In 1998, OSE (Organization of Railroads in Greece) started receiving the brand-new Adtranz DE2000 diesel-electric locomotives, which were ordered at a cost of DM 210 million in 1995. These dual-engine dual-cab locomotives were relatives to classes like the PKP EU43 and the Italian E412, and were a derivative of the Octeon platform. The use of dual prime-mover engines was unusual (complete with separate alternators etc.), as there were stringent reliability specifications from the customer. The MTU 12V396TC13 engine was essentially the same as in the AEG/LEW-built InterCity DMUs introduced a decade before, as the commonality was desirable, and the pair delivered 2.1 MW (if train heating was used, it could 'eat' up to 500 kW, as there is not a separate generator - the power is drawn from the intermediate DC link). The engines can shut down and start-up automatically on demand, resulting in a more economic operation.

Another interesting capability is that these locomotives are 'convertible' to straight electric 5.5 MW locomotives with maximum speed of 200 km/h (the running gear can already accomodate the higher speed and horsepower), by replacing the machine room. In reality, these locomotives are not expected to ever run as straight electrics, as there is a surplus of "Hellasprinter" locomotives and the electrification of the Greek mainline proceeds at a very slow pace. These locomotives used steel bodies from Pafawag in Poland, aluminum roof panels from Derby in UK, AC motors and alternators from Adtranz Austria, the bogies are Flexifloat (built at Kassel), etc.

The class leader was A-471, and the order concluded with the A-496, making it the largest single class order of OSE, at 26 locomotives. Later, an order for ten copies of 6-axle metre gauge variant for the Pelopónnesos network were converted to an order for ten standard gauge 4-axle locomotives, this time to Bombardier, which had absorbed Adtranz. This raised the total to 36 locomotives, and the need for common parts with the first batch meant that their MTU engines were produced past their legal permission due to new Euro regulations.

In general, the public liked these locomotives very much thanks to their quiet operation and high speed and acceleration (and an attractive livery added more to their image - their nickname is "Marlboro", which can be explained if you look at these head-on). After Athens Olympic Games in 2004, the class started being renumbered with 6-digit numbers as class 220, so A-471 became 220 001 until the A-496 (which became 220 026), while the second batch from Bombardier came directly with the 6-digit numbers.

Text: Nick Fotis

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Liveries

Original version

The first 26 machines were delivered as such, with service number A 471 to A 496. The second batch was delivered with the old logo but with new 220 series numbers.

New OSE logos

A new corporate identity means a new logo, in orange and blue. This visual also displays the new 220 series numbers. In order to help with the high temperatures, the grilles below the diesel exhausts got little covers (or 'ears'). The first batch was delivered without the covers, the second batch with ears inclusive.

Technical Details

Fleet List