Iranian Railways AD43C explained

AD43C
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Designer:Alstom
Builder:Alstom / Ruston (first 20 units)
Wagon Pars
Desa diesel (remainder)
Totalproduction:120
Uicclass:Co´Co'[1]
Length:frame 21.54m (70.67feet) / 22.79m (74.77feet)
over buffers 24.03m (78.84feet)
Width:2850mm
Height:4280mm
Axleload:Freight versions : 20.5or*
Passenger version :
Locoweight:123t†
Fuelcap:9200L
Sandcap:80L minimum capacity
Primemover:Ruston 16 RK 215 diesel
Alternator:Alstom AT 14
Tractionmotors:Alstom 6FRA 4564 forced ventilation
Transmission:AC/AC electric of ONIX type[2] Alstom ONIX 1500 water-cooled IGBT inverter
Maxspeed:Freight version : 110km/h
Passenger version 150km/h
Poweroutput:3160kW
Tractiveeffort:starting
Freight version : 542kN
Passenger version : 482.5kN
Locobrakes:~220kN maximum (electrical dynamic)
Trainbrakes:air
Multipleworking:3 units of same type
Operator:Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
Notes:
  • ballasted
    † with 5000L fuel, 480L sand

The AD43C is a type of mainline 6 axle Co'Co' diesel locomotive designed by Alstom and used by the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI). It was in production from 2000. Delivery started in 2002.Alstom designated the vehicle with product code Prima DE 43 C AC.

Background

In 1998 GEC Alstom won an order valued at $125 million (later valued at €192 million[2]) for the supply of 100 mixed use locomotives for Islamic Republic of Iran Railways.[3] The first 20 units were to be manufactured at Alstom's factory in Belfort, France, the remainder at Wagon Pars in Iran.[2] After production of an initial batch by Ruston the remaining engines were to be built by DESA in Iran under a technology transfer agreement.[4]

Design

The locomotives are a 6-axle Co'Co' twin cab design, incorporating a RK 215 engine with a power at rail of 2880kW.[5] After premature failures both in engine and turbocharger RAI has de-rated the engine power gradually up to 2400 Kw.

Three variants were produced, a passenger version with a 150km/h top speed and a 20.5t axle load, and two freight versions with a 110km/h top speed and either a 20.5t23t axle load., Only two prototypes of ballasted locomotives had been introduced;as, the ballasts limited the engine room space and higher center of gravity raised concerns, the ballasts were later removed completely. The passenger locomotives were later assigned for freight service because of low reliability and introduction of more reliable ER24PC locomotives.

Current conditions

As of the early of 2016 only a third of AD43C locomotives are in revenue service. These locomotives have undergone substantial modifications since RAI put them into service. Most of the out of service locomotives have been cannibalized for salvaging components to make operation of the in-service locomotives possible. As maintaining of the locomotives in service out-costs their revenue, Iranian railways has decided to retrofit these locomotives with other engines.

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Web site: Diesel electric locomotives AD43C. wagonpars.com. 25 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111006173926/http://www.wagonpars.com/009.html. 6 October 2011. dead.
  2. ALSTOM to supply 100 diesel-electric locomotives in Iran . 27 October 1999 . Alstom . alstom.com . 24 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927102700/http://www.alstom.com/news-and-events/press-releases/ALSTOM-to-supply-100-diesel-electric-locomotives-in-Iran-19991027/ . 27 September 2011 . dead .
  3. Web site: Iranians to build AC diesels. 1 February 1998. Railway Gazette International. railwaygazette.com. 25 June 2011. 17 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110617025207/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/iranians-to-build-ac-diesels.html. dead.
  4. Web site: Into Man B & W and the New Millenium. Anson Engine Museum. enginemuseum.org. ..contract was signed during September with ALSTOM Transport of France for Ruston to supply 100 traction engines type 16RK215T. The engines were to be used to power one hundred AD43C locomotives for the Iranian Islamic Republic Railways ... Prior to signing the contract Ruston negotiated a Consortium, Transfer of Technology, Localisation and Distribution agreement with the Iran Heavy Engine Manufacturing Company (DESA). The agreement was for Ruston to supply the first engines fully built and the remainder to be built in Iran by DESA ... 24 June 2011. 22 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190822045336/http://www.enginemuseum.org/intoman.html. dead.
  5. Web site: PRIMA DE 43 C AC diesel locomotives, Iran . https://web.archive.org/web/20051017040222/http://www.transport.alstom.com/home/Products_and_Services/RAIL_VEHICLES/Passenger_trains/Main_line_Trains/10840.EN.php?languageId=EN&dir=%2Fhome%2FProducts_and_Services%2FRAIL_VEHICLES%2FPassenger_trains%2FMain_line_Trains%2F&docLink=7613 . 17 October 2005 . transport.alstom.com . . dead .

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