Drivers have tested a Trident diesel locomotive manufactured by the General Electric company (United States), including at the maximum speed of 80 km/h for freight trains. In general, the new diesel locomotive performed very well during the tests, railway workers told the info.uz.ua publication, the CFTS portal reports.
The locomotive is easy to operate because, unlike the old models operated by the Ukrainian Rails public joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia), the TE33AC diesel locomotive is equipped with an automated control system powered by an onboard computer. However, according to train drivers, the system is “very sensitive to possible disassembly.”
"An interesting detail is that the new equipment provides clear information about the state of the diesel locomotive’s braking system. If the level of air pressure is low because of a malfunction, the locomotive will not move. This is very good in terms of safety,” the publication reports.
Regarding the comfort of drivers, the diesel locomotive is equipped with a convenient control lever, seats with adjustable armrests, climate control systems, and a bio-toilet. According to the drivers, the interior design of the locomotive designed for the Ukrainian market is slightly improved compared with the one designed for the Kazakh market.
In addition, the locomotive is noisier than the old models used in Ukraine because its engine rotation rate is higher.
As reported earlier, the new locomotive began its first trip on November 8, traveling from the Kryukov railcar works to the Romodan train station (Poltava region). It hauled 48 railcars loaded with ore pellets.
