Renfe 340 (4000): Spanish diesel–hydraulic locomotive

Babcock & Wilcox RENFE 340 (previously RENFE 4000) ML 4000 B’B’

RENFE 340-020-3 (RENFE 4020)

The Renfe 340 series (previously known as the 4000 series) was a series of 32 diesel-hydraulic locomotives produced between 1966 and 1969. They were based on the Deutsche Bahn V-200 series and featured improvements in power, weight and length. They were powered by two Maybach-Mercedes Benz V16 engines, producing a combined power of 4,000 HP.

These locomotives were originally designed for passenger service. They could reach a top speed of 130 km/h and had a range of 1,100 km, making them the fastest RENFE locomotives at the time, ahead of even electric locomotives.

The train made its first commercial trip in 1966. It hauled the “Iberia Expreso” between Madrid-Chamartin and Hondarribia, passing through Aranda de Duero. Later, these locomotives began to be used on other trains, such as the “Lusitania Expreso” and the “Puerta del Sol“. They were especially common on the Madrid—Barcelona line.

Although these locomotives were designed to haul high-speed trains, they were often used to haul heavy loads weighing between 700 and 1,000 tons, which was not in keeping with their design. This, combined with irregular maintenance, led to frequent breakdowns.

As a result, the entire series was withdrawn from service in 1987.