Class 92 locomotives
Designed in the early 1990s for cross-border operation between England and France through the Channel Tunnel, some class 92 engines (according to the official UK numbering and classification) were taken over by DB Cargo Romania between 2013 and 2016. In the beginning we only used 2 locomotives, but afterwards 6 more followed (out of these 6, two were destined for definitive withdrawal, to be used only for spare parts).
These locomotives were built by Asea Brown Boveri in collaboration with Brush Traction, between 1993 and 1996, and a total of 46 vehicles of this type were ever built. In terms of power source, they can use the 25 kV and 50 Hz overhead network or a third rail, under 750 V direct current. They basically consist of two identical, independent sections and one middle section where the pneumatic installation is housed. This is a result of the demand imposed on them, to be able to keep functioning even if a fire broke out in one of the sections until they cleared the tunnel. The protection systems installed on this machine and its sturdy, fire-proof construction, are considered as trend-setters for all other locomotives authorized for use in the English Channel.
Currently, DB Cargo Romania is using 4 Class 92 locomotives, which are officially numbered as class 472 according to Romanian legislation. They are known as “The Englishwoman” in Romania and Bulgaria. 6 of the original locomotives were named after Romanian writers – out of these, 4 have been sold to a Croatian company. 472-002 Mircea Eliade and 472-006 Eugen Ionescu can still be seen operating between Craiova and Constanta on container or automotive trains.
It must be specified that, even though 2 out of the 8 locomotives originally brought to Romania were intended to be scrapped and their parts used to repair the other 6 engines, the continuous and thorough efforts of the Maintenance Department – Locomotive servicing, even those two engines have been fully restored and can be used for hauling freight trains.
Short technical data overview:
- Total mass: 126 tone
- Axle formula (UIC): Co’Co’
- Power output: 5.040 kW
- Length over buffers: 21.360 mm
- Width: 2.640 mm
- Height: 3.960 mm
- Power source:
- Alternating current, single phased, 25 kV, 50 Hz overhead
- Direct current, 750 V, third rail system
- Top speed: 140 km/h
- Tractive effort: 360 kN / 400 kN (in boost mode)
- Electric traction motors: tri-phased, asynchronous
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