BR143 (BR243 : DR)

Class 143 (002-370/551-659/801-968 : 646 locomotives)

With the finish of electrification between Berlin and Dresden just around the corner, DR needed new powerful and fast locomotives which could be operated for both passenger trains and goods trains. In 1982 an experimental locomotive -class 212 001 (This locomotive is now charged by ADtranz) - was built by LEW. The looking and mechanical system of this loco were similar to those of class 250 (Now class 155). Two years later, the mass-production was started. DR replaced steam locos, diesel locos and old electeric locos like class 294 (old E94) to the new locomotives - class 243. Until 1990, 646 locomotives of class 243 were made, and they were renumbered to class 143. Class 143 can be classfied in three types. The design of class 143 550 was changed from the original version of class 143, 143 800 cannot adjust to trains which were hauled by two locomotives. And all versions of class 143 can propel. The performance of class 143 have many things in common ,so DR lent some locomotives of class 143 to DB even before the unification of DB and DR. These locomotives are still used in the Rhein-Ruhr area and in the suburb of Nürnberg, and have S-Bahn livery. The livery of some locomotives of class 143 in old DR area became DB`s standard livery from 1992, and from 1996 some locomotives was painted in the latest livery of DB. The length of class 143 is 16,400mm, wheel arrangement Bo-Bo, weight 82.5t, power output 3,720kW, acceleration rate of 240kN, and m/ax speed 120km.

Pictures of class 143

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