For those who wonder where PrimaII prototype no.1 is, we can tell you the answer. The body of this machine, also without bogies and pantographs, is stored in Belfort on the outer perimeters of the Alstom factory. It has completed its function as prototype and will not run again. Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

The other two pictures show the same locomotive during 'lauftechnische Versuchsfahrten' between Roth and Donauwörth. These are held on 05/06/11/12.06.2012. The locomotive has measering-wheels under bogie no. 1. - AD Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

'Europorte, the rail freight subsidiary of the Eurotunnel Group, and Alstom have signed a partnership agreement covering the maintenance of 17 Alstom manufactured Prima locomotives now operated by Europorte.

Within this framework, the two partners will improve the management and availability of the Europorte locomotive fleet. To do this, they will analyse existing processes; optimise maintenance cycles, interventions on the locomotives and the equipment of the maintenance sites. They will work to reduce the transport to depot time and the locomotive down time to generate significant productivity improvements.

With the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) now applicable to the Channel Tunnel, the two partners are planning to organise homologation tests for the new generation of Alstom Prima II locomotives in the autumn of 2012.' Europorte E37500 Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

Nevertheless, it has started, Prima II no.2 is no longer in Wegberg-Wildenrath, that slowly became its home base. In January it visited DB Systemtechnik in Munich, and then ended up in Minden, again at DB Systemtechnik.

According to what Alstom told us at t&l in Munich in May 2011, first stage of the homologation program includes Germany and France. For 2013, they also want to add Belgium and the Netherlands to the Prima II profile. Let's see what will happen. Hopefully, with the Prima II, Alstom will be able again to compete with 'Made in Germany'. Always good to have some decent competition. - TG/AH/DSO

Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

However, PrimaII did make some progress in 2011. As far as we know there are two silver prototypes of the four-system PrimaII locomotive; Number one (91 87 0 047 501-8) was presented in June 2009 at Belfort. Number two (91 87 0 047 502-6) attended Innotrans 2010. There has been some discussion about a third unit for test and trial purposes but this information has never been confirmed.

In 2011, the second prototype has been used for all trial and presentation purposes (again AFAWK). Number one only appeared to us in Austria in March. Partially dismantled it was sent to Vienna for climate tests at the welknown Railtec Arsenal (RTA). Results of these tests under extreme weather conditions were used for the projects in Kazachstan (KZ4A and KZ8A).

Number two had Siemens test center in Wegberg-Wildenrath as home base for 2011 (It arrived on 09.12.2010). On 01.07.2011, Alstom invited the international press for a presentation on the progress of the PrimaII project for Europe; Alstom expects to be able to offer full homologation for Germany and France by the end of 2012. Next to a 140 kph freight version, still a 200 kph version is planned for mixed/passenger services.
On 03.08.2011, PrimaII-2 left for Minden (DB Systemtechnik), for the first trails on Germany's public network. On 22/23.09.2011 it returned to Wegberg-Wildenrath for test with E 37 530 and freight waggons. Since then it is quiet. - WS/HP/BNA

On 12.01.2012, a PrimaII locomotive was transported from Munich (DB Systemtechnik) to Minden (DB Systemtechnik). Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

Since december 2009, it is very quiet around this platform from Belfort. Last time we saw one, was in March, when the 47501 arrived in Vienna, for climate-tests. Alstom now states that it plans on having it fully homologated for France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany in 2013. And that they have almost finished the development of new, high speed bogies. Alstom: "lately, the design and development department is fully occupied with the large locomotive orders from Russia and Kazachstan. So capacity for the PrimaII project is limited. Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

Initially the Prima-II project was started to catch up with competitors as Siemens and Bombardier, at this moment dominating the (European) market for multi-purpose electric locomotives. However, in 2008 the economical crisis started making the Prima-II project THE key project with which Alstom wants to show that it dares to innovate in times of crisis and send the meassage to operators that they are ready for the next decade, ready for better times ahead.

The No.1 prototype is a four-tension locomotive predominantly concepted for international operation on the main European freight corridors. It can run under four different voltages; 25kV AC / 6400kW - 15kV AC / 6400kW - 3kV DC / 6000kW and 1,5kV DC / 5600kW. It has a top speed of 140 kph.

During the test runs we learned the most about the driver desk of the engine. One of two cabs is fitted with the EU - driver desk (EUDD) which is now under development. The situation as it is on the Dutch BetuweRoute was simalated during the run, while the machine was hauling a 750t freight train. At Wegberg-Wildenrath, also a EUDD simalator has been built, which together with the one on the locomotive itself was evaluated extensively by train drivers from nine different European countries, like Hungary, Italy, France and the Netherlands.

A remarkable detail was that the No.1 prototype stands on the bogies of the Prima 6000 prototype, which in 2009 was fully dismantled. The remains (an almost empty body) of this engine is now stored in Belfort.

For 2010, Alstom has confirmed that it will outshop prototype No.2. It will be shown at the Innotrans 2010 railway fair in Berlin. For sure, this engine will incorporate many design improvements based on the experiences in with unit No.1. For example, the in-cab noise levels still need some attention; Alstom admitted that the construction used for the back wall in the cab had to be revised. The configuration of unit No.2 will be different; it will be able to run 200 kph making use of the Astride (SNCF BB 36000 series) bogie design.

First practical tests that are part of the final homologation phase of PrimaII are planned for late 2010 and 2011. Alstom wants to start with Germany, France, and the Benelux first, however, the final planning is a point of discussion. Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

Speaking of Wegberg... The Prima II prototype left the test tracks for some days last week. These images show the unit leaving the location for some maintenance. - WS Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

Alstom unveiled the Prima II locomotive prototype on Wednesday 3 June. It will be transferred from the Belfort centre of excellence (France) in June to Wildenrath in Germany for a series of running trials. The locomotive will then move into the certification phase and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2011, in time to take advantage of the anticipated pick-up in freight and passenger traffic. The new Prima II locomotive can operate perfectly between the different national rail networks, and offers operators the possibility of adjusting its configuration during its lifetime. From the outset, the Prima II design has focused on ease of use and maintenance by public and private operators.

Developed using equity capital, the locomotive combines simplicity of manufacture with the standardization of main equipment. The Prima II retains great modularity to meet increasingly specific customer requirements. Equipped with the latest developments in power electronics (IGBT inverter), it can operate on four different voltages (25 kV, 15 kV, 1,500 V and 3,000 V) and thus easily cross borders in Europe. On these voltages, and depending on the configuration selected by the customer (goods or passenger transport), the locomotive has a power output of 6.4 MW and runs at speeds of 140 to 200 km/h. The buffers on the frame absorb the energy of impacts, ensuring the safety of onboard personnel and equipment.

As well as integrating the TrainTracer onboard diagnostic system, Alstom Transport provides its customers with operations-related services, from spare parts to the complete maintenance of a fleet. Particular attention has been paid to the cab interior to improve driver comfort including noise insulation and air conditioning. Driving ergonomics are optimized to meet the future UIC612 standard, which aims to standardize drivers’ desks for improved interoperability.

With its new design, the Prima II is immediately identifiable as a train from the Alstom Transport range. Like all the company’s prototypes - and especially the AGV - its livery is metallic grey and dark blue. Designed and assembled at the Belfort site, a Centre of excellence for locomotives, the Prima II has also benefited from the expertise of other Alstom Transport sites in France (Le Creusot, Ornans, Tarbes, and Villeurbanne) and Belgium (Charleroi). Even before the prototype was delivered, 20 Prima II locomotives were ordered by Morocco's Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) in November 2007, where they are intended for use in freight and passenger transport operations. Delivery is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2009.

- Alstom Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502

On May 20th Alstom revealed the Prima Nouvelle Generation, or Prima II so to say. Railcolor.net was present when the locomotive was revealed and had the opportunity to speak with the people responsible for the design and development of this new French locomotive platform. In the upcomning days we will report on this event and show you the interesting details. Lets start with the official Alstom press statement:

Prima II on alstom.com Prima II Prototypes 47501/47502