Electric locomotive 141

The electric locomotive of the 140 series was developed on the basis of cooperation between the Czechoslovak industry and Swiss technical solutions from Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik and Société Anonyme des Ateliers de Sécheron implemented in an electric locomotive Ae 4/4 .

Even before the start of operation of the 140 series, it was clear that we needed a locomotive based on our own technical developments, since the plant would not have to pay royalties to the patent holder, however, if possible, the maximum degree of unification of the units and parts of the two series of the 140th and 141st. The development of a new electric locomotive was launched in 1952. The Sécheron clutch was replaced with a design of its own design, there were also other changes in the mechanical part and the electric circuit of the locomotive. The prototype, designated E 499.101, was released in April 1957. He went into mass production in 1959-1960, even before the completion of the prototype tests. Since the series of an incompletely tested electric locomotive went into operation, defects began to be detected, including design defects in traction electric motors , bogies, and wheelsets . In addition, problems with the insulation of electrical machines were identified. In the 1980s, many electric locomotives during repairs received new carriage frames from 122 electric locomotives ^[1] .

Although the electric locomotive was developed as a universal locomotive, it was used primarily as a passenger. It was supplanted from the freight transportation sphere by more powerful six-axle electric locomotives, which can realize significantly higher traction forces ^[1] .

The wagon layout body with two driver’s cabs at the ends of the locomotive rests on two biaxial bogies . Two-stage suspension. The entrance to the engine room through the cabs, the entrance to the cabs through the doors on the left side in the direction of travel. The control panel is located on the right side of the cab. A refrigerator, a wardrobe and a washbasin sink are located in the engine room from cab 2. In the back, in the engine room there are 4 rectangular windows, one of which opens (the prototype of the electric locomotive was similar to the 140 series electric locomotive) ^[1] .

Traction electric motors are mounted on all four wheelsets , the engine mount is frame-mounted. Sécheron coupling replaced by ŠKODA Chadži coupling (developed by engineer Chadži). The torque from the TED to the wheelset is transmitted through the clutch and a single-sided gear. There are 4 small sandboxes on the trolley frame. The total stock of sand on the locomotive is 320 kg ^[1] .

Electric locomotives were put into operation at the locomotive depots of Usti nad Labem and Prague . When dividing the locomotive fleet at the time of the collapse of Czechoslovakia, they all remained in the Czech Republic. Later, electric locomotives of these series appeared in the depot of the stations Hradec Kralove and Ceska Třebov . By 1993, there were 57 electric locomotives of this series in operation, and in 2000 there were 38 electric locomotives, and only 25 of them were operated this year. The remaining electric locomotives are excluded from the inventory and many of them have already been cut into scrap metal ^[1] .

Operating electric locomotives are causing complaints from locomotive crews. The cabins are noisy and dusty, quite crowded, the refrigerator is located in the engine room. Difficult access to individual components of the locomotive, in particular to the panel with fuses for control circuits and auxiliary circuits. In addition, in terms of reliability, the machine is significantly inferior to modern series of electric locomotives ^[1] .