The eight EU43s running for Rail Traction Company (RTC) came from a order for fifty modern electrics placed by the Polish railways in 1996. Due to an unclear combination of financial, contractual and technical difficulties, Bombardier had to find an alternative customer for these machines. They were taken over from Bombardier (Adtranz at that time) in 2001 and 2002.
[IT] RTC EU43-007 in new livery: red > blue gradient striping
update 2017|07|27
[IT] RTC EU43-007 in new livery: red > blue gradient striping
EU43-007 at Vado Ligure - 26.07.2017 - Photo: Giorgio D'Alessandro
The fleet of Lokomotion and RTC is getting more devirse by the day. Last week we reported about the 4 (!) different liveries applied on the eight new Vectron locomotives, now we have documented the third 'Zebra' color variation for a RTC EU43 series locomotive. The images in this post show the freshly overhauled EU43-007, the one machine is its type that had red painted cabs, in its new zebra livery that is both red and blue. The colors mix using a gradient, something we did not see before on a Lokmotion/RTC locomotive. So the 007 remains unique!
Today, RTC EU43-004 presents itself in its new livery. Bombardier has compelted the R2 revision on the locomotive in Vado Ligure, and now the machine has the white/red 'zebra design. Photo: Giorgio D'Alessandro
An overview of the eight machines of this type being operated by RTC:
EU43-001: RTC livery
EU43-002: RTC livery
EU43-003: First seen 09.2016, blue striping
EU43-004: First seen 01.2017, red striping
EU43-005: First seen 03.2016, red striping
EU43-006: First seen 01.2016, red striping
EU43-007: still in its PKP livery
EU43-008: First seen 06.2016: blue striping
The blue striped EU43-004 is featured in this video by Alexander Schmitt:
A nice surprise: [IT] Bombardier is currently overhauling the RTC EU43 series. EU43-005 and -006 have already been completed and left the workshops in Vado Ligure in a new white livery with red striping. Now EU43-008 is the next to see the light again, but in white with blue stripes and the logos of RTC's partner company Lokomotion.
RTC's EU43-005 is the second locomotive if its batch to return from overhaul R2 at Bombardier's Vado Ligure factory. Like the EU43-006 it now has red 'zebra' striping. (Michael Goll). Michele Sacco already created the visual of this new livery:
Dawn, this morning. A crispy image of the recently overhauled (R2) and repainted RTC EU43-006. This work was done in Vado Ligure and the revision was completed at the end of December. It is the first locomotive of its kind in this 'zebra' livery. (Riccardo Mainoldi)
RTC Locomotive EU43-001 is back in service. After being damaged in Brixen in 2012, the loco was completely revised at Bombardier's plant in Vado Ligure. Bombardier focused at underbody components, bogies and roof. The top picture shows the machine completed (although having logos/numbers yet at the 'damaged side') in Vado Ligure.
FuoriMuro operates a new freight services from Marseille, via Ventimiglia to Castelguelfo. However, the Ventimiglia Parco Roja yard has 1,5kV DC overhead wiring, for what the Siemens ES 64 U4 are not approved. FuoriMuro therefore had to send a diesel locomotive along. Now they hired EU43-005 and -007 (yes the red one) from RTC, to have a more efficient solution. - LF/MT
update: The title photo shows unit EU43-007 arriving (today) in Mortara for the first time. - LP
RTC EU43
2012
2012-06-06
[IT] RTC train derails at Bressanone / Brixen
update 2012|06|06
[IT] RTC train derails at Bressanone / Brixen
Today, just before noon, RTC EU43-001 and its freight train derailed in the station of Bressanone/Brixen [IT]. Of course, the cause of the accident is not clear yet, but eye witnesses talk about the first freight car of the train loosing a wheelset. Eight cars derailed and the locomotive derailed. Two people suffer from shock and mild injuries.
Leading EU43-001 partly landed upon the station platform nearby. As a result, the Brenner line was cloed for two hours. Stol.it has images. RTC also published an item on its website. - GI
RTC EU43
2012-05-17
[AT/IT] RTC EU 43 homologation trials in Austria
update 2012|05|17
[AT/IT] RTC EU 43 homologation trials in Austria
Meanwhile, Lokomotion wants its Eu43 locomotives homologated for Austria. Images of various trials have been published, we have one of EU43-006 with EU 43-005 and 185 665 at St.Jodok. - TG
RTC EU43
RTC EU43: background
By February 2001, Italian operator RTC had a license for both domestic Italian and international freight services, however, the more complex process of obtaining safety certification was not completed until October 2001. In that period, RTC was searching for locomotives to start its services with, something that proved to be difficult when you are one of the first open-access operators in the area. That made the superfluous EU43s an unique opportunity for RTC to obtain eight units that got exactly that configuration needed for international services between Italy and Austria, as they were dual-system units for both the 3 kV DC and 15 kV AC catenary systems.
With some hick-ups commercial services with the EU43s started on 01.12.2001. As the base design of the EU43s had Italian roots (they are based on the Trenitalia E412 series design), it was relativily easy to adjust them for this new customer. Only the cab interior orientation (from right to left) had to be changed, together with technical parameters, but the construction could stay the same. In the end, RTC took over all eight units. - source: Eisenbahn Revue / Railwaygazette
Up til now (March 2011), RTC only uses the EU43s on Italian soil. Geniune multi-system usage is therefore still out of the question. All eight machines still run under their original Polish designation, with a supplemental RT-marking (identifier for RTC) up front, obligatory for running in Italy. At this moment seven units have a two-tone green-blueish livery with RTC logo. Only unit EU43-007 still has the orginal PKP-livery, with red painted cabs.
As EU43-001 to 003 were built by Adtranz in Vado Ligure, they have works numbers of this factory: 7468-7470. The five units assembled in Poland, using kits from Vado Ligure, have different numbers on their factory shields. For example unit 005: Type 112E - Nr 05 - Rok 2000. - Bombardier
Alstom
