 Picture above: The most numerous locomotive type in Finland, the class Dv12 was built in three batches posing slightly different outside appearances but being technically very much alike. Above the unit 2710 is equipped with radio control, here seen just arrived from a main road duty pulling a freight train to the Tampere classification yard. Picture by John McKey.
 Picture below: The engine room and prime mover of the class Dv12.
Picture above: One of the "Inter city" colored units of the fleet. In the background and below can be seen the original red and cream color used on the locos. The newest color scheme found on just a few units is salad green with golden letters. Picture by Stanislav Voronin.
Below: A typical use for numerous Dv12 class locomotives before the electrification progressed: one locomotive can easily pull 3 to 4 blue-gray coaches on the regional trains up to 125 km/h ( mph).
When more power is needed for an extra coaches, in the large there was always a spare locomotive to add to the consist. Picture below by Hannu Peltola.
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The class DV12 diesel locomotives can be seen most anywhere on the Finnish rail network working all kinds of duties from the light passenger trains on the non electrified lines to heavy road freight run in multiple, or road switching duties around the network. In the earlier days these multipurpose workhorses were a common sight pulling blue-gray coaches on regional trains. One or two units were the norm for any train.
Since the use of the locomotives has changed to more freight use, there are a few problems associated with this: most of the Dv12 units are unable to do heavy switching because of the overheating of the gear box oil, which means these units are very ineffective with this kind of assignment with frequent idling periods letting the lube oil temperature to drop back to acceptable level. A few are rebuilt to overcome the heating problem, but in most cases the better designed class Dr14 are doing all the heavier switching duties.
While 11+ units have been retired from the Dv12 roster and used as spare parts for the rest, the rebuilding program for this relatively successful locomotive series is still running. If repainting is needed (paint on some of the units is badly worn out) the color of choice is now salad green making the fleet interesting with most colors cream and red, many "Intercity" type red-white-gray and now the newest rebuilt units showing handsome green-white-gray with large VR logo taped to advertise the operator on the both sides. The loco number lettering for the green scheme in golden on sides and black in the front.
Technical details for class Dv12 "Deeveri"
-> Type: Dv12 (originally Sv12 (25xx, 26xx) or Sr12 (27xx))
-> Finnish class: Dv12
-> Builders: Valmet and Lokomo (who shared the order)
-> Operators: VR-Yhtymä
-> Usage: general purpose locomotive. both freight and passenger duties
-> Production dates: 1963 - 1984
- Series 2500: 2501 - 2568, rebuilt by VR in 2003 - 2008
- Series 2600: 2601 - 2664
- Series 2700: 2701 - 2760
-> Numbers built: 192
-> Numbers in operation: around 181, slowly being retired and scrapped
-> Seen: Finland and Haparanda in Sweden
-> Energy Source: Diesel fuel
-> Engine: Tampella SACM MGO V16
-> Power output: 1000kW (1360 Hp)
-> Transmission: hydraulic, Voith L 216 rs
-> Generator: -
-> Traction motors: -
-> Tractive Effort: unknown kN
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): -
-> Wheel arrangement: B'B'
-> Wheel diameter: 1000 mm as new
-> Maximum operational speed: 125 km/h (78 Mph)
-> Length: 14,0 m
-> Heigth: 4,6 m
-> Width: 3,2 m
-> Weight: 63 metric tons ( lb), some unit heavier
-> Max. axel weight: 15,5 - 16,0 metric tons
-> Train control systems: JKV, equipped for Finland
-> Remote radio control equipped: Yes
-> Multiple operations capacity with: class
-> Couplers: Vapiti, semiautomatic hook and chain plus Sa3
-> Specials/other:
- several variations exist since the locomotives are numerous and numerous
have been rebuilt with time.
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