VR Class Dr13 (before 1 January 1976 called Hr13) was a heavy diesel locomotive used by VR Group. The Dr13 was designed by the French company Alstom. The class consisted of 54 locomotives, of which the first two were built by Alstom’s factory in Belfort, France and were shipped to Finland in 1962, while the rest were built in Tampere at the factories of Lokomo (odd numbers) and Valmet (even numbers). The first Dr13 series locomotive came to Finland on 24 October 1962. The Dr13 series was introduced between 1962 and 1963, and the last units were withdrawn by June 2000.
Design
The Dr13 has been the most powerful and the fastest diesel locomotive in VR Group service. It was purchased to complement the VR Class Dr12 locomotives: Dr12 had a heavier axle load and less power. The Dr12 was therefore restricted to use on lines that have been laid for heavier axle loads. Dr13 had a similar engine to the medium-weight Dv12, the Tampella manufactured MGO V16