The designers of a new diesel-electric locomotive developed by Vossloh Locomotives (Vossloh Espa–a) have succeeded in reducing the chassis weight by 25 per cent by using high strength steels.

The result is a locomotive that provides better transport economics, more evenly distributed axle loads with lower wear of the rails, and that provides better protection for the driver.

The Euro 4000 locomotive has been nominated for the Swedish Steel Prize 2007. The new chassis design allows for a more powerful engine with better emission performance. In addition, new anti-collision features and advanced high strength steel ensure improved deformation properties in the event of a crash.

Increased volumes
Stricter environmental and safety requirements combined with highly congested roads make railways an interesting transport alternative worldwide. The Euro 4000 locomotive meets these new safety and efficiency requirements.

According to Vossloh Espa–a, the new powerful locomotive will allow a higher utilization ratio on the existing rail network. This, in turn, will increase the shipment volumes that can be handled by rail. Customer reactions have been very positive.

New crash boxes
Vossloh Espa–a uses a hot-rolled, 6 mm thick high strength steel with a yield strength of 500 MPa for the new chassis. This has made it possible to produce a brand new chassis design with reduced thickness of various parts. The result is a considerable reduction in weight and improved driver protection, combined with better ability to absorb crash energy. The chassis around the driver seat can withstand considerable stresses. High strength steel is also used for new 'crash boxes' that have been fitted to absorb the collision energy.

For this application, Vossloh uses an advanced high strength steel with a yield strength of 700 MPa. Without reliable protection such as the new crash boxes, even minor collisions may have major financial consequences. As a result, collision energy can now be absorbed by crash boxes that can easily be replaced at considerably lower cost.

25 per cent lighter
In all, the switch to high strength steel has reduced the weight of the chassis by about 25 per cent, this has made it possible to fit both a larger and more powerful engine and a new intercooling system, without exceeding the rail network's weight limits. The intercooler cools the combustion air, which minimizes the emissions of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants. The Euro 4000 has been developed by Vossloh Espa–a of Valencia, where around 800 employees work on the development and production of railway vehicles.

The positive experience of using high strength steels will be used in future development. Vossloh Espa–a plans increase their use of high strength steel grades, which will become much more common in tomorrow's trains.