ET05
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ET05-R009 from the CTL fleet, photographed in
Gdynia on April 24, 2010. Photo by Marek Dąbrowski (thanks for permission!).
Class
122 is a direct derivative of earlier 121. This Czech 122.007-8 was
photographed in Petrovice on March 9, 2010. |
Starting
from 2005, various Polish private operators obtained over 100 second-hand
electric locomotives from Czech Republic and Slovakia. Most of them were ČD/ŽSSK
classes 181 and 182 (Co’Co’), built by Škoda and known in their
homeland under the nickname ‘Šestikolák’, or six-wheeler. Smaller numbers of
four-axle locomotives have also been impressed into service, including
elderly class 121. Its
origin may be traced in the first license agreement, signed by Škoda
with Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik of Winterthur and Société
Anonyme des Ateliers de Sécheron of Genéve, which materialized in ČSD class E 499.0 (later class 140, deliveries starting in 1953). It was
later developed into class E 499.1 (141), which differed mainly in truck,
suspension and transmission details; its export variant served for many years
with PKP as EU05/EP05. In 1960, a dedicated
freight variant was designed, ballasted up to 88 tonnes and with gear
reduction ratio increased from 2.27 to 3.11 – these changes resulted in
maximum tractive effort increase from 11.6 to 16.0 tonnes, but axle load
increased to 22 tonnes. Maximum speed was reduced from 120 to 90 km/h.
Prototype was rebuilt from E 499.157 and re-numbered E 469.001 (in the 1970s
it was brought back to the original variant). After various minor
improvements, concerning mainly transmission and suspension, this locomotive
went into production as class E 469.1 (later 121, factory type 43E1), 85
examples being built for ČSD between 1960 and 1961. Traction motors
and electric installation were almost identical with their predecessors; in
some locomotives of this type indigenous Škoda-Chadži transmission
was used instead of the original Sécheron type. This type was later
developed into classes E 469.2 (122) and E 469.3 (123), differing in details
– externally they could be easily distinguished by twin headlights, similar to
that of 181s and 182s. In 2000 Czech and Slovakian railways still had 49 and 13 locomotives of this type, respectively. Currently ČD has only six examples, all based in Ústi nad Labem, which has been the home of Czech 121s for many years. As for ŽSSK, this class, commonly nicknamed ‘Skuter’, or scooter, was declared surplus and all except for 121.004-6 were sold between 2005 and 2006 to Polish private operator CTL (Chem Trans Logistic Holding Polska S.A.). First two, 121.040-0 and 121.077-2, arrived in March 2005 and the last one, 121.007-9, in August 2006. After overhauls at the Žilina repairs works in Slovakia, these locomotives were transferred to Polish works in Gdańsk or Oleśnica, to be fitted with equipment demanded by relevant regulations. All were impressed into service with CTL as ET05-R001 through R012; class designation – perhaps intentionally – is consistent with that of EU05/EP05, in fact its close relative. Given their age, it is hardly surprising that their service was in some cases quite short. At the time of writing (May 2010) seven had already been withdrawn and one (ET05-R006) is currently operated by Transoda with its original Slovakian service number 121.038-4. In theory, withdrawn ET05s are offered for sale, but it seems quite possible that they shall be ultimately written off. According to SK, in March 2009 two Czech locomotives of this type, 121.016-0 and 121.029-3, withdrawn before 2005, were transferred to the Oleśnica repair works. Until now, however, no decision on their future has probably been taken. Main technical data
1) Until
late 2006. 2) 16
800 mm in three examples. References and acknowledgments
-
AV vol.1, MAL, AL; -
SK, various issues; -
www.kolejowaklatka.org (website by Marek Dąbrowski). |
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