GM DIESELLOCOMOTIVES

IN LUXEMBOURG

1.CLASS 1600

Built 1955 Anglo-Franco-Belge(mechanical parts)/GeneralMotors EMD(electric parts)

Co'Co'

Driving wheel Dia:1010 mm

Engine:GM 16-567C 1750 PS/1265 kW

Transmission: elektric

Weight:108 t

Length over buffers:19007 mm

Max. Speed:120 km/h

The CFL had 4 locos Class 1600. In 1954 the international trains had a speed of at least 80 km/h. The CFL needed heavy Diesellocomotives to replace the old steamlocomotives of the Classes 55,56. In spring 1955 the first 1600er was delivered. The class 1600 was immediatelly used on passenger and freight services on the North Line Luxembourg-Gouvy and at night on heavy freight trains in the mining south of the country.
In the first years the 4 class 1600 locos did a lot of kilometres (1000000 to 1200000 a year). The locos were regularly seen in Germany(Trier) Belgium(Athus, Gouvy) and France(Longuyon). In 1964, with the arrival of Class 1800, these locos overtook the North Line trains from Class 1600.

In 1984 1601 was retired after 2147128 km and scrapped in 1989. The rest 3 locos survived till 1994 when de DMU 628.4 did the working services to Trier.

3 Class 1600 locos are preserved:: 1602 in Belgium where it has number 202.020; 1603 at the Vennbahn(Begium-Germany); 1604 Ministry of Cultural Affaires of Luxembourg. It is regularly used for special trains.

2.CLASS 1800

Built:1963 mechan. Parts: BN electr. Parts: ACEC/SEM

Engine: GeneralMotors/EMD GM 16-567C 1950 PS/1435 kW

Co'Co'

Transmission: electric

Driving wheel Dia:1016 mm

Weight: 110 t/114 t with heating

Length over buffers: 19550 mm

Max. Speed: 120 km/h

The CFL Class 1800 does all jobs on the CFL network; passenger, express and freight trains. It operated the whole CFL lines; to the north towards Gouvy, to Germany via Wasserbillig, to Belgium via Kleinbettingen/Arlon, to Petange and Rodange and in the industrial dominated south around Esch sur Alzette. Only in 1989 with the electrification of the North Line the class 1800 disappeared hauling passenger trains Luxembourg-Troisvierges and Luxembourg-Gouvy, now done by Class 3600 and 3000 (electric locos) and by EMU's class 2000 and the older EMU's class 250 and 260.

Today the 18 surviving locos of class 1800(1811 and 1813 scrapped after accidents) are hauling heavy freight trains(especially towars Belgium via Kleinbettingen and in the south around Esch sur Alzette)and several passenger trains. Since the Summertimetables of 2000 the 1800 don't pull any passengertrains. Even in freight services the CFL GM's got a new and heavier challenge because the CFL rented 6 Siemens ME 26 (Siemens Dispolok) . You can see the CFL class 1800 today in the south of the country (Esch/Alzette,Bettembourg,Petange) and in Luxembourg City (Depot and shuntingyard). In 3 years the CFL have the intention to replace the class 1800 when there are Diesellocomotives with 3500 kW on the market.

3. CLASS 800

Built:1954 by AFB

Bo'Bo'

Driving wheel Diameter: 1050 mm

Weight: 74 t

Max. Speed: 80 km/h

Engine: 8-567-B EMD General Motors 800 PS

Transmission: elektric

In the 50's theCFL purchases switchers to replace the unprofitable steam engines in the yards. The CFL choosed the Typ "Export G8" from GM built in Europe by the Belgian Company Anglo Franco Belge(AFB). These locos are similar to US switchers class SW8. The CFL is the only Railway Company in Eurpe operating the "Export G8" loco. The 6 locos of Class 800 are still doing their job in the different CFL yards.

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