SJ Rc


The SJ Class Rc is the most used electric locomotive in Sweden. Rc is a universal locomotive used both in freight and passenger trains. The largest operator is Green Cargo, although SJ, Veolia Transport, Tågåkeriet, Hector Rail and the Swedish Transport Administration operate it as well.

History

The Rc-locomotive first appeared in 1967 to replace the 1950s Ra-locomotive, the 1940s F-locomotive and the older D- and Da-locomotives. The locomotives are notable for using thyristors instead of the older diode based system.

Usage

As of 2020, Rc-locomotives are used all over Sweden in both passenger and freight lines.

Versions

Altogether there have been 8 versions of the Rc-locomotive in Sweden including the freight locomotive Rm designed to pull iron ore trains. Rc1, Rc2, Rc4, and Rc5 have a maximum allowed speed of 135 km/h. Rc3 and Rc6 have a maximum allowed speed of 160 km/h. Rc7 was a rebuild of Rc6 meant to haul replacement trains needed when the X 2000 trains were canceled or delayed. Rc7 had a maximum allowed speed of 180 km/h. However, the maximum speed permitted without emergency electromagnetic track brakes is 160 km/h, and converting the carriages proved too expensive. For that reason all Rc7 were subsequently converted back to Rc6. Rc1–Rc7 all weigh between 75 and 80 tonnes, whilst the Rm weighs 90 tonnes. The Rm's top speed is only 100 km/h, but due to the nature of their work, they are more powerful locomotives.

Exports

Engines based on the Rc design were sold to other countries. The Austrian Federal Railways bought 10 Rc2 with extra brakes for the alpine conditions, ÖBB Class 1043. One of the locos was badly damaged in an accident but the remaining nine have been bought by the Swedish company Tågåkeriet i Bergslagen AB, and returned to Sweden. A slightly altered Rc4 has been sold to Norwegian State Railways of Norway, known as El 16. The RAI 40-700 class of eight engines were exported to Iran in the early eighties for use on the electrified stretches near the then-Soviet border; these were based on Rc4 but with Rm-type bogies, sand-proof air filters and no round windows on the side. In 1977, an Rc4 was tested in the United States for use with Amtrak's passenger trains. The Rc4 engine proved successful and would become the basis for the AEM-7.

Refurbished units

42 class locomotives are being refurbished by Bombardier for Green Cargo. They include various upgrades and are now known as class Rd.
ModelOperatorBuiltYearsPowerTop speedNote
SJ Rc1Green Cargo201967–683,600 kW135 km/h
SJ Rc2Green Cargo, TågAB, Infranord1001969–753,600 kW135 km/h
SJ Rc3SJ AB and Green Cargo
Hector Rail 		331970–713,600 kW160 km/h23 rebuilt from Rc2, 13 later sold to Green Cargo and Hector Rail
ÖBB Class 1043Tågab and Swedish Rail Administration and TGOJ91971–734,000 kW135 km/h
SJ Rc4Green Cargo1301975–823,600 kW135 km/h160 km/h for Rc4P
SJ RmGreen Cargo619773,600 kW100 km/hCargo-only locomotives for use on the Ore Route.
NSB El 16CargoNet171977–844,440 kW135 km/h
AEM-7Amtrak, SEPTA, MARC651978–885,200 kW201 km/hRetired with original operators since 2018, 6 SEPTA units on temporary lease with NJ Transit Rail Operations
RAI 40-700 classIslamic Republic of Iran Railways819823,600 kW100 km/h
SJ Rc5Swedish Transport Administration 601982–863,600 kW135 km/hAll now converted to Rc6
SJ Rc6SJ AB and Swedish Transport Administration 401982–863,600 kW160 km/h60 rebuilt from Rc5
SJ Rc7SJ AB220013,600 kW180 km/hRebuilt from Rc6, all now converted back to Rc6

Gallery