China Railways SS8

SS8
Power type	Electric
Builder	Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works
Model	SS8
Build date	1994 –
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Length	17,516 mm (57 ft 5.6 in)
Locomotive weight	88 tonnes (87 long tons; 97 short tons)
Electric system	25 kV 50 Hz AC
Current collection method	Overhead lines
Power output	3,600 kW (4,830 hp)
Tractive effort	208 kN (46,760 lbf) starting 126 kN (28,330 lbf) continuous at 100 km/h (62 mph)
Locomotive brakes	Air and dynamic

The SS8 is a 25kV 50 Hz AC electric locomotive used on the Peoples' Republic of China's national railway system. The only route they were used on was the Jingguang line, the railway line linking Beijing West Railway Station with Guangzhou, Guangdong.

The SS8 is based on its predecessor, the SS5, and was developed and built by CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Works. A total of 245 (0001–0243, 2001–2002)^{[citation needed]} SS8s have been built since 1994. Batch production commenced in 1997.

On June 24, 1998, the SS8 broke the Chinese rail speed record by achieving a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) on a test run between Xuchang and Xiaoshangqiao. The locomotive used was fleet number 0001.

Allowance of KCR

When the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway was electrified, China Railway extended Through Trains into Hong Kong via KCR East Rail. These trains initially had an SS8 locomotive, however, their pantographs are considered harmful to KCR's catenary. So for a long time, DF11 locomotive were used. After KCR provided their technical requirements of HK-compliance pantographs to China Railway, the company adapted some ot their SS8's in order to meet the pantograph requirements. As of March 2010, the SS8 is still the only allowed China Railway electric locomotive in Hong Kong.

References

• Official product specification