In this third volume
dedicated to the locomotives diesel establishes an approximation to
the motives for which RENFE decided
to apply criteria of “dieselización
massive”. The experience of the locomotives
ALCO 316
 and
318 turned out to be positive but there existed certain doubts about
continuing with the acquisition of similar models. The reality is
that the plans of electrification and his associate motive power
(276,277 and 278) mortgaged in certain way the financial
availabilities. And there was an important change in the 60s on
having be decided by a massive “dieselización”,
once there were achieved the financial suitable sources. There sat
down thus the bases by means of which, in the decade of the 60s and
good part of 70 the situation of RENFE's
motive park was offering an unusual variety for what it concerns to
motive power: centenary locomotives of steam I join others of
contemporary type; Locomotives diesel of different origins (Swisses,
Germans and Americans) electrical locomotives of diverse origins
(Americans, Frenches and English) and thermal and electrical
autorails with more variation (France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany,
etc.). All this was a fruit, possibly of a lack of planning. We must
not forget the politics of the pro-Franco government and his need of
international recognition (And of funding and foreign opening) that
was necessary a series of commitments with the government of USA but
without stopping of side to the European countries.
In this context both
international contests of locomotives organized diesel in 1962,
restricted the first one to the American builders to take advantage
of the financing source of the American Help, and another contest,
simultaneously to the first one, in which they could inform freely
all the companies (European Americans associated with some national
builder).
The first contest was
solved because it was the one that had the insured funding, whereas
for a series of circumstances that are detailed in this book, the
second contest was annulled. This situation saved from his retreat
to many locomotives of steam. Once solved the problems of funding
thanks to RENFE's presence of the
World Bank, it was possible to celebrate the third contest, which
would give place to the numerous series ALCO
2.100 and GM 1.900. Up to his
resolution one had to resort to an acquisition of urgency of new
locomotives that were using as transition, so though some diurnal
services were offering a worthy enough level given the epoch (Trains
FIAT and TALGO), in many express
trains of national and international category they remained towed by
steam locomotives. These locomotives of transition were acquired by
an Urgent Plan that the acquired ones extended in the first contest
(1.300), there completed those of the third contest (GM
G-16) and allowed the arrival of those who were the
RENFE's most powerful locomotives,
the series 4000. This third volume of the work treats of both
contests and of the epoch of transition up to the massive
dieselización of the
ALCO 2.100 and
GM 900 of the type J-16
(Bicabinas). |
