Renfe Class 340

The Class 340 of Renfe (4000 under the previous numbering scheme) were a class of 4-axle diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Krauss-Maffei (and Babcock & Wilcox) for the Spanish Railways. The design is similar in outward appearance and technology to the DB Class V 200. 32 units were built.

Renfe Class 340
Renfe 340 020 (previously 4020) in the National Railway Museum in Madrid
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-hydraulic
BuilderKrauss-Maffei 4000 to 4010[1]
4011 onwards: Babcock & Wilcox[1]
Build date1966[2]
Total produced32
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICB'B'
Gauge1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in)[2]
Length19.75 m (64 ft 9.6 in)[1] (20.35 m or 66 ft 9.2 in over buffers[2])
Width4.25 m (13 ft 11.32 in)[1]
Height4.35 m (14 ft 3.26 in)[1]
Loco weight88 t (87 long tons; 97 short tons)[1]
Fuel capacity5,000 L (1,100 imp gal; 1,300 US gal)[1]
Prime mover2 Maybach diesel model MD 870 [2]
CylindersV16[1]
TransmissionHydraulic Maybach Mekydro K 184 BT[1][2]
Performance figures
Maximum speed130 km/h[1][2]
Power output2 x 2,000 hp (1,500 kW)[1][2]
Career
OperatorsRenfe
LocaleSpain
Last run1987[3]

Background and History

The locomotives had a total power of 4,000 hp (3,000 kW) from 2 motors (each a 16-cylinder Maybach/Mercedes Benz MD870) diesel engine. Hydraulic transmissions used were two Mekydro K184.

The contract consisted of a series of 32 units which were shipped between 1966 and 1969, ten manufactured in Germany by Krauss-Maffei and the remaining twenty-two manufactured Spain by Babcock & Wilcox. The locomotives were similar to the V 200.1 Series of the Deutsche Bundesbahn, but with more power, more weight and slightly longer.

The units were conceived as locomotives for passenger services, with a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), but then were also used for freight trains which together with inadequate maintenance led to many failures in this series.

None are currently in service and 30 of the 32 units have been scrapped, the 4020 (Renfe 340 020) is in the Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid[3] and the 4026 (Renfe 340 026) is in the process of being restored by the AZAFT (Asociación Zaragozana de Amigos del Ferrocarril y Tranvías).

References
  1. Serie 340 (ex 4000) Class 340 (formerly 4000) wefer.com
  2. RENFE 340 v200-116.de
  3. Colecciones: Sala de Tracción – Diesel: 4020 Krauss-Maffei Archived 4 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine museodelferrocarril.org

Further reading
  • RENFE 340 LA TRACCION DIESEL, ISBN 9788495493149, Author(s): Josep Miquel & Eduard Ramirez
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