British Rail Class 21 (MaK)

This article is about 1990s-era locomotives used by DB Cargo France and Eurotunnel. For diesel locomotives built 1958-1960, see British Rail Class 21 (NBL).

British Rail Class 21 (MaK)
NS 6450 in 2009 - this locomotive was subsequently procured by Eurotunnel[1]
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-hydraulic
Diesel-electric
BuilderMaK, Kiel, Germany
ModelDE6400
DE1004
G1206
G1000
Build date1990-92 (diesel-electric)
2005-06 (diesel-hydraulic)
Total produced10 (diesel-electric)
6 (diesel-hydraulic)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo'Bo'
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter1,000 mm (39.37 in)
Length14.7 m (48 ft 2+3⁄4 in) (21/5)
14.09 m (46 ft 2+3⁄4 in) (21/6)
14.4 m (47 ft 2+7⁄8 in) (21/9)
Width3.3 m (10 ft 9+7⁄8 in)
Height4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Loco weight87 t (86 long tons) (21/5)
80 t (79 long tons) (21/6)
90 t (89 long tons) (21/9)
Prime moverCAT 3512 B DITA-SC (21/5)
MTU 8V 4000R41L (21/6)
MTU 12V 396TC13 (21/9)
TransmissionHydraulic / L5r4szeU2 by Voith
Diesel electric / three phase electrical by ABB Group
Train heatingNone
Loco brakeAir disc (21/5 and/6)
Air (21/9)
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output1,570 kW (2,110 hp) (21/5)
1,100 kW (1,500 hp) (21/6)
950 kW (1,270 hp) (21/9)
Career
OperatorsDB Cargo France
Getlink
Numbers21544-21547
21610-21611
21901-21910[2]

The second use of the TOPS classification Class 21 for locomotives used on the British railway network came through the use of a number of related diesel-hydraulic and diesel-electric locomotives procured following the opening of the Channel Tunnel. The total of 16 locomotives were obtained by two separate operators, with some used for freight, and others to propel service trains and as "Thunderbird" locomotives.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference diesel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ British Rail Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2017. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. 2017. p. 86. ISBN 978-1909431362.