Class 20, awesome locomotives. 7000hp and a lot of noise. This due to the system to feed the thyristor control which needed AC as input. As the catenary is 3000V DC a way was needed to create this AC, and because static inverters were not yet up to the standards in the 1970s this was done by a large DC motor driving an alternator. The three phase current was fed into the thyristor control and the rectified to DC again. Not very efficient, prone to breakdown, especially in the first years of operation from 1977 on, and as said very noisy. But I loved them for their noise and looks. They were developed for this route which trough the years always needed the newest and most powerful in tractive power, like the steam locomotives classes 10, 36, 1 and 5, and the electrics 23, 26 and 20.
fantastic info on the traction Tom....most appreciated as it all goes down in my notes to look up if I need too....Once again many thanks and sincere regards to you....Mark
Class 20, awesome locomotives. 7000hp and a lot of noise. This due to the system to feed the thyristor control which needed AC as input. As the catenary is 3000V DC a way was needed to create this AC, and because static inverters were not yet up to the standards in the 1970s this was done by a large DC motor driving an alternator. The three phase current was fed into the thyristor control and the rectified to DC again. Not very efficient, prone to breakdown, especially in the first years of operation from 1977 on, and as said very noisy.
But I loved them for their noise and looks.
They were developed for this route which trough the years always needed the newest and most powerful in tractive power, like the steam locomotives classes 10, 36, 1 and 5, and the electrics 23, 26 and 20.
fantastic info on the traction Tom....most appreciated as it all goes down in my notes to look up if I need too....Once again many thanks and sincere regards to you....Mark
Gare encore 'dans son jus'', avec une voie de débord et une de croisement !? Jplobet, rail miniature mosan Namur
I am quite surprised that the station has not succumb to modernisation....Many thanks and best regards to you....Mark