M62 locomotive rebuilding framework agreement

UKRAINE: A fra­me­work agre­ement for co-ope­ra­tion in the potential modernisation of Type M62 diesel locomotives for the Ukrianian market was signed by Newag, Ski­nest Rail Ukra­ine and Latvia’s Dau­ga­vpils Rol­ling Stock Repair Plant at a Polish Busi­ness Day held in Kyiv on November 26. Newag estimates current demand at potentially 150 to 200 locomotives.

Newag said it has drawn on its experience of previous projects including the modernisation of 1 520 mm gauge locomotives for PKP LHS and Kolprem to develop the design concept. A new modu­lar body would house a new engine and gene­ra­tor with modern con­trol and dia­gno­stic sys­tems, designed to offer improved relia­bi­lity with reduced fuel con­sump­tion and exhaust emis­sions. The cabs would have ergo­no­mic con­trol panels and ‘addi­tio­nal ame­ni­ties’ for driver com­fort.

Finance could come from Polish export funds and com­mer­cial banks. ‘The design and tech­no­logy works have prac­ti­cally been com­ple­ted,’ said Newag CEO Zbi­gniew Konie­czek. ‘Ukra­ine may rece­ive seve­ral dozen moder­ni­sed die­sel loco­mo­ti­ves as early as next year.’