VR Class Sr1

The Sr1 is a class of electric locomotives built for VR of Finland. These 25 kV locomotives were built in the Soviet Union at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Factory between 1973 and 1985. Two additional locomotives of this class were built at the VR Hyvinkää Machine Workshop in 1993 and 1995, number 3111 from spare parts and number 3112 from the original prototype locomotive (number 3000) that was never used by the VR.[1] The official classification given by the manufacturer is VL70 or ES40.

VR class Sr1 NEVZ VL70 (НЭВЗ ВЛ70) NEVZ ES40 (НЭВЗ ЭС40)
VR Class Sr1 number 3043 at Kouvola station in 2011
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant, VR Hyvinkää Machine Workshops Škoda Electric, Strömberg Build date 1971, 1973–1985, 1993, 1995 Total produced 112
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft) Wheel diameter 1,250 mm (49.21 in) Length 18.96 m (62 ft 2 ^1⁄2 in) Loco weight 84 tonnes (83 long tons; 93 short tons) Electric system/s 25 kV 50 Hz AC catenary Current pickup(s) Pantograph
Performance figures Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph) Power output 3,100 kW (4,160 hp) Tractive effort 280 kN (62,900 lbf)
Career Operators VR Number in class 110 in use First run 1973–1996 Disposition Still in service, planned retirement from 2019

The nicknames for these locomotives are "Siperian susi" (Wolf of Siberia; in Finnish slang "susi" can also mean a poorly manufactured object, compare English "dog" or "lemon"),[1] "Kaalihäkki" (Cabbage Cage)[1] and "Sähköryssä" (Electric Russkie).

History

In 1970, Valtionrautatiet ordered 27 electric locomotives from Energomachexport, which were delivered between September 1973 and the end of the year 1975.[2] 82 additional locomotives were ordered and delivered between 1973 and 1985.[2] The first prototype locomotive, number 3000, was bought from the constructor in 1994 by VR, which rebuilt it into number 3112.[2]

The trains have been used in passenger and cargo transport on Finland's electrified rail network.[3]

A list of overall locomotives made is shown below:

Year	Number of units delivered	Unit numbers	Notes
1971	1	3000	Prototype locomotive. Kept by NEVZ up till the mid 1990s.
1973	4	3001–3004	First batch, introduced the same year.
1974	2	3005–3006	First batch.
1975	21	3007–3027	First batch.
1976	12	3028–3039
1977	12	3040–3051
1978	12	3052–3063
1979	12	3064–3075
1980	10	3076–3085
1981	7	3086–3092
1982	6	3093–3098
1983	6	3099–3104
1984	5	3105–3109
1985	1	3110
1993	1	3111	Built at Hyvinkää in Finland from spare parts.
1995	1	3112	Rebuilt at Hyvinkää in Finland from unit 3000.

Livery

The locomotives originally carried a dark red livery, with light yellow stripes around and below the cab windows. The stripes were later replaced with yellow warning panels (resembling stylised wings) below the cab windows. From the early 1990s onwards this livery was replaced by an off-white livery with red stripes. Nowadays the locomotives are refitted with a white-green livery to go with the current company colours.

• 
  Sr1 3036 in its first livery at NEVZ Novocherkassk, freshly outshopped, circa 1976.
• 
  Sr1 3046 in its second livery at Oulu, 14 June 1986
• 
  A Sr1 hauling a freight train in its second livery in 1987
• 
  Sr1 3069 in a white-red VR livery
• 
  Sr1 3084 in a white-green VR livery
• 
  Sr1 3093, spotting a "transitional livery" with green headlight front stripe

Technical information

Electrical equipment for the locomotives was supplied by the Finnish company Oy Strömberg (later part of ABB).[2]

Locomotives number 3098–3110 were rebuilt with new bogies allowing a higher maximum speed (160 km/h)[4] in the 1990s (3111 and 3112 were originally built for this speed), but since 2003 they have been restored back to the original top speed due to the speed being raised at the expense of tractive effort (possibly the delivery of the faster Sr2 class also had an effect). The last Sr1 to be equipped with bogies allowing 160 km/h was number 3107.

• 
  Two Sr1 locomotives operating in multiple-unit train control
• 
  Pantograph of Sr1
• 
  Driving cab of Sr1

Incidents and accidents

Collision of trains with Sr1 locomotives

Three Sr1 class locomotives have been damaged beyond repair and withdrawn from service: number 3048 in Jokela in 1996, number 3089 in Jyväskylä in 1998 and number 3101 in Siuro in 2011. Five other locomotives have also been involved in accidents, but have been rebuilt or repaired afterwards.[5]

Withdrawal and replacement

In December 2013 VR announced an order for 80 new electric locomotives to replace the Sr1 Class. The new locomotives, of the Siemens Vectron design, will be built in Germany by Siemens.[6] The new locomotives are scheduled to be delivered between 2017 and 2026, resulting in the withdrawal of the Sr1 class.[7]

See also

• VR Class Sr2
• VR Class Sr3

References

1. Hietaranta, Juhana; Laurila, Santeri. "Sr1" (in Finnish). Retrieved 6 May 2011.
2. Eonsuu, Honkanen & Pölhö 1995, p. 88.
3. Eonsuu, Honkanen & Pölhö 1995, pp. 88–89.
4. Eonsuu, Honkanen & Pölhö 1995, p. 89.
5. "Sr1 kalustolista" (in Finnish). Sivuraide.net. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
6. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/vr-orders-siemens-vectron-locomotives.html
7. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/broad-gauge-vectron-arrives-in-finland.html Railway Gazette International, retrieved on 29 January 2016

Literature

• Eonsuu, Tapio; Honkanen, Pekka; Pölhö, Eljas (1995). Suomen veturit osa 2. Moottorikalusto. Elokuvan Maailma. pp. 88–90. ISBN 952-5060-02-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links

Media related to VR Class Sr1 at Wikimedia Commons

• Photographs of VR Sr1 locomotives
• Further photographs from Railfaneurope.net
• Railway Gazette: new locomotives to replace Sr1 class, December 2013