01In brief
The Israel Railways JT 42BW is a Bo-Bo locomotive used by Israel Railways for passenger trains. The 3,200-horsepower locomotive is faster than the more powerful Co-Co type, while the Co-Co can accelerate more quickly on routes with frequent stops and little distance in which to gain speed.
02Overview and Technical Specifications
The JT42BW is a Bo-Bo locomotive used for passenger trains; the 4,000-horsepower Co-Co type is used for freight.[1] The JT42BW develops 3,200 horsepower and is described as a 93-tonne machine.[1] Although the Bo-Bo is faster, the Co-Co's greater power can give it an acceleration advantage on routes with frequent station stops and little distance in which to build speed.[1]
In the simulator scenario, the passenger train reached 140 km/h. At that speed, braking distance can be as much as 850 metres, a figure applying to the train and operating scenario rather than a standalone maximum-speed or braking specification for the locomotive.[1]
03Safety Systems and Braking
JT42BW driver training covered electrical, pneumatic, and magnetic braking.[1] An automatic protection system brakes the train if the driver disregards control signals, using magnetic induction between trackside components and equipment on the locomotive.[1] A "dead man's" pedal had to be pressed and released every 20 seconds or so; failure to respond caused an alarm and then an emergency stop.[1] These details are reported in the simulator and driver-training context, not as a verified equipment list for every JT42BW in the fleet.[1]
04Driver Training and Simulation
The simulator used for JT42BW driver training opened in 2007.[1] Its route scenery reproduced footage recorded in 2005 by a camera mounted on a locomotive, providing a visual recreation of the line from the driver's perspective.[1] Simulator scenarios included collisions with people on the track, barrier breaches, fires, and moving passengers between trains.[1]
Sources
- 1Globes, "On one hand you are not guilty, on the other hand - you killed a person", accessed on October 6, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
What is the Israel Railways JT 42BW?
The Israel Railways JT 42BW is a Bo-Bo locomotive used by Israel Railways for passenger trains. It develops 3,200 horsepower and is described as a 93-tonne machine. Although it is faster than the more powerful Co-Co type locomotive, which is used for freight, the Co-Co's greater power gives it an acceleration advantage on routes with frequent station stops and little distance in which to build speed.
What braking systems does the JT 42BW use?
JT42BW driver training covered electrical, pneumatic, and magnetic braking. The locomotive also features an automatic protection system that brakes the train if the driver disregards control signals, using magnetic induction between trackside components and equipment on the locomotive. These details are reported in the simulator and driver-training context, not as a verified equipment list for every JT42BW in the fleet.
How does the JT 42BW's dead man's pedal safety system work?
The JT42BW is equipped with a "dead man's" pedal that the driver must press and release every 20 seconds or so. Failure to respond triggers an alarm and then an emergency stop, providing a safeguard against an incapacitated driver.
How was the JT 42BW driver training simulator developed?
The simulator used for JT42BW driver training opened in 2007. Its route scenery was based on footage recorded in 2005 by a camera mounted on a locomotive, giving trainees a visual recreation of the line from the driver's perspective. Simulator scenarios included collisions with people on the track, barrier breaches, fires, and moving passengers between trains.