Drive Line - 156 Super-Sprinter

156 »   Under the floor »   Drive Line • Couplings • Under frame photos

The drive line in a Class 156 is basically the same as class 150/1, 150/2, 153 and 155 Sprinters. It consists of Cummins engine, Voith Gearbox and Gmeinder Final Drives. Both axles of the inner bogie are powered.

This combination was first used on the Netherlands Railway's class DH1 and DH2 'Wadloper' units and sucessfully trialled on prototype BREL Sprinter 150.001.

Engine

Cummins 14 litre NT-855-R5 Engine as fitted to class 156 units.

It is a six cylinder, four stroke, turbo-charged diesel engine, giving an output of 213kW at 2100 rpm.

In the view above the gearbox is to the right.

The Radiator side of the engine.

Engines painted Red have been reconditioned by LH Group. The W500 signifies a 500 000 mile warranty.

The large white 'bottle' is an oil filter

This is the flywheel end of the engine. The gearbox is connected to this by a cardan shaft.

As can be seen, the engine is not horizontal, but lies at a 10° angle.

This is the front end of the engine.

The alternator is connected to this end by another shaft.

The pulleys are driven by the camshaft and power the water pump, air compressor and fuel pump.

Voith T211r Gearbox

The Gearbox on a 156 is hidden between the Radiator and the Exhaust silencer. The one pictured is under a class 153 unit, and the engine is to the right.

The T211r "turbo-transmission" has one torque converter and one fluid coupling and speed-stage changes are provided by filling and draining hydraulic circuits. This is done automatically depending on road speed.

This is the output end of the gearbox, nearest the bogie. To the left of the output flange is the reversing mechanism.

Gmeinder Final Drive

The powered bogie has final drive units on both axles.

The picture shows the inner final drive where it is connected to the gearbox via a cardan shaft. The inner and outer drives are also connected by cardan shafts.

Alternator

The alternator lies almost centrally under the vehicle.

It can be seen from the left-hand side through the gap between the auxilliary heater and the engine air filter.