EURO 4000 LOCOMOTIVES

LOCOMOTIVE HEIGHT
Euro 4000 Diesel Locomotive

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This document contains confidential and proprietary information of Vossloh Locomotives Espaa.
This document is loaned upon the expressed condition that it shall not be reproduced in any manner and shall
be returned on demand. Neither the document nor the information contained therein shall be disclosed to
others, exported or used for others without written permission of Vossloh Locomotives Espaa.

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EURO 4000 LOCOMOTIVES

INDEX
1

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1
HISTORIC VIEW ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
2.2
LOADING GAUGE DIAGRAM ......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3
LOCOMOTIVE LOADING GAUGE ................................................................................................................................... 6
2.4
CATENARY HEIGHT ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.4.1 3kV Catenary ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
2.4.2 25kV Catenary .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.4.3 SPECIAL TRACK CONDITIONS - TAMPING ................................................................................................................. 8

EFFECTS & CONSEQUENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 10

CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................................................. 12

ANNEX 1 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 13
ANNEX 2 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14
ANNEX 3 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 15

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1 INTRODUCTION
PRASA has signed a contract to purchase 20 x Euro4000 and 50 x EuroDUAL locomotives to
SWIFAMBO. Swifambo has signed a sub-contract with VOSSLOH to manufacture the mentioned
locomotives to procure them to PRASA.
The objective of the present document is to present a formal answer to the new request received
the 5th of November 2013 from PRASA to reduce the contractual height of the Euro4000 locomotive
from 4.140mm to 3.965mm.

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2 BACKGROUND
2.1 HISTORIC VIEW
The Euro4000 locomotive platform was designed to operate throughout Europe and
consequently is compatible with the UIC loading gauge, that applies in European countries
(except UK). The height of this locomotive is 4.264mm as can be seen on figure 1 layout.

Figure 1: Original Euro4000 loading gauge

After studying the BE-83-252_SHT_12 loading profile provided during the tender and
negotiation phase for the offer development, the contractor stated that it was possible to
adapt the height of the locomotive from its original height of 4.264mm down to 4.140mm
without affecting the locomotive carbody structure, and thus without major modifications.
Only the detachable roof structures and some components needed to be modified to
comply with the 4.140mm height requirement.
Based on that fact, the contractor established the value of the Euro4000 locomotive height
in 4.140mm in the contractual Technical Specification (see corresponding Annex of the
contract), and started the design of the locomotive (once the contract was signed), specially
for the affected components/structures, and produced the definitive load profile study that is
shown in Annex 3.

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2.2 LOADING GAUGE DIAGRAM

Based on the information received so far by the contractor, there are 2 locomotive loading
gauges in South Africa, as shown in the following figures 2 and 3.

.
.

Figure 2: Loading gauge received during tender phase

Figure 3: Loading gauge received in October13

The first one (figure 2) was received during the tender and negotiation phase when only the
EuroDUAL locomotive was being considered in the scope of the contract, as originally
specified for all vehicles (see Annex1).
By the time, the already designed Euro4000 came as an option during the mentioned
negotiation phase (20 out of 70 locomotives) and VOSSLOH clearly stated that the
EURO4000 locomotive (with a 4.140 mm) could fit inside the same loading gauge using the
higher central area of the loading gauge that is normally reserved for folded pantographs of
electric locomotives. Prasa confirmed this option and therefore a 4.140 mm height was
fixed as the contractual value for the Euro4000 locomotive.
In fact, the second loading gauge diagram shown in figure 3 (which is basically the same
but without the special allowance on the upper part) was first provided once the project had
started, concretely after the final Technical Input Meeting of the Euro4000 locomotive, when
the locomotive design was already finished.

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2.3 LOCOMOTIVE LOADING GAUGE

Based on the information received during the tender and negotiation phase, the following
clearance diagram was produced for the contractual technical specification (see complete
drawing in annex 3).
The design height of the locomotive is 4.120mm, but we reserve 15mm for manufacturing
tolerances in height and 5mm of height increase when the fuel tank is empty (which is not a
normal operating condition). This results in the maximum locomotive height of 4.140mm
(worst case) provided. Resulting diagram can be seen in figure 4.
Area for the pantograph
in electric locomotives

4.140mm

Figure 4: Euro4000 4.140mm loading gauge

As can be appreciated in the diagram, the Euro4000 locomotive for South Africa only
reaches 4.140mm height in the area dedicated for the pantograph in electric locomotives,
as agreed during the negotiation phase.

2.4 CATENARY HEIGHT

According to different procurement tender specifications for the purchase of locomotives of
Transnet (BBF3795 or BF3701) and the Conceptual Train specifications relevant to the
PRASA rolling stock fleet renewal programme, the catenary of the South African 3kV and
25kV lines should comply with the following nominal heights.

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2.4.1 3kV Catenary

The 3kV catenary nominal height is 5000mm, varying between 4500mm and 6000mm, with
an absolute minimum at 4220mm.
As the nominal locomotive height is 4120+20-0mm, the distance between the highest point of
the locomotive and the catenary will vary between 1880mm and 380mm, with an absolute
minimum of 100mm when the catenary is at its absolute minimum height and 80mm when
locomotive height tolerances are in the most unfavorable conditions.
To comply with EN50124, under 3kV catenary systems an air distance of at least 45mm
has to be left between the catenary and the conductive parts (the locomotive body). In the
worst case we leave 80mm, so the Euro4000 locomotive complies with the EN50124
requirements if the catenary height complies with its nominal values, even for the worst
case (with empty tank fuel). See figure 5 below.
6000mm catenary

5000mm catenary

4500mm catenary

1860mm/1880mm

860mm/880mm

360mm/380mm

4220mm catenary
26mm/46mm
35mm/55m

As per EN50124

80mm/100mm

3kV Air distance 54mm

45m
Nominal Locomotive height 4120mm
(tolerance +20/-0mm)

Figure 5: Euro4000 4.140mm loading gauge with air distance to 3kV catenary

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2.4.2 25kV Catenary

In the 25kV catenaries, the nominal height is 5000mm, varying between 4500mm and
+20
6000mm. As nominal locomotive height is 4120 -0mm, the distance between the highest
point of the locomotive and the catenary will vary between 1880mm and 380mm
According to EN50124, under 25kV catenary systems an air distance of at least 150mm
has to be left between the catenary and the conductive part (the locomotive body). In the
worst case, the Euro4000 will leave 360mm, so the Euro4000 locomotive complies with the
EN50124 requirements if the catenary height complies with its nominal values, even for the
worst case. See figure 6 below.
6000mm catenary

5000mm catenary

4500mm catenary

1860mm/1880mm

860mm/880mm

210mm/230mm
360mm/380mm

As per EN50124

Air distance 150mm

Nominal Locomotive height 4120mm

(tolerance +20/-0mm)

Figure 6: Euro4000 4.140mm loading gauge with air distance to 25kV catenary

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2.4.3 SPECIAL TRACK CONDITIONS - TAMPING

As mentioned in the Introduction section, PRASA has requested to reduce the Euro4000
th
locomotive height due to following reason textually explained by Swifambo the 5 of
November 2013 by mail:
The current problem with the PRASA infrastructure is such that the height between the top
of the rail and the catenary is 4110mm due to tamping and other activities happening on the
rail side, the normal distance between the rail and the catenary should be 4220mm,
therefore with the locomotive at 4140mm we are 30mm out or 30mm above the catenary.
The mentioned requirement is related to a specific problem in PRASA infrastructure that
may have reduced the height between the rail and the catenary (understood for 3kV lines)
to 4.110mm (instead of the 4.220mm minimum specified in the mentioned public tenders
and by the infrastructure manager), due to tamping activities in specific areas.
It is our understanding that that tamping process is only a temporary situation, located only
in specific track sections, probably caused by track works, but should not last to definitive
configuration. The infrastructure maintenance responsible has to ensure that catenary
height is maintained at the nominal values; which means between 6.000mm and 4.500mm,
with some specific exceptions of 4.220mm for the 3kV lines.
In addition to that, it should be highlighted that this temporal height restriction will affect not
only Euro4000 locomotive, but also other South African locomotives like class 7E (4.200mm
high), class 7E2 (4.200mm high).
On the other hand, other South African locomotives like Class 6E1 (4.089mm high) and
Class 18E (4.089mm high) leave only 21mm between the catenary and conductive parts
when pantograph is down, so they do not comply with the 45mm air distance insulation
requirement as per EN50124, and consequently should also not be allowed to operate in
these track sections with the catenary height reduction.

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3 EFFECTS & CONSEQUENCES

In order to comply with a loading gauge height limit of 3.965mm, due to manufacturing
tolerances (+15mm) and suspension unloading (+5mm), we would have to consider that the
nominal maximal height of the locomotive would need to be 3.945mm.
In the following 3D layouts (see figure 7) the impact of reducing the loading gauge to
3.965mm can be appreciated. All components shown in intense colors would remain over
the 3.965mm line and therefore all the equipment below them would need to be redesigned
in order to comply with the requested height, as well as the carbody structure.

3.945mm height

Figure 7: 3D layout with the 3.965mm cutting plan

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As mentioned before, it is not feasible to comply with the requested height without a
complete re-design of the vehicle equipment and carbody structure.

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4 CONCLUSIONS
The contractor received an official loading gauge document, that was provided during the
tender and negotiation phase and the locomotive Euro4000 complies with it.
Regarding to the distances between catenary and locomotive, the contractual Technical
Specification of the Euro4000 locomotive complies with the air insulating distances required
by EN50124 standard by nominal catenary height, even with more margin than other actual
operating locomotives. There may exist track points where temporal restrictions could apply
to the Euro4000 locomotive due to tamping activities, but this restriction would also be
applicable to other locomotives in service in South Africa.
Although it is not possible to reduce EURO4000 locomotive height below 4.140mm, due to
all mentioned facts, it is understood that with actual height and with the information we
manage, the locomotive should be acceptable for operations in South African tracks.
Actually, PRASA has locomotives in operation that are higher than Euro4000 and it is
understood they can run without restrictions in infrastructure (tunnels, bridges, etc).

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ANNEX 1

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ANNEX 2

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ANNEX 3

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