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the rail engineer • April 2014
I
t’s often said in engineering circles that, if something looks right, then it is right. When Direct Rail Services (DRS) recently showcased the first of their new 15-strong fleet of Class 68 dieselelectric locomotives the sun shone and everything about 68002 ‘Intrepid’ looked very right indeed. That DRS are proud of the new locomotive was very obvious, and so they should be. Hailed as a ‘new generation’ locomotive, DRS says, ‘The new locomotive is set to deliver a significant performance benefit for both DRS and its clients.’ No kidding - this DRS venture is positively heroic!
UKLight The Class 68 simply exudes excellence, resplendent in an updated version of the DRS ‘compass’ livery. Its design is derived from the existing Vossloh ‘EuroLight’ four-axle locomotive which offers high power output and a low axle loading. DRS has worked closely in partnership with Beacon Rail Leasing Ltd in order to develop the concept of this new locomotive with Vossloh. EuroLight uses components from the 2022 tonne axle load Vossloh Euro locomotive
series, with weight reduction being achieved by switching to a lighter engine of the C175 series from Caterpillar Inc (CAT®) and a lighter alternator set and traction equipment from ABB Group. In producing the Class 68, the EuroLight design had in turn to be adapted to fit the UK’s more restricted loading gauge. This UK version, which Vossloh calls UKLight, also offers a higher top speed - increased from 140km/h to 160 - and fuel capacity increased from 4,000 to 5,000 litres. It has an axle loading of 21.4 tonnes. Manufacture of the locomotives is being undertaken by Vossloh España at its Valencia works - the same factory that built the Class 67 locomotives in 1999 when it was part of the GEC-Alstom group. The value of the Class 68 contract is around €45 million.
Stuart Marsh
CAT Positioned almost exactly at the centre point of the locomotive, the CAT C175-16 ACERT™ diesel engine is a derivative of Caterpillar’s very successful C175 series of 16-cylinder and 20-cylinder engines, used commonly in generator sets and heavy earth moving equipment. The C175 has been installed in locomotives elsewhere, notably the Progress Rail PR43C in the USA. This is, however, its first application in a British locomotive. The C175-16 is a medium-speed four-stroke engine with a 175mm bore and 220mm stroke, giving a displacement of 84.7 litres and producing 3,755hp (2,800bkW) at 1,740rpm. It uses electronically controlled common rail fuel injection, which allows the injection events to be tuned precisely according to the demands