Voith Maxima

This is the Voith Maxima 40 CC, the world's most powerful single-engined six-axle diesel-hydraulic locomotive. Now that's specific!

It's built by Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG, who had developed the LS 640 reU2 turbo-split transmission back in the 1990s. However, due to German reunification, the country was flooded with former Soviet diesel locomotives, so DB didn't plan to commission any new rolling stock in that department. Despite this, Voith went ahead and developed a new heavy diesel-hydraulic locomotive at their own expense, with the first prototype being presented at the 2006 InnoTrans trade fair. The top of the line model, the 40 CC, can put out a bit more than 4800 hp, with the 30 CC having less power and the 20 BB being the four-axle version. Power for the 40 CC comes from ABC 16 V DZC prime mover, built by the Anglo Belgian Corporation, with the top speed being a modest 120kph (75mph). You can also order it with an increased top speed of 160kph (100mph), but I don't think anyone has ever done that yet.

This locomotive has quite a few fans, mostly because of its unconventional appearance. Styled by ma design, the combination of odd, slanted angles and straight lines won it a Red Dot Design Award in 2007. While it does look interesting, I don't find it to be particularly appealing if I'm honest. Still, it's a big, six-axle diesel locomotive, something that has become a rarity in today's railroading world (if you live in Germany). Especially West-Germany with its widespread electrification moved away from heavy diesel locomotives as early as the 1950s, all we had is the one prototype of the former Bundesbahn V 320. Just about all six-axle diesels underway today are former East-German Ludmillas, so the Maxima could be regarded as a 70s muscle car that's still being built today. Though I'm certain that Maxima fans will regard that as an insult.

Photo taken at Cologne West while meeting up with *JSH50.

Here are some more Maxima shots, should you be interested: