Belgian Railways Class 50 (diesel loco)

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Co′Co′
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Length	20.16 m (66 ft 2 in)
Width	2.91 m (9 ft 7 in)
Height	4.25 m (13 ft 11 in)
Loco weight	123.5 t
Fuel type	Diesel

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel
Builder	Cockerill
Build date	1969 (rebuilt from 200.001/5101)
Total produced	1

Class 50
Class 50
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Diesel
Builder	Cockerill
Build date	1969 (rebuilt from 200.001/5101)
Total produced	1
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• UIC	Co′Co′
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Length	20.16 m (66 ft 2 in)
Width	2.91 m (9 ft 7 in)
Height	4.25 m (13 ft 11 in)
Loco weight	123.5 t
Fuel type	Diesel
Maximum speed
Performance figures
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph)
Power output	4000 hp ≈ 2940 kW
Operators
Career
Operators	SNCB/NMBS
Class	50
Number in class	1
Numbers	5001
Disposition	Reinstated to HLD 5101

The NMBS-SNCB HLD 50 locomotive was a high-powered testbed locomotive, converted from HLD 201.001 in 1969.

History[edit]

NMBS-SNCB wanted to gain experiences with high-powered diesel locomotives, with a possible order following if the tests would prove successful. As locomotive 200.001 was due for a large revision it was decided to rebuild this locomotive with a 4000 hp Cockerill engine. It was planned to give the locomotive the number 200.101, but as the rebuilding took some 2 years and a half, much longer than expected, it was directly given the new number 5001, in line with the large renumbering in 1971.

Apart from the new 16-cylinder engine it was also equipped with electric train heating, which replaced the steam generator.

Career[edit]

After the locomotive was converted it was first trialled and put in commercial service. During both trials and commercial service it proved to be very unreliable and was spending more time in workshops than it was running on the track.

In 1976 the trials were stopped as NMBS-SNCB decided that it didn't need a high-power diesel locomotive anymore. Upon this decision it was first stabled at Kinkempois workshops and later at the shed in Latour.

After some time the locomotive was sent to the Salzinnes workshops to be converted back into a standard class 51 locomotive. It received the engine of HLD 5176 which was damaged in an accident, but whose engine was still intact. In 1980 it was back put into service as a standard class 51 locomotive under number 5101.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

"HLD 50". belrail.be (in French).
"Fiche van de reeks 200/HLD 51 van de NMBS". ho-modelspoorwegen-modelbouw.be (in Dutch). Archived from the original on October 2, 2011.