Laubag, Germany

Delivery: 2001-2008

The Deutsche Bahn AG, Vehicle Maintenance, Cottbus Works (DB AG Cottbus), and Kiepe Elektrik in Düsseldorf have modernised the EL 2 electric locomotives of the Lausitzer Braunkohle AG (LAUBAG) with place of business in Senftenberg/Germany.

The result of corresponding studies by LAUBAG has shown that it is more economical to modernise up to 53 locomotives than to acquire new ones.

The former Kombinat VEB Lokomotivbau-Elektrotechnische Werke Hans Beimler (LEW) had started with the construction of the EL 2 electric locomotive in 1953. The industrial locomotive is used in open-pit coal mining. A locomotive with a service weight of 100 t usually tows 16 coal wagons with a total weight of approx. 1,600 t on the LAUBAG rail network. The operation on the DC 2.4 kV LAUBAG route system takes place in conformance with the BOA (Construction and Shop Rules for Branch Lines).

The main aims to be achieved by this modernisation are:
- Increase of availability of vehicles
- Reliable supply of spare parts
- Reduction of maintenance
- Energy saving within the traction range
- Automation of loading and unloading procedures of coal trains
- Increase of operational reliability
- Improvement of travel and operating comfort for the engine driver.

In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, both the mechanical and the electrical part were modernised by revised design. The DB AG is responsible for the upgrading of the mechanical part. Kiepe has newly developed the electrical equipment, except the four DC traction motors which had to undergo to general overhauling for continued use.

The new design of the electrical part contains mainly the following components:
- Two 2.4 kV-IGBT-choppers, liquid-cooled, with recuperation, for the
  control of the four traction motors.
- Four brake resistors which are integrated in the bogies.
- Liquid-cooled static converter for auxiliary power supply with 3 AC 400 V
  and DC 24 V.
- High-speed DC 2.4 kV circuit breaker.
- Adaptation to the slow-speed device in the coal loading station of the
  LAUBAG (slow-speed operation).
- Kiepe On-Board Communication and Control System including
  slip-slide protection and traction control for two vehicle operation.
- Vehicle diagnostic aid.
- Air conditioning system for driver`s cab.
- Driver?s cab equipment with two operating desks.
- Radio control.
- Complete vehicle cabling and assembly.

Two series-connected DC traction motors are controlled by one liquid-cooled 2.4 kV-IGBT-DC chopper each. The drive is designed as redundant concept, securing that in case of malfunction one drive group gets automatically switched off and the locomotive continues to run without problems.

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