2007-03-29 - Bombardier has developed the world’s first universal train that can run without stopping on all three power supply alternatives: diesel, AC and DC power – a breakthrough made possible by unique ABB transformer technology.
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Editorial services
For decades rail operators all over the world have dreamt of a train that could run on all three power alternatives and switch effortlessly and efficiently between diesel, AC and DC power.
With the launch by Bombardier of the AGC XBiBi (which stands for bi-mode and dual voltage) that dream has now been realized, thanks to a unique ABB technology – the roof-mounted traction transformer.
Previously the traction transformer (which powers the train with AC power) and the diesel engine were mutually exclusive because they occupied the same position in the train.
ABB solved the impasse by developing a traction transformer that could be installed on the roof of the train, thereby freeing up space inside for the diesel engine.
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ABB traction transformers are compact, lightweight and failsafe
Crucially, the roof-mounted traction transformer has no impact on the speed, acceleration, performance or seating capacity of the train itself.
Developed for SNCF
The AGC XBiBi was developed for the French national rail operator SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français), whose extensive network in 21 regions uses all three power alternatives.
Of the 29,500 kilometers of track in the SNCF network, 15,800 km are not electrified, 5,800 km are electrified at 1.5 kV DC and 7,900 km at 25 kV AC.
One route, one train
A route like Marseille to Geneva via Grenoble, for instance, is part diesel, part AC and part DC, which means that prior to the AGC XBiBi passengers had to change trains whenever the regional power system switched from, say, diesel to AC. With the AGC XBiBi, a single train can now run the entire route, regardless of power system.
The AGC XBiBi is based on Bombardier’s AGC (autorail à grande capacité) family of trains, a versatile platform that consists of diesel, diesel/AC and AC/DC variants. Bombardier is currently delivering 612 AGC trains to SNCF. ABB is supplying the traction motors for all 612 trains, the generators for the diesel variants, and the traction transformers for the AC trains.
ABB is the world’s leading supplier of traction transformers with a fifty percent share of the world market, and has strategic alliance contracts with the world’s leading rolling stock manufacturers, including Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens and Stadler Rail.
Click here to read more about ABB’s
traction transformers for Bombardier AGC and AGC XBiBi trains.