Kraków 2023-09-27
ET42 Electric Locomotives.
The ET42 Electric Locomotive is a heavy, two-unit electric locomotive. The locomotive was designed and manufactured in the Moscow State at the NEWZ Novocherkassy Locomotive Production Plant, under the designation 112E. Production lasted from 1978 to 1982. 50 copies were built, only for PKP Poland. The Muscovites wanted to block the production of the Polish ET41 heavy locomotive. In railway jargon the ET42 locomotive is called; "Rusek", "Chapaev", "Submarine".
The ET42 locomotive is a two-unit vehicle. Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo' axis system. 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 gearbox has 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 ВЛ10 (WŁ10) locomotive.
In 1969, the electrification of most railway lines in Upper Silesia and the Upper Silesia - Port Gdynia Coal Line was completed. ET21 locomotives, which had been produced since 1957 at PaFaWag, were put on the route. However, it was noted that heavier and more powerful locomotives could be used. Since 1969, ET22 locomotives have been produced at PaFaWag. Since 1977, two-unit HCP ET41 locomotives have been produced. But the Muscovites did not like Poland's independence in the production of its own locomotives. First, Poland was forced to purchase ET40 locomotives produced in Czechoslovakia, and then to purchase Soviet ET42 locomotives, which were previously to be designated ET41 in Poland.
The first ET42s began service with PKP in May 1978. In January 1, 1979, PKP had 3 locomotives in stock, and on January 1, 1980, only 9 locomotives. This meant that the Soviets had great difficulty in carrying out their plans. The last of 50 ET42s were delivered to Poland in April 1982. All locomotives were assigned to the Zduńska Wola Karsznice locomotive depot, which was justified. Four locomotives suffered accidents. In 2009, all 46 ET42 locomotives were put on the slope in Karsznice. But in June 2011, the locomotives were gradually restored to service. In 2023, locomotives can still be found on railway routes.
The ET42 locomotive is characterized by a simple structure. ET42 is equipped with a connector for heating passenger cars (!?), but why?
Written by Karol Placha Hetman