Locomotive for Europe: The Siemens Eurosprinter

2008-Jul-05 | The Eurosprinter enables cross-border rail travel in Europe, despite varying voltage systems in different countries. This universal train set will go into operation on the Vienna-Prague-Berlin line before the end of 2008, according to the research magazine Pictures of the Future. The core component of the Eurosprinter is a basic locomotive equipped with special system packages that enable it to adapt to the specific rail and voltage networks in areas it is used in, eliminating the need for time-consuming changing of locomotives at national borders. The Eurosprinter is the world record holder for the fastest electronically driven locomotive with 357 kilometers per hour reached in September 2006.

The European rail network features different track gauges, five different voltage systems, and numerous train control systems. This patchwork of standards forces trains to stop at borders and change locomotives, a procedure that costs passengers a lot of time. It also puts the rail freight system at a competitive disadvantage compared to truck transport.

The Eurosprinter from Siemens Mobility eliminates these problems because it can be adapted to conditions in several countries. The only component that always remains constant is the basic locomotive, consisting of the locomotive body, bogies, and motors. All other components — including voltage feed and train control systems — can be selected by customers on the basis of the countries where they will be used. The manufacturer and its customers benefit from the modular approach used for the Eurosprinter because the associated lower development costs make it possible to build and market the locomotive at a more attractive price.

To date, Siemens has developed special country packages for Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, and specially equipped Eurosprinter locomotives are scheduled to go into operation on the Vienna-Prague-Berlin line by the end of 2008. Locomotives are currently changed three times on this line; the Czech Republic alone has two different voltage systems. The new locomotive will reduce total travel time on the line by between 40 and 50 minutes.