ÖBB Class 1014
# ÖBB Class 1014

The ÖBB Class 1014 and 1114 are multi system electric locomotives, constructed between 1993 and 1994. The locomotives were designed to operate from Austria, to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

## History

Following the fall of the iron curtain, the ÖBB needed new locomotives to cope with the consequent increase in international traffic; the Class 1014/1114 was also conceived as part of Austria's failed joint bid for a World Expo with Hungary, planned to be held in 1995. The 1014 was developed to operate from the Austrian 15 kV AC, 16 2⁄3 Hz electrification, as well as the 25 kV AC, 50 Hz electrification used by ČD and ŽSR. The Class 1014 locomotives were primarily used for this purpose, although they were also used to haul freight, and also saw some later service on the Semmering railway and the City Airport Train.

## Withdrawal from the ÖBB

In 2009 the locomotives were withdrawn and stored, with the ÖBB selling the locomotives at scrap value between 2008 and 2010, with each locomotive sold for 15,000 euros each, compared to the approximately 4 million euros per locomotive originally paid. This drop in value, combined with the short service life of the locomotives, led to criticism of the Federal Railways by the Austrian Court of Auditors [de] in 2014.

## Post ÖBB usage

Following the withdrawal of the locomotives by the ÖBB in 2009, the locomotives have spent long periods in storage. In 2016, 16 of the locomotives were moved to Romania, although they were not used. In August and September 2018 they returned to Austria, and are now used by Zeller Transport Technik on freight services.

After the bankruptcy of Zeller Transport Technik, four locomotives were shipped to Tanzania for testing on the Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway in January 2022.

Unit 001, which was parked at the ÖBB Linz depot after its withdrawal, was sold to a scrap dealer in 2022 and subsequently broken up.

