Eurotunnel Class 0001

Eurotunnel Class 0001
Railion unit.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder MaK, Kiel, Germany[1] Model DE1004[1] Build date 1991–1992[1] Total produced 5[2] (+5 ex-NS 6400 acquired November 2010/September 2016)[3][4]
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′[1] Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 1,000 mm (39.37 in) Length 14.4 m (47 ft 2+7⁄8 in) Loco weight 90 tonnes (89 long tons; 99 short tons) Prime mover MTU 12V 396TC13 Transmission Diesel electric / three phase electrical by ABB
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph) Power output 950 kW (1,270 hp)
Career Operators Getlink Numbers 0001–0005 0006–0010 (ex-NS 6400)[4] 21901-21910 (TOPS Numbers)
Sources:[2] except where noted Details refer to original 5 locomotives acquired, for more information on the five units added in 2010 & 2016 see NS Class 6400

The Eurotunnel Class 0001 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives were built by Maschinenbau Kiel (manufacturers designation DE 1004) between 1991 and 1992.^[2] They are very similar to the NS Class 6400. When operating in the United Kingdom, the locomotives are assigned a TOPS classification as Class 21.^[5]

History and design

Five locomotives were built, numbered 0001–0005. They carry a yellow and grey livery and are used by Getlink for rescuing trains in the Channel Tunnel, and for propelling service trains in the channel tunnel. They are cleared to travel to Calais, Ashford, or St. Pancras; since 2007 they have been authorised to rescue trains on High Speed 1 in the event of a power failure.^[6] They have also been used to haul the SNCF TGV Iris 320 test train through the Channel Tunnel.^[7]

In 2007 the locomotives were fitted with diesel particulate filters for the exhaust gases,^[8] which replaced the exhaust scrubber wagons that were previously coupled to the engines.^[9]

Following a series of tunnel breakdowns due to snow during winter 2009/10, during which the locomotives were extensively used,^[10] in November 2010 Eurotunnel announced it was to acquire two more Krupp rescue locomotives^{[note 1]} with co-financing from Eurostar, at a cost of €1.3 million.^{[3][note 2]} The locomotives acquired were similar NS 6400 locomotives bought second hand from DB Schenker Nederland,^[11] which were renumbered as 0006-0007.^[4] Eurotunnel acquired a further three in September 2016. One of these three will be retained as a shunter to work at the goods yard at Calais-Fréthun, and has received the silver and blue Europorte livery, while the other two have the grey and yellow Eurotunnel livery identical to the remainder of the fleet.

Class		Operator	No. Built (Year)	Number Range	Notes
0001		Eurotunnel	1991–1992	0001–0005
				0006–0010	Purchased from DB Schenker Nederland
List of locomotives
Current Number		Previous Number	Current Livery	Status	Notes
Eurotunnel	TOPS
0001	21901		Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0002	21902		Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0003	21903		Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0004	21904		Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0005	21905		Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0006	21906	NS6456	Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0007	21907	NS6457	Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0008	21908	NS6450	Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0009	21909	NS6451	Eurotunnel Yellow/Grey	Operational
0010	21910	NS6447	Europorte Silver/Blue	Operational	Shunter at Calais-Frethun

Notes

1. The MaK plant where the locomotives were built was part of the Krupp group in the 1990s
2. See 16–21 December European snowfall

References

1. "loks-aus-kiel.de - MaK - DE 1004". www.loks-aus-kiel.de.
2. "MaK - DE 1004", www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German)
3. Sources:
   • Kreab Gavin Anderson (3 November 2010), "Eurotunnel and Eurostar co-finance purchase of two rescue units", www.europeanrailwayreview.com
   • "Two more Krupps for Channel Tunnel". Modern Railways.
4. Sources:
   • "Fahrzeugportrait MaK 1200056", www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German)
   • "Fahrzeugportrait MaK 1200057", www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German)
5. "Eurotunnel locos on TOPS". EBSCO. Railways Illustrated. April 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2017.^{[dead link‍]}
6. Jeff Baker (28 April 2009), "Exhaust Emission Control" (PDF), www.uic.org, Eurotunnel, The Krupp Locomotive, p.3^{[permanent dead link‍]}
7. "Maintenance" (PDF). Inspecting the infrastructure at 100 km/h. Annual Report (Report). Eurotunnel Group. 2010. p. 24. Retrieved 7 June 2011. IRIS 320 measuring train … since December 2010, … inspecting the Channel Tunnel, pulled by a Eurotunnel diesel locomotive at 100 km/h … every two months
8. "MaK - DE 1004", www.loks-aus-kiel.de (in German), see individual locomotive history sections
9. A breath of fresh air for Eurotunnel maintenance crews Roberto Chellini, Diesel & Gas Turbine worldwide, July–August 2007, www.hug-eng.ch
10. "Eurostar Independent Review" (PDF), www.railwaysarchive,co.uk, 12 February 2010
11. "Eurotunnel buys more rescue locomotives". Railway Gazette International. 3 November 2010. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.

External links

Images

• Kevin Cooper, "Working of the year? - Euro Tunnel Krupps & SNCF TGV 951 at Rainham 21/03/12", www.flickr.com
• "Eurotunnel 0004 20120321 St Pancras", www.flickr.com, 21 March 2012
• "0001", www.flickr.com, 18 November 2006, maintenance at the former NedTrain workshops in Tilburg