INNOTRANS: The Bison pre-series multi-system electric freight locomotives developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Loco for Rail Cargo Hungaria are envisaged as the basis for a multi-system cross-border modular locomotive family, the company told Railway Gazette at InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin.
The TSI-certified Bo-Bo locomotives are designed for operation at up to 140 km/h and equipped with three pantographs to run under 25 kV 50 Hz and 15 kV 16·7 Hz electrification. They also have a 200 kWh lithium battery pack mounted centrally within the bodyshell to provide an off-wire ‘Super Last Mile’ capability. The 19·4 m long loco is rated at 5 600 kW and has a starting tractive effort of 300 kN. The gross weight is 90 tonnes, giving a maximum axleload of 22·5 tonnes.
According to Lian Tang, Deputy Director of CRRC ZELC Europe, the modular platform has been designed for expansion to suit other applications including passenger services at 160 km/h or potentially up to 230 km/h. Higher ratings of up to 6 400 kW are planned, while the modular structure of the power unit allows for a multi-system variant with 3 kV and 1·5 kV DC capability; single-system versions are also envisaged to suit customer requirements.
Tang explained that ZELC had adopted an ergonomic design for the Bison platform, including a roomy and spacious driving cab providing excellent all-round visibility.
