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| ÖBB 2143 | |
|---|---|
| Name | ÖBB 2143 |
| Powertype | Diesel-hydraulic |
| Builder | Jenbacher Werke |
| Builddate | 1964–1977 |
| Totalproduction | 257 |
| Operator | Österreichische Bundesbahnen |
| Disposition | withdrawn, some preserved |
ÖBB 2143 The ÖBB 2143 is a class of diesel-hydraulic shunting and light freight locomotives built for Österreichische Bundesbahnen in the 1960s and 1970s. Conceived during postwar reconstruction influenced by contemporaneous developments in Germany, France, and Switzerland, the class served across Austrian regions including Vienna, Tirol, and Steiermark. The type shared design lineage with European builders and was employed alongside electric classes during transitions driven by Austrian Federal government policies and European Community transport trends.
The locomotive was produced by Jenbacher Werke with engineering influences traceable to designs used by Deutsche Bundesbahn, SNCF, and SBB CFF FFS, featuring a B'B' axle arrangement suitable for yard operations in places such as Wien Hauptbahnhof, Graz Hauptbahnhof, and Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. The powerplant was a diesel engine coupled to a hydraulic transmission comparable to systems used in locomotives from North British Locomotive and MaK prototypes, delivering horsepower sufficient for local freight and shunting at terminals like Linz Hauptbahnhof and industrial sidings serving companies such as Voestalpine and OMV. Braking equipment incorporated pneumatic systems interoperable with rolling stock standards of UIC member railways, and the cab layout reflected ergonomic trends promoted by unions and inspectorates including the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the International Labour Organization guidelines for operator safety. Maximum speed, tractive effort, weight distribution, and fuel capacity were specified to meet corridor operations between hubs such as Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and regional lines radiating to Klagenfurt and Bregenz.
Production spanned from 1964 to 1977, ordered by Österreichische Bundesbahnen under procurement influenced by ministers in the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology and approved through parliamentary frameworks similar to infrastructure bills debated in the Austrian Parliament. The class entered service amid backdrop events like the expansion of electrification after accords comparable to agreements between ÖBB and neighboring railways including Deutsche Reichsbahn and later DB AG cooperation. Units were allocated to depots in regions including Niederösterreich, Oberösterreich, and Burgenland, and crews were trained in programs coordinated with vocational institutions such as the Vienna University of Technology and workforce initiatives linked to the European Coal and Steel Community transition policies. Over its service life the class saw operational adjustments responding to shifts in freight traffic after milestones like the accession of neighboring states to the European Union and the opening of corridors associated with the Rail Baltica planning era.
Primarily employed for shunting at marshalling yards in centers like Wien Süd, Linz Hafen, and Graz Güterbahnhof, the locomotives also hauled local freight and secondary passenger workings on branch lines serving towns such as St. Pölten, Wörgl, and Leoben. Their deployment intersected with logistics operations of firms including Schenker (company), DB Cargo, and industrial clients such as Siemens facilities and chemical plants near Bruck an der Mur. Operations adhered to safety regimes influenced by agencies like the Austrian Federal Office for Transport and interoperability protocols set by European Union Agency for Railways, ensuring compatibility with signaling systems in corridors connecting to Munich Hauptbahnhof, Venice Santa Lucia, and Zürich Hauptbahnhof through cross-border freight movements.
Throughout their career some units underwent modifications including engine upgrades, transmission overhauls, and retrofits for remote control operations following trends seen in conversions by operators such as DB Schenker, BLS AG, and private Austrian firms like Wiener Lokalbahnen. Variant sub-classes emerged after rebuilding programs influenced by manufacturers like Siemens Mobility and remanufacturers linked to Stadler Rail practices, with adaptations for reduced emissions to align with directives akin to European emissions standards and regional environmental initiatives sponsored by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund. A number of locomotives received liveries reflecting corporate identity changes at ÖBB and paint schemes commissioned for events promoted by cultural institutions such as the Vienna Museum.
Following withdrawal from regular service, selected units were preserved by heritage groups including the Österreichische Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte and railway museums such as the Technisches Museum Wien and the ÖBB museum collections, where they appear alongside exhibits from manufacturers like Jenbacher Werke and contemporaries preserved from Deutsche Bahn and SNCF fleets. Preserved examples are sometimes operated on special charters coordinated with societies like the Feldbahnverein and displayed during events in historic hubs such as Wörgl Bahnhofserlebnis and Salzburg Verkehrshaus, contributing to public education programs tied to institutions including the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sport.
Category:ÖBB locomotives