The Ukrzaliznytsia public railway company is testing a TE33A diesel freight locomotive manufactured by the General Electric corporation (United States). "A locomotive from General Electric is undergoing tests in Ukraine. The tests will last four months, during which all its capabilities will be tested," Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelian said during the presentation of this locomotive in Kyiv on Wednesday, September 28, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reports.
According to him, Ukrzaliznytsia will prepare a five-year plan for modernization of Ukrainian locomotives and wagons in late October. Foreign experts–leading manufacturers of locomotives and those with experience in transformation of railways – will be involved in this work from the second half of October.
"We believe that the presented General Electric locomotive will be a success I would like for General Electric to be not only a strategic partner for the Olympic Games, but also a strategic partner of Ukraine. The corporation has all the necessary capacity for this and there are also sufficient areas for cooperation: the railway, aviation, other areas in which the company has proven at the world level," the minister said.
Related: General Electric Announces Annual Plan For Modernization Of Ukrainian Locomotives
According to Omelian, the TE33A locomotive provides an opportunity to significantly save fuel and oil and double the loading capacity. It also has good running qualities.
According to the information booklet that was distributed during the presentation, the six-axle, single-section TE33A diesel locomotive has a gross horsepower of 3,356 KW (4,500 HP) and a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The locomotive is equipped with a V 12, four-stroke engine.
The locomotive has already performed four test trips on Ukrainian railways in September 2016.
Omelian did not answer in the affirmative when asked about the likelihood of acquisition of this locomotive. However, he spoke about the forthcoming negotiations with all the leading manufacturers to select a strategic partner for production of locomotives in Ukraine.
"Definitely, what General Electric is presenting today is the No. 1 product. I hope that we will be able to work with this corporation after completing the five-year modernization plan and organizing a tender to select a strategic partner," the minister said.
As reported, General Electric and Ukrzaliznytsia signed a memorandum on broadening cooperation in the area of development and modernization of Ukrzaliznytsia’s diesel locomotive fleet based on General Electric’s technology on July 21. At that time, the two parties agreed to examine the possibility of modernization and subsequent maintenance of Ukrzaliznytsia’s diesel locomotives with the aim of increasing their service lives and improving their efficiency and environmental sustainability.
