options
hide options panel
The MZ was the standard Danish main line diesel of the 1970s and 1980s but privatisation, electrification and the headlong rush to operate all passenger trains with DMUs drastically reduced their numbers. DB Cargo still had six available for the Esbjerg freight diversions in 2014 and 2015.
The first ten MZ Class Co-Co diesel electrics were built by Nohab between 1967 and 1969 for the Danish national operator DSB. They were fitted with GM-EMD 16-645E3 engines developing a useful 3250hp and, with a maximum speed of 143km/h, were capable mixed traffic machines. Another 16 locos were built in 1970 to a virtually identical specification.
The third batch, 20 locos built between 1972 and 1974, had the more powerful 20 cylinder version of GM's 645 engine, rated at 3845hp, and a higher maximum speed of 165km/h. A final batch of 15 locos was added in 1977-8 with a slightly different cab and body design but otherwise identical to the third batch.
Of the 61 locos built, many have been scrapped while significant numbers have been exported, primarily to independent operators in Sweden and Australia with a couple each going to Norway and Spain. DSB have retained the first loco, 1401, for their museum fleet and just 6 are in service with DB Cargo, operator of what was DSB's freight business.
The DB locos, all from the final batch, were used on diverted freights between Fredericia and Esbjerg in 2014 and 2015. They were joined in 2014 by the last third series loco in Denmark, privately owned 1439, and in 2015 by the last second series machine in Denmark, 1425, which emigrated to Sweden shortly afterwards.
The third batch, 20 locos built between 1972 and 1974, had the more powerful 20 cylinder version of GM's 645 engine, rated at 3845hp, and a higher maximum speed of 165km/h. A final batch of 15 locos was added in 1977-8 with a slightly different cab and body design but otherwise identical to the third batch.
Of the 61 locos built, many have been scrapped while significant numbers have been exported, primarily to independent operators in Sweden and Australia with a couple each going to Norway and Spain. DSB have retained the first loco, 1401, for their museum fleet and just 6 are in service with DB Cargo, operator of what was DSB's freight business.
The DB locos, all from the final batch, were used on diverted freights between Fredericia and Esbjerg in 2014 and 2015. They were joined in 2014 by the last third series loco in Denmark, privately owned 1439, and in 2015 by the last second series machine in Denmark, 1425, which emigrated to Sweden shortly afterwards.
