Locomotives.....
B-B-B Diesel Hydraulic Recording Vehicle
This 450 hp (hence D4.5H) model M1000 'locomotive' appears to have been built by the Swiss firm of Matisa in 1997 (see builders plate). In one sense it is not really a locomotive but rather a test vehicle. Matisa defines it as a 'self propelled multi-function recording vehicle'. The machine is designed to:
1. Measure track geometry
2. Measure rail profile
3. Measure rail corrugations
4. Measure rail flaws using ultrasound
The machine has an unusual (for Vietnam) B-B-B wheel arrangement. Looking at the images above, apart from the colour, there appear to be other minor differences between the unit photographed in Vietnam and the machine as delivered by Matisa (as displayed on the Matisa website). Note the running lights are reversed for example. Underbody details (including bogies) appear different, and the windows along the side are slightly different. I'm just wondering whether there has been more than one delivered. The yellow one looks much 'newer' or more modern. More information when it is available.
Data
(Some of this is 'educated guesswork')
| Model |
M1000 Self
propelled recording vehicle |
| Type |
D4.5H |
| Road Numbers |
D4.5H 001 (are there any
others?) |
| Manufacturer |
MATISA
Matériel Industriel S.A. |
| Country of
manufacture |
Switzerland |
| Year Built |
1997? (have
others been delivered since then?) |
| Gauge |
1000mm |
| Weight |
55 tonne |
| Maximum speed |
100 km/h |
| Wheel
arrangement |
B-B-B |
| Motive power |
Detroit
Diesel rated at 450 hp. |
| Length over
couplers |
16.44 m |
| Minimum curve radius for
measuring |
90 m. |
Image Gallery
The following images were made available on the 'Vietnam Railways Forum'
Engine Images
Steam Locomotives generally used the traditional
French classification system. A steam locomotive with a 2-8-2 wheel
arrangement is classified as 141 class, a locomotive with 4-6-2
wheel arrangement is classified as 231 class etc. Pretty straight
forward, except what did if two classes had a 2-8-2 wheel
arrangement I'm not sure. It didn't happen so wasn't a problem?
Diesel locomotives have a completely dfferent clasification system.
All diesel classes start with the letter 'D' (for diesel?) then a number which I believe is related to the locomotives power output. The third character defines Electric' (E) or hydraulic (H).
e.g. D5H class = Diesel + 500 hp + hydraulic.
Again, what happens if two classes are the same I don't know.
I am still investigating pre 1975 classifications. Some are the same e.g. 141 steam class, and some are different e.g. 'BB' class instead of D9E.
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Railways in Vietnam
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Update October 15, 2010
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