DBAG Class 128

DBAG Class 128 AEG/Adtranz/Bombardier 12X
128 001 in UNICEF special livery in 1996.
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder AEG Schienenfahrzeuge Serial number 22500 Model 12X Build date 1994 Total produced 1 Rebuilder Adtranz Rebuild date 1998
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter new: 1,250 mm (49.2 in) worn: 1,170 mm (46.1 in) Wheelbase in bogie: 2,600 mm (102.4 in) Length 19,500 mm (767.7 in) Axle load 21 tonnes (23 short tons) Loco weight 85.9 t (94.7 short tons) Electric system/s original: 15 kV/16.7 Hz AC catenary after reconstruction: 15 kV/16.7 Hz and 25 kV/50 Hz AC catenary Current pickup(s) pantograph Traction motors three-phase asynchronous induction motors type: AEG BAZu 8881/4 rating: 1,840 kW (2,470 hp) Loco brake regenerative, wheel tread
Performance figures Maximum speed achieved in tests: 283 km/h (176 mph) design: 250 km/h (155 mph) service: 220 km/h (137 mph) Power output continuous: 6.4 MW (8,600 hp) short-term: 7.2 MW (9,700 hp) Tractive effort starting: 300 kN (67,400 lbf) continuous up to 90 km/h (56 mph): 250 kN (56,200 lbf) Brakeforce regenerative: 250 kN (56,200 lbf)
Career Operators AEG, Deutsche Bahn (lease), Adtranz, BLS (lease), DB Cargo (lease), BASF (lease), Bombardier Transportation Class 128 001-5 Official name 12X Current owner Bombardier Transportation

128 001, as registered at Deutsche Bahn, or 12X, as named by its manufacturer AEG Schienenfahrzeuge and its successive owners ADtranz and Bombardier Transportation, is an experimental high-performance electric locomotive built in 1994, which was operated as testbed and test locomotive until 2010. The design of the locomotive featured several technological innovations, including power electronics using new types of semiconductors and water cooling, a new final drive concept, a new bogie concept, and protruding windflaps for improved aerodynamics that gave the locomotive a unique look.

The development of the locomotive was initiated in anticipation of a major tender for universal locomotives by German railways, but moved towards a modular design when the railways moved towards tendering different types of locomotives for different services. The 12X was the basis of a locomotive class for medium-weight freight trains, the DBAG Class 145, the further development of which ultimately led to Bombardier's TRAXX modular locomotive product platform.

DB Class 120 was the first locomotive class of West German federal railway Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) with three-phase asynchronous AC induction motors, and also the first implementation of the concept of the universal locomotive, which is suited for freight, passenger and express service alike. DB received the five prototypes from 1979, and all Germany-based locomotive manufacturers were involved in the delivery of the 60 series locomotives from 1987. In 1991, DB requested bids for an initial 500 universal locomotives with an improved design and a continuous power increased from 5.6 to 6.4 MW (7,500 to 8,600 hp), the planned DB Class 121. Former East German state railways Deutsche Reichsbahn also considered purchasing 200 units.