Definition
DB Class V 90 is a series of diesel‑hydraulic shunting locomoters built for the Deutsche Bundesbahn (German Federal Railway) between 1961 and 1973. Originally designated V 90, the class was later renumbered to Class 260 under the 1968 DB locomotive classification reform and subsequently to Class 361 after the 1994 reclassification.
Overview
The V 90 locomotives were designed primarily for yard shunting, light freight, and short‑haul duties on branch lines. A total of 281 units were produced by manufacturers such as MaK (Maschinenbau Kiel), Henschel, and Krauss-Maffei. The locomotives remained in service after the formation of Deutsche Bahn AG in 1994 and many have been transferred to private operators or preserved by railway museums. Several units have also been exported or sold second‑hand to other European rail operators.
Etymology / Origin
The “V” in the original designation stands for Verbrennungsmotor (internal‑combustion engine) in the Deutsche Bundesbahn’s pre‑1968 classification system, while “90” indicated the power class, roughly corresponding to a 900 hp rating. After the 1968 renumbering, the same locomotives received the numeric class “260,” reflecting their assignment to the diesel‑hydraulic shunter category. The later designation “361” was introduced as part of the 1994 computer‑based classification, where “3” denotes diesel traction and “61” is the series identifier.
Characteristics
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel‑hydraulic |
| Prime mover | MaK 8V 352 TC or similar, 8‑cylinder, V‑type diesel engine |
| Power output | Approximately 900 kW (≈1,200 hp) |
| Maximum speed | 40 km/h (standard), some units later modified for 60 km/h |
| Transmission | Voith L5 R4 hydraulic transmission |
| Wheel arrangement | B′B′ (two bogies, each with two powered axles) |
| Locomotive weight | 78 t – 82 t, depending on builder and build series |
| Length | 12.7 m |
| Fuel capacity | ~2,800 L |
| Operator | Deutsche Bundesbahn, later Deutsche Bahn AG, and various private rail companies |
| Service entry | 1961 |
| Retirement | Ongoing; many units still in active service or preserved |
The V 90 family featured modular construction, allowing variations in cab configuration, fuel tank size, and auxiliary equipment. Some later batches were equipped with radio communication systems and additional safety devices to comply with evolving railway regulations.
Related Topics
- Deutsche Bundesbahn locomotive classification – The system used by DB before 1968.
- DB Class 260 / Class 361 – Subsequent designations of the V 90 locomotives.
- Diesel‑hydraulic transmission – A type of power transmission used in many German shunting locomotives.
- MaK locomotives – Other locomotive families built by Maschinenbau Kiel.
- Shunting locomotive – General category of locomotives designed for yard and short‑range duties.
- Preserved German railway locomotives – Museums and heritage railways that maintain examples of the V 90.