[KR] Driver training with Korail's new 8500 freight locomotive
update 2012|10|18
[KR] Driver training with Korail's new 8500 freight locomotive
Currently, Hyundai-Rotem and Toshiba are building 87 new six-axle electrics for the railways of South-Korea, Korail. This new 8500 series freight locomotive, will initially replace the early members of the 8000 series. At the moment they are being used on driver training with an empty stock four-car set to provide braking sequence experiences. At least three different rakes are being utilized (no passengers inside). The 8500 is now delivered in batches of three or four locos at a time and stored locally until homolgation. The image shows unit no.8521 during driver training and homolgation on the Korail Jungang Line near Jecheon. - PGG
2012-07-07
[KR] About the new Korail 8500 series freight locomotive
update 2012|07|07
[KR] About the new Korail 8500 series freight locomotive
In 2010/2012, the railways of South-Korea (Korail) ordered 87 new electrics, to be built by Hyundai-Rotem and with Toshiba from Japan as subcontractor for the key electrical parts. The first units of this new sex-axle freight locomotive type were released from the factory earlier this year, and are now testing on the South-Korean network. The video shows locomotive no.8501, but also the 8502 has been portrayed already.
2012-03-19
[KR] 8500 series; the new electric freight locomotives for South-Korea.
update 2012|03|19
[KR] 8500 series; the new electric freight locomotives for South-Korea.
Indeed, these very first images prove that the new series of electrics for Korail from South-Korea will form the new 8500 series. In total 87 (56+31) units are on order / in production. We hop eto bring more images soon. - PW
2012-03-16
[KR] Toshiba/Hyundai Rotem; 31 freight locmotives extra for Korail
update 2012|03|16
[KR] Toshiba/Hyundai Rotem; 31 freight locmotives extra for Korail
Eight days ago, Toshiba from Japan announced 'that it has won a second major contract from South Korea's Hyundai Rotem Company for the supply of key electrical parts for 8500 series electric locomotives for Korean Railroad Corporation (Korail).'
Toshiba is already working on traction drives and auxiliary power supply systems for an inital batch of 56 locomotives. At the time this order was announced, the freight locomotives got a 8300 series designation. Before delivery this was changed.
2010-03-31
[KR] Korail orders 56 new electrics
update 2010|03|31
[KR] Korail orders 56 new electrics
Hyundai Rotem from South-Korea will built 56 new electrics for the national railways Korail. Toshiba Corporation will supply key electrical equipment and systems for these electric locomotives, starting in May 2011 and continue through to April of 2012. These new units, with 6600 kW and a Co'Co' wheel configuration will form the new 8300 class and will be used for freight services. - toshiba.co.jp
When looking at the artist impression, we can conclude that the Koreans do not put much effort in finding their own identity when it comes down to exterior design. Appearantly they don't feel the need to hide where they got their knowlegde from... Like with the KTX-2 high speed trains, it is still easy to see that these modern developments have their roots in Europe. Like the Korail 8100 and 8200, the 8300 class resembles the exterior construction of the Siemens EuroSprinter ES 64 F type, also known as DB 152 series.
2009-04-14
[KR] greetings from South-Korea
update 2009|04|14
[KR] greetings from South-Korea
We got the first picture from South-Korea! It shows Rotem-built unit 8244 during a stop in Dongdaegu Station. In the mean time we know that in 2008 another 28 of these machines have been built for the Korail railways, Korail, designated 8256-8283. - SP