The first domestic electric-powered locomotives appeared in the 30s of the last century. But the mass development of cars of this class began only after 20 years. One of the most common locomotives powered by AC power is the VL80 series electric locomotives.
Development and modifications
Projects of all machines in the series were developed by the employees of the Institute of Electric Locomotive Engineering. The production of electric locomotives was carried out at a specialized factory in Novocherkassk, and the plant manufactured mechanical elements and main electric motors on its own. Elements of the electrical system were supplied from other related enterprises. A photograph of the first instance of an electric locomotive of a new family, taken on one of the railways of the Rostov region, is presented below.
The first electric locomotives were assembled in 1961. Machine production lasted more than 30 years, during which various design changes were made.
Reinforced traction
One of the later modifications was the VL80s electric locomotive, produced since 1979. The main feature of the machine was the ability to work in several sections. The locomotive was controlled centrally from any cab. The first copies could work only in a double and quad version.
In 1982, prototypes of electric locomotives VL80s appeared, which could work as part of assemblies of two, three or four separate parts. Serial production of modernized machines began next year - with a copy with serial number 697. According to the passport documentation, the maximum working weight of the electric locomotive grew to 192 tons.
Subsequently, the early machines were refitted in a similar way during scheduled and overhauls. The only difference between these machines is the lack of rheostatic braking in the third section. In total, 2746 VL80s model cars were assembled, the last instance was shipped in 1995 at the Khabarovsk-2 depot. At the same time, it became the latest electric locomotive of the VL80 family. Currently, the machine is assigned to the Liski depot of the Southeast Railway. A photo of the electric locomotive is presented below.
Design
The device of the VL80s electric locomotive was based on the technical solutions of the previous 80t model. All electrical control circuits were equipped with reusable circuit breakers. The channels of the ventilation system were reduced in size and moved to the roof, which allowed for more free passage along the left corridor inside the electric locomotive. The photo below shows a car with serial number 18, assigned to the Karasuk depot of the West Siberian Railway. Despite the age, the electric locomotive is in active use.
The machines used the so-called cradle suspension, in which the cart of the electric locomotive VL80s was connected to the body on four spring-loaded rods. The rods had a slight inclination to the central part of the trolley to compensate for body vibrations.
Brake system
One of the key changes in the design of the VL80s was the introduction of a rheostatic braking system. Such a brake is based on the absorption of braking resistors generated by the deceleration of electricity. Resistors have two switchable resistance stages. To switch traction motors from the power supply to the resistors, so-called brake switches are used.
When braking, the field windings of the motors are connected in series to the rectifier installation of the field excitation system. This system allows you to smoothly control the degree of excitation in the engines switched to the generator mode, by changing the degree of braking of the VL80s electric locomotive. When braking, the air supply switches from the ventilation system to the brake resistors. The control unit for the braking system is installed only in the head section of an electric locomotive.