Kraków 2024-11-25

Electric Locomotives ET42.

The ET42 Electric Locomotive is a heavy electric locomotive, two-unit. The locomotive was designed and manufactured in the Moscow State at the NEWZ Novocherkassk Locomotive Production Plant, under the designation 112E. Production lasted from 1978 to 1982. 50 units were built, only for PKP for Poland. The Muscovites wanted to block the production of the Polish heavy locomotive ET41. In railway jargon, the ET42 locomotive is called; “Rusek”, “Chapayev”, “Submarine”.

The ET42 locomotive is a two-unit vehicle. Axle arrangement Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’. Service weight is 164,000 kg. Length 30.88 m. Wheel diameter 1.25 m. The locomotive has 8 electric motors type NB-508A. Continuous power 4,480 kW. Hourly power 4,840 kW. The transmission is with a ratio of 86:25. Design speed 100 km/h. Oerlikon and ElectroDynamic brake. The ET42 locomotive was developed on the basis of the Soviet locomotive ВЛ10 (WŁ10).

In 1969, the electrification of most railway lines in Upper Silesia and the Upper Silesia – Port Gdynia Coal Trunk Line was completed. The ET21 locomotives, which had been produced since 1957, at PaFaWag were sent to the routes. However, it was noticed that heavier and more powerful locomotives could be used. Since 1969, ET22 locomotives were produced at PaFaWag. Since 1977, two-unit HCP ET41 locomotives were produced. But the Muscovites did not like Poland’s independence in the field of producing its own locomotives. First, Poland was forced to buy ET40 locomotives, produced in Czechoslovakia, and then to buy Soviet ET42s, which were previously to receive the ET41 designation in Poland.

The first ET42s began service on PKP in May 1978. On January 1, 1979, PKP had 3 locomotives, and on January 1, 1980, only 9 copies. This meant that the Soviets had great difficulty fulfilling the order. The last of the 50 ET42s were delivered to Poland in April 1982. All the locomotives were assigned to the Zduńska Wola Karsznice locomotive depot, which was justified. Four locomotives were involved in accidents. In 2009, all 46 ET42 locomotives were put on the Karsznice yard. However, in June 2011, the locomotives were gradually restored to service. In 2024, the locomotives can still be found on rail routes. The ET42 locomotive is characterized by its simple design. The ET42 is equipped with a connector for heating passenger cars (!?), but why.

ET42-008 carries the numbers EVN: 91 513 160 033-9 (PL-PKPC A), EVN: 91 513 160 034-7 (PL-PKPC B). The locomotive was built in 1979. In December 1979, it was assigned to MD Karsznice. Since 1999, it has served in the Rolling Stock Plant in Łódź. Since 2013, it has served in PKP Cargo Śląski Zakład Spółka in Tarnowskie Góry. Initially, the locomotive was green, until 2016. Then in blue, PKP Cargo.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman