The AD43C is a type of mainline 6 axle Co'Co' diesel locomotive designed by
Alstom
Alstom SA () is a French multinational rolling stock manufacturer which operates worldwide in rail transport markets. It is active in the fields of passenger transportation, signaling, and locomotives, producing high-speed, suburban, regional ...
and used by the
Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (abbreviated as IRIR, or sometimes as RAI, or as IRI Railway) () is the national state-owned railway system of Iran. The Raja Passenger Train Company is an associate of the IR, and manages its passenger t ...
(RAI). It was in production from 2000. Delivery started in 2002.
Alstom designated the vehicle with product code Prima DE 43 C AC.
Background
In 1998 GEC Alstom won an order valued at $125 million (later valued at €192 million
) for the supply of 100 mixed use locomotives for
Islamic Republic of Iran Railways
The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (abbreviated as IRIR, or sometimes as RAI, or as IRI Railway) () is the national state-owned railway system of Iran. The Raja Passenger Train Company is an associate of the IR, and manages its passenger t ...
. The first 20 units were to be manufactured at Alstom's factory in
Belfort
Belfort (; archaic , ) is a city in northeastern France, situated approximately from the Swiss border. It is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Territoire de Belfort.
Belfort is from Paris and from Basel. The residents of the city ...
, France, the remainder at
Wagon Pars in Iran.
After production of an initial batch by Ruston the remaining engines were to be built by
DESA in Iran under a technology transfer agreement.
Design
The locomotives are a 6-axle Co'Co' twin cab design, incorporating a
RK 215 engine with a power at rail of .
After premature failures both in engine and turbocharger RAI has de-rated the engine power gradually up to 2400 Kw.
Three variants were produced, a passenger version with a top speed and a axle load, and two freight versions with a top speed and either a axle load.,
Only two prototypes of ballasted locomotives had been introduced;as, the ballasts limited the engine room space and higher center of gravity raised concerns, the ballasts were later removed completely. The passenger locomotives were later assigned for freight service because of low reliability and introduction of more reliable ER24PC locomotives.
Current conditions
As of the early of 2016 only a third of AD43C locomotives are in revenue service. These locomotives have undergone substantial modifications since RAI put them into service. Most of the out of service locomotives have been cannibalized for salvaging components to make operation of the in-service locomotives possible. As maintaining of the locomotives in service out-costs their revenue, Iranian railways has decided to retrofit these locomotives with other engines.
See also
*
Iranian locomotives
While passenger trains are operated by private operators, motive power is generally provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI). Additionally, Alborz Niroo Equipment & Railway Fleet Company runs frei ...
*
IranRunner
The IranRunner, also known as the ER24PC and Iran Safir is a single cab diesel electric passenger locomotive manufactured by the Mapna Locomotive Engineering and Manufacturing Company and Siemens.
History and design
In 2006 Siemens, Mapna and the ...
Notes and references
Notes
References
External links
*
;Images
RAI locomotives ''railfaneurope.net''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ad43c
Alstom Prima diesel locomotives
Diesel–electric locomotives of Iran
Co′Co′ locomotives