The invention relates to a drive
system (1) for a rail vehicle having a
transformer (3), a main switch (2) and a
grid connection (12), wherein the main switch (2) is arranged between the
grid connection (13) and a primary winding (31) of the
transformer (3). To improve the drive
system, it is proposed that the
transformer (3) has a short-circuit
voltage (Uk) of no more than 25%, wherein the main switch (2) has a first series circuit (25) comprising at least two power semiconductors (21, 21a, 21b), wherein a first power
semiconductor (21a) from the at least two power semiconductors (21) can beused to disconnect a current (I1,forward) through the first series circuit (25) in the direction from the
grid connection (12) to the transformer (3), and a second power
semiconductor (21b) from the at least two power semiconductors (21) can be used to disconnect a current (I1,return) through the first series circuit (25) in the direction from the transformer (3) to the grid connection (12). Further, the invention relates to a rail vehicle having such a drive
system, wherein the grid connection (12) of the drive system (1) is electrically connected to a
current collector (8), the rail vehiclebeing provided for operation in an AC system.