

Sources:

• {{citation| url = http://www.css-rzd.ru/ZDM/2005-09/05093.htm| title = Выход Voith Turbo на рынок подвижного состава| number = 9| year = 2005| journal = Железные дороги мира| language = ru| access-date = 18 March 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060924183915/http://www.css-rzd.ru/zdm/2005-09/05093.htm| archive-date = 24 September 2006| url-status = dead}}
• {{citation| author = J. Perniska| journal = Railvolution| year = 2005| number = 3| page = 63| title = Voith Maxima 40 C'C'| url = http://www.railvolution.net/railvolution/issue.php?i=18}}

Because it lost an outlet for its new transmission, Voith began development of a new high-powered mainline locomotive - the Voith Maxima.

Voith then developed in house new high-powered diesel locomotive series along with single cab shunting and trip freight locomotives, the Voith Gravita series. With a development period of just 500 days, the first locomotive was ready in 2006 and presented at the InnoTrans 2006 fair.{{cite press release|url = http://www.voith.de/press/543779.htm |title =Baptism of worldwide innovation - The Voith Maxima 40 CC is the world's most powerful diesel-hydraulic locomotive| publisher = Voith Turbo| work= voith.de|date = 20 September 2006}} The locomotive design won a red dot design award in 2007.{{cite press release| url = http://www.voith.com/press/545893.htm| title = Voith Locomotive Maxima Receives Prestigious Design Award| date = 10 April 2007| publisher = Voith Turbo}} A new factory in Kiel was established in 2006 by Voith to manufacture the new locomotives.{{cite web|url = http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2009/7/4/62819/62696| work = eurotrib.com| title = Diesel Heavy Haul across Europe| date = 5 July 2009}}{{cite press release| url=http://www.voith.com/press/542953.htm| title = Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik in Kiel| date = 30 May 2006| publisher = Voith Turbo| work = voith.com}}

At Innotrans in 2008, Voith added a third potential model to its Maxima range, the 4 axle Maxima 20BB.{{cite news| url = http://www.eurailpress.de/article/view/4/maxima_20bb_die_kleine_grosse.html| title = Maxima 20BB – die kleine Große| date = 23 September 2008| work = eurailpress.de| language = de}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The type was expected to be a competitor for a 200 locomotive order from Deutsche Bahn for diesel locomotives for passenger and freight services to replace the DB V 160 family of locomotives;{{cite web| url= http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view//db_cargo_schreibt_200_streckendiesellokomotiven_aus.html| archive-url= https://archive.today/20120730183340/http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view//db_cargo_schreibt_200_streckendiesellokomotiven_aus.html| url-status= dead| archive-date= 30 July 2012| title= DB Cargo schreibt 200 Streckendiesellokomotiven aus| language= de| work= eurailpress.de| date= 18 November 2002}}{{#tag:ref|The specifications of the order included: a locomotive capable of hauling a 6 car double decker train at 140 km/h with surplus force of 30kN, a train power supply rated at 300kW, and tractive effort of at least 236kN{{cite news| title = DB AG: Beschaffung von 200 Strecken-Diesellokomotiven| url = http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view//db-ag-beschaffung-von-200-strecken-diesellokomotiven.html| date = 29 December 2009| language = de| work = eurailpress.de}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}|group="note"}} in 2011 the Deutsche Bahn AG order was won by Bombardier Transportation with a new multi-engine type of its TRAXX platform.{{cite press release| url=http://bombardier.com/en/corporate/media-centre/press-releases/details?docID=0901260d8016ee96| title = Bombardier Transportation Signs Frame Contract with DB Regio AG for 200 Innovative TRAXX Diesel Multi-Engine Locomotives| date = 18 April 2011| publisher = Bombardier Transportation|access-date=21 August 2011}}{{cite press release| url=http://www.deutschebahn.com/site/bahn/de/presse/presseinformationen/ubh/h20110418.html| title = Deutsche Bahn vergibt Millionenauftrag für neue Dieselstreckenlokomotiven| date = 18 April 2011| publisher = Deutsche Bahn|access-date=21 August 2011}}

After the exhibition of the demonstrator locomotive at the InnoTrans 2006 fair, it was tested on several German main lines to receive German certification. It was also tested on the Velim test ring and also went to Norway and Sweden for thermal testing. Final German certification was granted on 23 December 2008 by the German rail authority EBA.{{cite press release| url = http://www.ox-traction.com/news3.php| title = The Maxima tests at Velim: how to achieve optimal reliability, safety, comfort and environment friendliness| work = ox-traction.com| publisher = Ox traction| year = 2008| access-date = 1 September 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080616124248/http://www.ox-traction.com/news3.php| archive-date = 16 June 2008| url-status = dead}}{{cite news | url = http://www.eurailpress.de/article/view/27/voith_maxima_hat_eba_zulassung_bekommen.html | title = Voith Maxima hat EBA-Zulassung bekommen | work = eurailpress.de | language = de | date = 30 December 2008 | access-date = 2 January 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726103525/http://www.eurailpress.de/article/view/27/voith_maxima_hat_eba_zulassung_bekommen.html | archive-date = 26 July 2011 | url-status = dead}}

A second demonstrator locomotive was built and equipped with Dutch and Belgian safety systems for obtaining Dutch and Belgian certification. It was tested in the first and second quarter of 2008 in the Netherlands, and in Belgium in the fourth quarter. After Dutch and Belgian certification, the locomotive will be passed on to HGK for testing.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

A third and last demonstrator locomotive is being built and will be used to obtain certification in Poland, Sweden and Norway.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

As of 2008, 32 locomotives have been ordered, with options for a further 29:

• Ox-traction, a Dutch leasing company in which Voith held a 44% stake, was to order 15 Maxima 40CC and 15 Maxima 30CC locomotives, with a potential option of a further 23 Maxima locomotives.{{cite web| url= http://www.x-rail.org/render.asp?o=6553&pf=true| title= Ownership of Ox-traction| work= x-rail.net| date= July 2008| access-date= 2 April 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120322052005/http://www.x-rail.org/render.asp?o=6553&pf=true| archive-date= 22 March 2012| url-status= dead}}{{cite news | url =http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view/28/voith_maxima_und_gravita_verkauft_testfahrten_vor_abschluss.html | title =Voith: Maxima und Gravita verkauft - Testfahrten vor Abschluss | language =de | work =eurailpress | date =15 November 2007 | access-date =1 September 2008 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110726103234/http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view/28/voith_maxima_und_gravita_verkauft_testfahrten_vor_abschluss.html | archive-date =26 July 2011 | url-status =dead}} Its first Maxima 40CC locomotive was delivered in April 2009 and was immediately leased to LOCON.{{cite web|url =http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1000006&lang=1&id=64830&action=portrait | title =Fahrzeugportrait Voith 40005 |work = loks-aus-kiel.de| language = de| access-date = 1 July 2011}}{{cite news|url = http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view//erste-maxima-fuer-ox-traction.html|title = Erste Maxima für Ox-traction|work = eurailpress|language = de|date = 6 May 2009|access-date = 4 June 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091114062746/http://www.eurailpress.de/search/article/view/erste-maxima-fuer-ox-traction.html|archive-date = 14 November 2009|url-status = dead}}
  In August 2010 Ox-traction ended its business activities. Locomotives previously leased and marketed over Ox-traction are now leased directly from Voith.{{cite web|url=http://www.ox-traction.com/|title=Ox-traction N.V. are ending their business activities.|author=Ox-traction|date=August 2010|access-date=19 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907085235/http://www.ox-traction.com/|archive-date=7 September 2011|url-status=dead}}
• HVLE ordered 2 Maxima 40CC locomotives. The first was delivered in April 2009, the second in April 2010.{{cite web|url =http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1404827&lang=1&id=64829&action=portrait | title =Fahrzeugportrait Voith L06-40004 |work = loks-aus-kiel.de| language = de| access-date = 21 August 2011}}{{cite web|url =http://www.loks-aus-kiel.de/index.php?nav=1404827&lang=1&id=64834&action=portrait | title =Fahrzeugportrait Voith L06-40040 |work = loks-aus-kiel.de| language = de| access-date = 21 August 2011}} HVLE took an option on a further 6 locomotives.{{cite press release |url = http://www.voith.de/press/547942.htm| title =Private Railway Relies on Powerful Voith Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives| publisher = Voith Turbo| work = voith.de| date =14 December 2007}}

The locomotive's body consists entirely of steel. Both cabins have two seats (one for the train driver and one for a relief driver or supervisor) and have a standardised and ergonomical control desk. The cabins also have air conditioning and are equipped with all modern needs of today's operating conditions.{{cite journal|journal = Eisenbahn Kurier| date = February 2007|publisher = EK-Verlag, Freiburg| issn =0170-5288|pages = 34}}

Powered by either an 16VDZC or 12VDZC engine by Belgian engine manufacturer Anglo-Belgian Corporation, rated at {{cvt|2750|kW|hp}} to {{cvt|3600|kW|hp}} respectively, the locomotive can reach a top speed of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} ({{cvt|160|km/h|mph}} optionally) with a starting tractive effort of {{convert|519|kN|lbf|abbr=on}}. The normal continuous tractive effort is {{cvt|408|kN|lbf}}. The 'Turbo Split' LS 640 reU2 transmission allows for a separated traction and wheelslip control of each bogie, being the first locomotive series equipped with this new technology. Brake equipment consists of electro-pneumatic and engine compression brakes. The smallest drivable curve radius is {{convert|80|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The locomotive can take up to {{convert|9,000 or 10,000|L|impgal usgal|abbr=on}} of fuel, depending on the configuration.{{cite journal| journal = Eisenbahn Kurier| date = February 2007|publisher = EK-Verlag, Freiburg|issn =0170-5288|pages = 36}}

The locomotives are assembled at a new plant next to the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal in Kiel. Large maintenance and overhauls will be carried out in a new central workshop in Cologne, to be operated jointly by Voith Turbo and HGK.{{cite press release| url =http://www.voith.com/press/547232.htm |title = Central Workshop for Voith Locomotives in Europe| publisher = Voith Turbo| work =voith.com| date = 26 September 2007}}

Voith initially offered two variants of this locomotive: the most powerful version is the Maxima 40CC with {{convert|3,600|kW|hp|abbr=on}} power, intended for freight operators with heavy trains of up to {{convert|3,000|MT|LT ST|abbr=off}}. A less powerful version is the Maxima 30CC with {{convert|2,750|kW|hp|abbr=on}} power, primarily intended for freight operators with trains of up to {{convert|2,500|MT|LT ST|abbr=on}} or passenger operators. A third version the Maxima 20BB was added to the range in 2007.

Voith signed an exclusive contract with Saxon model building company Sächsische Waggonfabrik Stollberg to build a H0-model of both Maxima variants. All parts of the locomotive will be engineered and made in Germany.{{cite web| url = http://www.waggonfabrik.eu/| title = Voith Maxima: Das Modell - Saechsische Waggonfabrik Stollberg| language=de| access-date = 1 July 2011|work = waggonfabrik.eu|publisher = Sächsische Waggonfabrik Stollberg}}

• EMD JT42CWR, GE PowerHaul and Vossloh Euro 4000 are contemporary competitors to the Voith Maxima.
• List of Voith transmissions
• Voith Gravita

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{{Commons category|Voith Maxima}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.legios.eu/public/downloaditem/(2)LEGIOS_GENERAL_prospekt_EN.pdf| title = Diesel-hydraulic Locomotive LEGIOS GENERAL| work= legios.eu| publisher = Legios a.s| access-date=22 September 2011}}
• {{citation| url =http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/european-diesel-rivals-revive-electric-versus-hydraulic-contest.html| title = European diesel rivals revive electric versus hydraulic contest| date = 1 July 2006| work = railwaygazette.com}}
• {{citation| url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_9_46/ai_n26705445/| title = Voith Maxima set for InnoTrans debut: the unveiling of Voith's first ever complete locomotive at InnoTrans this month looks set to re-ignite the long-running debate over the relative merits of hydraulic and electric transmission| author = Keith Barrow| journal = International Railway Journal| date =September 2006}}

Category:Voith locomotives

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 2006