The Renfe Class 352 (formerly 2000-T) was a class of twin engined four axle diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Krauss-Maffei, designed solely for passenger traffic; in particular they were responsible for towing Andalusian Talgo III trains. The class were very successful, heralding a new era of passenger trains in Spain. They were delivered in 1964 and 1965, and were fully withdrawn during the 1990s.
Background and design
With the Talgo II coaches having proved successful, and a new class of coaches—the Talgo III being introduced in the early 1960s—a new type of express locomotive was required to pull them. On 28 May 1962, the Board of Directors of Renfe placed an order for the locomotives needed, and the 2000-T series was born.
Unlike the fixed formation Talgo II trains, the Talgo III was to have a locomotive which was separable from the coaches. Five locomotives were initially built by Krauss-Maffei, who gave the locomotives the internal designation ML 2400; in Spain they are placed in the class 2000-T. The Krauss-Maffei design was chosen since no other manufacturer offered similar power in the reduced height, and low centre of gravity that matches the Talgo trainsets, the internal design was very similar to the DB Class V 200.0 with the same engine and hydraulic drive, and similar bogies, though the exterior, and gauge are totally different.[3] A further five locomotives were then built by Babcock & Wilcox under license.