VR Class Dr16

Class Dr16
Three Dr16s heading a freight train at Hangas, near Pikkarala, northern Finland, 2001
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Valmet Oy, Tampere (numbers 2801–2809) Transtech Oy, Otanmäki and Taivalkoski (numbers 2810–2823) Oy Strömberg Ab, inverters, generator and motors Serial number 2801-2823 Build date 1985–1992 Total produced 23
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft) Wheel diameter 1,250 mm (49.21 in) Length 17.60 m (57 ft 9 in) Width 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) Height 4.73 m (15 ft 6 in) Axle load 20.5 t (20.2 long tons; 22.6 short tons)/21 t (21 long tons; 23 short tons) Loco weight 82 t (81 long tons; 90 short tons)/84 t (83 long tons; 93 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Pielstick 12PA4-V-200VG Wärtsilä Vaasa 8V22 (2803/2804) Transmission Inverter-driven three-phase AC induction motors
Performance figures Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph) Power output 1,677 kW (2,249 hp) (1,500 kW (2,000 hp) 2803/2804) Tractive effort 270 kN (61,000 lbf)
Career Operators VR Group ArcticRail Class Dr16 Number in class 18 Numbers 2805–2823 Nicknames Iso Vaalee (Big White) Locale northern and eastern Finland Delivered 22 April 1985-30 June 1992 First run 1986 Last run 7 September 2025 Restored 2024- Disposition In service

The Dr16 is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built for VR Group. The 23 locomotives have a single, off-centre cab. Their nickname is "Iso Vaalee" (Big Blonde). They are presently mainly used on heavy freight services in northern Finland; their main passenger duty is the haulage of trains on the non-electrified line between Kemi and Kolari in Lapland.^[1] Dr16 locomotives were also used extensively on the line between Oulu and Rovaniemi, prior to the completion of the electrification of the line in 2004.^[2]

VR plans to retire its Dr16 locomotives by the end of 2025.^[3] Dr16 2819 and 2821 are reserve locomotives at Oulu Nokela depot

In the beginning of the 1980s, Valtionrautatiet needed new locomotives to replace its aging Dr12 and Dv12 class diesel locomotives.^[4] The company had installed a bigger engine on a Dr12 (which became the Dr15) and modified one Dv12 to run on electricity instead of diesel.^[5] However, the company wanted a totally new locomotive, and finally chose Valmet's type M in 1983, with Strömberg providing the electrical components.^[6] VR originally ordered 23 locomotives,^[7] with an option of 20 more when the first series were delivered.^[8]

It was originally planned that two locomotives would be first built as prototypes,^[7] the first of them being fitted with a Wärtsilä engine and the second one with the Pielstick.^[9] When the first prototype ran on its own on 22 April 1985 for the first time,^[10] there was a Pielstick engine under its engine cover, because the Wärtsilä one had proved three tons too heavy.^[9] When completion of the Wärtsilä engine was delayed a second time, the second prototype was also fitted with a Pielstick. ^[11] Due to these engine problems, the number of prototypes was extended to four in January 1986.^[11] The locomotives, numbered 2801–2804, were taken into service in 1985–1987:^[12] the first two had a Pielstick engine, the latter two a Wärtsilä.^[11] On 13 March 1989 VR confirmed that Pielstick engines would be fitted on all the upcoming locomotives.^[13] The Wärtsilä engines were kept on the two prototypes, as refitting them would have been too costly.^[14]

After an extensive testing programme, the 19 series locomotives were delivered between 1990 and 1992.^[15] The manufacturer had anticipated a larger series to be ordered to replace old heavy line diesels (Dr12 and Dr13); however, the rapid progress of the electrification of Finnish main lines decreased the need for new heavy diesel locomotives and thus no further orders materialized.^[13] The locomotives were designed and assembled in Finland, either by Valmet Oy at Tampere (numbers 2801–2809) or by Transtech Oy at Otanmäki and Taivalkoski (numbers 2810–2823).^[16]

Originally the engines were planned to be of Finnish design (Wärtsilä Vaasa 8R22), but after tests with two prototype locos, the engine type was changed into French Pielstick 12PA4-V-200VG.^[17] The Pielsticks produced originally 1,660 kilowatts (2,230 hp), but in 1997 they were limited to an output of 1,500 kilowatts (2,000 hp) to increase durability.^[18]

The locomotive was very modern at its time and it was among the first^[7] to use microprocessor-controlled GTO thyristor inverter-driven three-phase asychronous AC motors.^[19] The construction is modular,^[20] and data is transmitted via optical fiber cables between modules.^{[citation needed]} The maximum speed is 140 kilometres per hour (87 mph).^[21] The maximum frequency of the inverters corresponds to 156 kilometres per hour (97 mph), and the locomotive has reached that in test runs.^{[citation needed]} The locomotive provides 400 kW 1500 V electricity for heating of passenger cars.^[22]

The first two prototypes were painted in a white/red livery to go with VR's recent InterCity brand, showcasing the VR logo next to the cab.^[23][24] The final livery (starting from number 2803) added some grey on the side of the engine covers.^[25] Two of the locomotives (numbers 2816^[26] and 2819^[27]) have been repainted in a new white/green livery in 2010 and 2011. These have been called Iso Kalpee (Finnish for "Big Pale") by railroad enthusiasts.^{[citation needed]}

Of a total of 23 built locomotives, five Dr16:s have been withdrawn from service and/or scrapped. This includes all of the prototype locomotives (numbers 2801–2804), which were withdrawn between 2004 and 2009.^[28][29]

In addition to the prototypes, one series locomotive, number 2814, was scrapped in 2000 after sustaining serious damage in a level crossing accident near the municipality of Ii.^[28][30] After the accident, the obstruction clearing device of the Dr16 was redesigned and strengthened according to the recommendation of the accident investigation board.^[28][30]

Private railway company ArcticRail acquired a single Dr16 locomotive from VR Group in 2024.^[31]

Sources: Pentikäinen 2006, pp. 40, 50, 60, 100, 128; Isovaalee.info

Also known as type N locomotive (Finnish: N-veturi) or Dv13. It is a smaller work locomotive that implements some of the components of the Dr16.^[32] The two locomotives share also the same computer system.^[32] It is owned nowadays by Maansiirto Veli Hyyryläinen Oy (part of Destia group).^{[citation needed]}

Valmet originally prepared the Dr12 to be modified as a full electric locomotive while building it, designing it for speeds up to 180 km/h (110 mph).^[33] It was estimated that the electric and diesel variants would share 80% of their parts.^[34] However, VR finally ordered the Sr2 locomotives from SLM and ABB.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to VR Class Dr16.

• "Finnish Diesel Locomotives". 4rail.net. Dr16. Archived from the original on 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2011-01-17.