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DB Class 120

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Deutsche Bundesbahn Baureihe 120
120 105-2 with an InterCity from Berlin to Cologne, 2013.
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderBBC, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, Krupp
Build date1979–1980 (120.0)
1987–1989 (120.1)
Total produced65
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo′Bo′
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Length19.20 m (63 ft 0 in)
Loco weight84.0 t (82.7 long tons; 92.6 short tons)
Electric system/s15 kV 16⅔ Hz AC Catenary
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motorsFour
Loco brakeKE-GPR, electric brakes
Train brakesAir
Safety systemsSifa, Indusi
Performance figures
Maximum speed200 km/h (124 mph)
Power output5,600 kW (7,500 hp)
Tractive effort340 kN (76,000 lbf) Max
215 kN (48,000 lbf) @92.6 km/h (58 mph)
Career
OperatorsDeutsche Bundesbahn
Deutsche Bahn AG
Class120
Withdrawn2011 - 2023
Dispositionretired

The DB Baureihe 120 is a class of electric locomotives operated by DB Fernverkehr in Germany. In November 2023, the last locomotives of this series were decommissioned by Deutsche Bahn. A few were sold to private railway companies and are operational.

Background and design

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The locomotives' prototypes, delivered in 1979 (Mark 120.0), were one of the first electric locomotives with three-phase motors controlled by thyristor-based power electronics. This principle, mainly devised by the german branch of swiss-based Brown, Boveri & Cie lay the foundation for all current electric and diesel-electric rail engines. For this, the Mark 120 is often acclaimed as milestone in locomotive technology. They were based on experiments made in the 1970s with diesel-electric test platforms (Mark DE 2500/ DB Mark 202). In Norway, a new four-axle Locomotive, Mark El-17, was launched during 1983 with top speeds up to 93 miles per hour (150 km/h).

The design was intended to be the first truly universal locomotive, capable of pulling fast passenger trains as well as heavy freight trains. While the electric equipment exceeded expectations, the mechanical part suffered from its lightweight construction necessitated by the heavy electronics of the time.

After extensive tests, a series of 60 locomotives (Mark 120.1) were ordered in 1984 and delivered in 1986–1988. Original plans to build up to 2,000 machines were ultimately ended by DB's privatisation. The 120s went to DB Fernverkehr, the other divisions of Deutsche Bahn ordered locomotives that featured technologies from the 120, but were not direct successors. However, the mark 120 engines formed the foundation for the power cars of the german high-speed trains ICE 1 and ICE 2

Technical data

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120.0 120.1
General
Operator DB =>
Manufacturing year 1979-19xx 1986–1988
Number of manuf. 5 60
Supplier mechanical part Henschel, Krauss Maffei, Krupp =>
Supplier electrical part BBC, Siemens, AEG =>
Axle arr Bo-Bo =>
Weight 84.0 t (82.7 long tons; 92.6 short tons) =>
Axle load 21.0 t (20.7 long tons; 23.1 short tons) =>
Max tractive eff 340 kN (76,000 lbf) 340 kN (76,000 lbf)
Max speed 280 km/h (170 mph) 200 km/h (120 mph)
Body
Length 19,200 mm (63 ft 0 in) =>
Bogie distance 10,200 mm (33 ft 6 in) =>
Height over pantograph 4,375 mm (14 ft 4.2 in) =>
Body width 3,000 mm (9 ft 10 in) =>
Coupling buffers and chain =>
Surface smooth steel sheet =>
Colour wine-red beige red, white
Bogies
Track width 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge =>
Wheel base 2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in) =>
Wheel diameter, new 1,250 mm (49.21 in) =>
Primary suspension coil =>
Secondary suspension coil =>
Brake shoe, rheostatic, regenerative shoe, regenerative
Bogie Weight 15.96 t (15.71 long tons; 17.59 short tons) =>
Min hor radius 100 m (328 ft) =>
Electrical equipment
Catenary voltage 15 kV =>
Catenary frequency 1623 Hz =>
Max cont power 4.4 MW (5,900 hp) =>
Traction motor QD646 BQg 4843
Max power trainheating 900 kW (1,200 hp) =>
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References

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