Soviet locomotive class VL19

The VL19 (Cyrillic script: ВЛ19) was the first class of electric locomotives designed in the Soviet Union. Earlier classes had been designed in the United States and Italy. The VL19s were produced from 1932 to 1938 and became the main freight and passenger DC electric locomotives in the Soviet Union. They were built for 1,500 volt DC but some were later converted to dual voltage. The designation VL was in honour of Vladimir Lenin and "19" Indicates a 19-ton axle load.

VL19 or ВЛ19
Electric locomotive VL19-14
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Kolomna Locomotive Works Build date 1932 to 1938 Total produced 145
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft) Wheel diameter 48 inches (1,219 mm) Axle load 19 t (19 long tons; 21 short tons) (?) Loco weight 114 t (112 long tons; 126 short tons) Electric system/s 1.5 kV DC Overhead line Some dual voltage: 1.5 and 3 kV DC Current pickup(s) Pantograph Traction motors 6 x 340 kW (460 hp) Gear ratio 3.74:1
Performance figures Maximum speed 85 km/h (53 mph) Power output 2,040 kW (2,740 hp)
Career Preserved 2

Equipment

The locomotives had a Co-Co wheel arrangement and there were six 340 kW traction motors giving a total output of 2,040 kW. The gear ratio was 3.74:1 and the wheels were 48 inch diameter. Following the introduction of 3,000 volt DC electrification, some locomotives were converted to dual voltage, 1,500 or 3,000 volt DC.

Preservation

Two locomotives have been preserved:

• 
  VL-19-01 preserved at Khashuri Station, Georgia
• 
  VL-19-035 preserved at Sverdlovsk station, Ekaterinburg, Russia