Class 2000

Picture from the Railfaneurope.net Picture Gallery, click here for the caption.

Number series: 2001 - 2008
UIC Class: 92 84 2272 xxx-x
Number in service for rail4chem: 4 (July 2008)
Introduced: 2002
In service for SL/rail4chem: 2003
Axle arrangement: Bo'Bo'
Continuous power rating: 2240kW
Maximum tractive effort: 283kN
Maximum speed: 120km/h
Weight in working order: 87.3 tonnes
Length: 17.400m
Wheel diameter (new): 1000mm
Motor: Caterpillar 3516 B-HD
Transmission: Hydraulic (Voith L 620 reU2)
Builder: Vossloh Locomotives (Kiel - Germany)

As freight traffic for Shortlines, now taken over by rail4chem, was growing, it needed more locomotives of its own. It was no longer possible to use many locomotives from HGK. Therefore Shortlines decided to lease two large diesel locomotives built by Vossloh Locomotives in Kiel (Germany). This factory also once built class 6400 for NS.

In autumn 2003 the first locomotive went into service, and the second one followed in 2004. Both are now in service for rail4chem. In summer 2005 two more arrived (with one more to follow), but 2001 and 2002 were out of service after incidents. Until September 2006 the numbers 2006-2008 were delivered.

Numbers 2000 and 1001326 are of subtype G2000-1 with narrow cabin, 2002-2008 are of subtype G2000-3 with wide cabin and driving position on the right. They mainly operate international container trains. The ones with narrow cabin have been returned during 2007 and 2001 in early 2008. Nr. 2008 went to Veolia in Germany in July 2008, nr. 2002 was returned at the end of 2008. In July 2009 also nr. 2004 went to Germany, to DE (also Veolia).
At the moment only nrs. 2003/2005-2007 are still in service.