Renfe 10011 (MZA TM-201): Spanish shunting locomotive

MTM RENFE 10011 (MZA TM-201)

RENFE 10011 (MZA TM-201) is a shunting locomotive with mechanical transmission, built in 1935 as part of an experimental program by the Catalan company La Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima (MTM) under license from the German factory Deutsche Werke Kiel (DWK).

The diesel engine was connected to a gearbox, which in turn drove the two driving axles via a false shaft and connecting rods. The gearbox and reverser were pneumatically driven, which required an air compressor for constant braking, in addition to a vacuum pump.

History

After successful tests, MZA (Madrid—Zaragoza—Alicante railway company) considered the possibility of acquiring more of these locomotives to replace the aging steam locomotives that were used for shunting. However, the events of the Spanish Civil War put an end to these plans.

A TM-2201 locomotive was stationed in Aranjuez at the end of 1936, at the height of the conflict. By order of the Railway Committee, it was converted for use as a train for the Republican Army.

After conversion, the armoured train went to the Almorchón—Córdoba line, where it patrolled the area. In April 1938, it moved to the Valencia—Tarragona line, where it took part in the retreat along with the rest of the Republican Army. On 9 November 1938, it played an important role in the counter-offensive in the Nules (Castellón) area.

At the end of the war, on 29 March 1939, the armoured train was abandoned at the Valencia station. The locomotive returned to Madrid for repairs and then joined the RENFE shunting fleet, receiving the registration number 10011, and later 10201.