Russia: The six-axle machine with two control cabs is to undergo testing in the third quarter of the year. By this time, the Bryansk Machine-Building Plant (BMZ) plans to assemble a second diesel locomotive of the same series, so the two vehicles will be tested simultaneously to speed up the certification process.
The locomotive is designed according to the technical specifications of Russian Railways. As noted by BMZ’s General Director Aleksandr Poprugin in late 2024, the TE26 is intended to replace the M62, 2M62 and 3M62 diesel locomotives by Luhanskteplovoz and will be used on low-intensity lines which allow for operation of freight trains, passenger trains and special-purpose vehicles.
The first ТЭ26 diesel locomotive from BMZ. Source: BMZ
The new locomotive is fitted with the 18-9DGM-02 diesel generator of 2,850 kW. Running in multiple, the TE26 can haul trainsets of 7,100 t at a maximum speed of 100 km/h with a continuous tractive effort of 323 kN, as previously announced by Russian Railways. Besides, the localisation level of the components is reportedly over 90%.
