DSB Class ME

DSB Class ME

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Henschel Build date 1981–85 Total produced 37

Specifications UIC class Co′Co′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) Wheel diameter 1,100 mm (43.31 in) Length 21.00 m (68 ft 10 ^3⁄4 in) Width 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) Height 4.35 m (14 ft 3 ^1⁄4 in) Loco weight 115.00 t (113.18 long tons; 126.77 short tons) Prime mover GM E645E3B Cylinders 16 Transmission Electric Safety systems ATC (from 1994)

Performance figures Maximum speed 175 km/h (109 mph) Power output 3,300 hp (2,461 kW) @ 900 RPM Tractive effort 360 kN (81,000 lbf)

Career Operators Danish State Railways Number in class 37 Numbers 1501–1537

The DSB class ME are a series of diesel-electric locomotives, introduced in 1981. A total of 37 units were built, all by the German factory Henschel for the Danish State Railways (DSB). They were among the very first AC drive locomotives in serial production.

History

The locomotives were designed to haul the more heavy regional services in Sjælland, Denmark, in the early 1980s, replacing much of the old rolling stock in use at the time.

The first unit, 1501 arrived in 1981 after many years of delay. Three years later, in 1983, DSB had received a total of 30 units. Although there had been some serious trouble with the locomotives, DSB found a solution on the problems, and an additional seven units were delivered.

All the ME locomotives remain in service in 2014, with the exception of one unit which was scrapped after a fire. However, it is expected that the ME locomotives and the last passenger coaches in service will be replaced by IC3 trainsets when the IC4 trainsets take over intercity services.

Currently, the units are painted in DSB's blue/red livery. The locos are technically very identical to the NSB Di4.

Sources

• GM-nyt.dk
• DSB rolling stock

ME unit 1533 in the new livery pushing a set of doubledecker coaches out of Valby station.

See also

NSB Di4

External links

• Class ME on jernbanen.dk (Danish)