Information about the Prototype
In 1956 the series production of the first 50 units
of the class V 200 diesel locomotive (redesignated
class 220 starting in 1968) was begun, which deri-
ved from the 5 prototypes that had been tested
starting in 1953. In 1958 a second series of 31 units
was delivered. These locomotives were built by the
companies ATLAS-MaK and Krauss-Maffei.
The V 200 was powered by two V-12 diesel motors
that were delivered by MAN, Maybach (MTU) or
Daimler-Benz (MTU). With an exhaust gas turbo-
charger, each motor provided 1,100 horsepower,
even 1,350 horsepower with the class 221 succes-
sor series (starting in 1962). These immense power
plants with 64.5 liter (approx. 3,936 cubic inches)
and 78.2 liter (approx. 4,772 cubic inches) piston
displacement each had electric starters rated for
13.5 kilowatts (later 20.3 kilowatts). An electric pump
would automatically build up the required motor oil
pressure (advance lubrication). A hydraulic torque
converter, that was filled with oil directly before the
locomotive was started, produced the connection
to the running gear for each truck.
All manuals and user guides at all-guides.com
Running under no load or with a small load, the
locomotive could be operated with one motor; in
normal operation both were used. The motors' rpm
as well as the corresponding motor load for a given
speed was clearly audible in 14 speed levels in the
V 200. For that reason a particularly powerful air horn
was built into each locomotive.
The last class 220 units were taken out of service
by the DB in 1984, the class 221 units four years
later. Several locomotives sold abroad as well as
several German museum locomotives can still be
seen – and heard – today.
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