RENFE Class 354 - Background and Design

Background and Design

Delivered between 1983 and 1984, these engines provide a total power of 4,171 hp (3,110 kW), a figure never before reached by any other Spanish locomoitive The units have two cabins, like the predecessor Class 353, the twin engined / twin hydraulic transmission design from Krauss-Maffei can be traced back in Spain to the single cabined RENFE Class 352 and the RENFE Class 340, and further back to the DB Class V 200 of the Deutsche Bundesbahn.

The locomotives represent a steadily increasing requirement for engine power, from the Class 352, to the Class 353, and then to these engines, with over 800 hp more power. Such high power was needed to drag the new Talgo tilting trains, which thanks to their natural pendulation system can be used with higher lateral acceleration than conventional trains, passing through curves at up to 25% faster. With these locomotives a maximum speed of this train was originally 180 km/h (110 mph). Later in July 1986 a simple change of gearing and the fitting of the 'ASFA 200' safety system enabled the maximum speed of these locomotives to be raised up to 200 km/h (120 mph).

The only other diesel locomotive in RENFE's fleet with a maximum speed of 200 km/h (120 mph) is the more recent diesel electric RENFE Class 334, however this locomotive has a lower engine power, further reduced by the requirement to provide an electrical supply for the carriages, giving it a disappointing acceleration performance in comparison.

Initially, they were delivered in the same livery as the TALGO pendular, i.e. white and blue. Later they received the Grandes Lineas livery, also based on white and blue, (in July 1998 354-003 was the first to receive it). In 2004 the logo 'Talgo' was removed from the sides of the locomotives - a minor change.

The class later received improvements such as sound-proofing of the cabin and air conditioning equipment (fitted on the roof).