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1991: First generation EuroSprinter locomotives  
customer overview
Renfe [ES] railoperator
S/252 series
75 - 1991-1996
Siemens-KraussMaffei [DE]
127 001 / ES 64 P-001
1 demonstrator - 1992
CP [PT] railoperator
LE 5600 series
30 - 1993-1995
OSE [GR] railoperator
H56x / 120 series
6 + 24 - 1997 and 2004-2005

A short introduction
This section describes the history of four different locomotive types, including the demonstrator locomotive, causing the EuroSprinter brand name to settle in the mind of everyone who's interested in the European locomotive industry.

On this site, all four types are commonly designated as 'first generation EuroSprinter', built by Siemens-KraussMaffei and their subcontractors. This is mainly based on the fact that all four series share the same exterior design. Regarding the technical concepts, they really represent different concepts, as technology progresses over time and the fact that every customer has it own very specific demands.

The story of the EuroSprinter started in 1988. That year, the Spanish Renfe decide to order 75 multi purpose, high performance locomotives. It resulted in the S/252 series, a powerful concept, making use of relatively new three-phase propulsion technology, with an attractive design. In 1991 the delivery of this series started, one year ahead of the introduction of the product name 'EuroSprinter'.

Unlike what often is thought, the Siemens-KraussMaffei 'EuroSprinter' demonstrator is derived from the Renfe design, not the other way around.

In 1992, a demonstrator was built to show what Siemens-KraussMaffei had to offer the German railways, as they were planning in giant new orders to rejuvenate their fleet. This machine, the designated 127 001, convinced many, but this did not result in the desired German order, due to many economical and political changes. Nevertheless, the DB demanded it to be re-engineered and so its concept did end up in the DB 152 series, and in the Austrian OBB Taurus locomotives, so it did get its multi-purpose successor everyone dreamed of, only in a different package.

In 1993, also that other country on the Iberian peninsula got a batch of 30 electrics built, directly derived from the Renfe design, saving time and money. The Le 5600 series is used for both freight and passenger services.

In 1996, the family got a curious descendant, as the Hellenic railways also decided to order six 'classic' units. This story took the concept into the next century, as delivery continued until 2005. The OSE 120 series now includes 30 units, more than needed...