Belgian Railways Class 77
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The NMBS/SNCB Class 77 (also known as HLD 77 or HLR 77) is a class of 4 axle B'B' road switcher diesel hydraulic locomotive designed for shunting and freight work manufactured at the beginning of the 2000s by Vossloh Schienentechnik/Vossloh Locomotives at the Maschinenbau Kiel plant in Kiel, Germany for the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS).
| SNCB/NMBS 77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Diesel locomotive #7798 of the Belgian State Railways (SNCB – NMBS), 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background and design
The initial order for 90 locomotives was given to Siemens in 1997 to replace an aging diesel fleet; the railway opted for a locomotive suitable for both shunting and mainline use, rather than separate classes.[4] Siemens sold its locomotive manufacturer division (Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik) to Vossloh in 1998.[5]
The locomotives were variants of the standard MaK G 1200 series design,[2] and are considered a development of the MaK G 1205 type.[1] The locomotive is an off-centre cab design with a two-speed Voith hydraulic transmission driving all axles via cardan shafts.[2] Auxiliary electrical supply is provided by an engine mounted alternator.[4] Unlike many other MaK locomotives which use a MTU or CAT 12-cylinder V engine the locomotive has an ABC 6-cylinder inline engine.[3]
The first locomotive was delivered in October 1999, and worked satisfactorily; a second order for 80 locomotives was given in June 2001.[4][6]
Operations
The first locomotive entered service in February 2004.[7] All 170 units were operational by June 2005.[8]
Due to its relatively low power the locomotives work in multiple on heavy freight trains.
Equipment variations
Sets of the class vary in the type of equipment they carry:[4]
| NMBS/SNCB number |
Radio control |
Cab Radio |
ATB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7701–7708 | Yes | Yes | No | Fitted with automatic coupler for hill shunting; not approved for Netherlands |
| 7709–7728 | Approved for limited operations in Netherlands[6] | |||
| 7729–7770 | No | |||
| 7771–7790 | Yes | Approved for Netherlands[9] and Germany (2004);[10] fitted with PZB system | ||
| 7791–7865 | No | No | Can operate in Netherlands when in multiple with locos with ATB or radio[9] | |
| 7866–7870 | ~ | Yes | Fitted with ATB and PZB in 2008 for work in Germany (Iron Rhine line)[11] |
See also
- NS Class 6400 similar concept diesel electric freight locomotives built by MaK/Siemens between 1988 and 1995 for the railways of the Netherlands.
