Russia: The plan to submit them to the Russian government this year was announced by Oleg Belozerov, General Director of Russian Railways (RZD), at the final meeting of the board on 14 February.
“There is an urgent need to expand the production capacity of locomotive builders. In some cases, the capacity of the production facilities does not allow for the qualitative renewal of the fleet and the development of new models. … This year, together with our partners, we should prepare coordinated proposals to the government to expand these capacities”, he stressed.
After buying 557 locomotives in 2023, RZD plans to buy 549 locomotives this year, of which 290 will be electric and 259 diesel. At the same time, the company said in September 2023 that its annual demand for locomotives would be more than 1,000 per year from 2025. At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August last year, Kirill Lipa, General Director of TMH, said that production facilities were operating at the limit of their capabilities and that capacity was being exceeded.
In his speech, Oleg Belozerov also noted that the operation of the locomotive fleet is the most pressing bottleneck in RZD’s operations today. “The issue of ensuring the reliability of the machinery and the preparation of traction for the routes is a matter of deep concern”, he said. The head of the operator noted that the local measures taken do not have the right effect, and in 2024 it is necessary to find “disruptive measures”.
