TCDD DE 24000 Diesel – Electric Engine

 

 

Axles:

Co Co

 

Engine:

Pielstick 16 PA4 V185 VG

 

Weight:

113 t

 

Overall Length:

19,04 m

 

Height:

4,172m

 

Width:

2,7m

 

Gear ratio

83:16

 

UIC power (at 1500 rpm):

1760kW (2400 hp)

 

Speed:

120 km/h

 

Starting tractive effort

394 KN

 

Constant effort

210 KN

 

Fuel capacity:

4960 l

 

Maximum RPM

1500

 

History & Description

 

In the late 1960, TCDD decided for a full dieselisation program of their network. This meant that about 800 mainline steam engines had to be replaced. Along with the engine, a support and maintenance infrastructure had to be set up for the diesel engine.

The tender for this technology transfer was won by a group of French manufacturers led by Matériel de Traction Electrique (MTE). The contract signed on 15 October 1968 between TCDD and MTE provided for:

The group of manufacturers included:

These companies are now all parts of Alstom.

The first locomotive was brought out for tests on 20 February 1970 in France. Subsequently, actual production of DE24000 in Turkey was about 30 units a year over 14 years from 1970 to 1984. A total of 418 units were turned out and it enabled TCDD to remove most of its steam engines. The DE24000 became the emblematic engines of the 1980's / 1990's. They could be seen on all kind of assignments and all around the country.

The engine chosen was the Pielstick 16PA4, a proven engine already in use since 1963 on the BB67000. The electric transmission is AC/DC type with a silicon rectifier. It is similar to the transmission used on SNCF BB67300 since December 1967.

For the bogie, the DE24000 departs very much from French practice: the traction motors are nose-suspended with a single 83:16 reduction. The bogies have an H frame in welded steel plate. They carry the body by a secondary suspension in rubber. The primary suspension is by helical springs offering high elasticity and is controlled by friction dampers.

The locomotive have a narrow body, in the American "road switcher" style. There is only one cab.

The locomotive has a MU capability but it was removed on most of the engines later on. The MU sockets is on the body at the front and rear ends, between the lights.

Some engines used to equipped with a steam generator for train heating purpose, but nowadays they are not being used or removed due to all passenger trains are equipped with generator cars instead of steam generators.

As of 2022, more than 230 units have been retired from service and scrapped.