ČSD: S 499.0 & S 499.1, later 240; ČD: 240 ZSSK: 240
Number in class
ČDC: ? ZSSK: 48 passenger + 49 freight
Numbers
240 001-8 — 240 145-3, 240 260-0
Nicknames
Laminátka - because of the material of the locomotive body - made of laminate
The ČSD Class S 499.0 and S 499.1 are essentially ČSD Class S 489.0 locomotives with revised gearing for higher speeds and added electrodynamic braking system. They operate from the 25 kV 50 Hzoverhead line electrification system in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Their design can be traced back to the S699.0 locomotives produced by Škoda in 1962. S 499.0 had a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), with S 499.1 140 km/h (87 mph).
ČD's cargo division (ČDC) operate the locomotives in the Czech Republic. In Slovakia the fleet is shared almost equally between ZSSK's passenger division and ZSCS, their cargo operations.[1]
Numbering
Locomotives 240 001-8 to 240 120-6 are the original build S 499.0. 240 121-4 to 240 145-3 were converted from S 499.1 by CSD at ŽOS Vrútky, who down-graded the maximum speed to 120 km/h (75 mph). Locomotive 240.260-0 was converted from 230 060-6 in 2002 by fitment of class 240 bogies. It has a few other detail differences to a standard class 240 locomotive (weight is (1 tonne (0.98 long tons; 1.1 short tons) more for example).[1]
During 2004 locomotives 240 049-7, 240 055-4 & 240 062-0 were converted to class 340 by fitment of 15 kV 16.7 Hz electrical equipment and ÖBB signalling/safety equipment.[1]
