Russia: In 2019 and 2021, Russian Railways (RZD) purchased a total of 9 TEM31M shunters with electric transmission from LocoTech. In turn, another producer, Sinara – Transport Machines (STM), has recently received about 20 requests from industrial rail companies for TGMK2 diesel locomotive with hydraulic transmission.
In 2021, by Russian Railways’ order 4 updated two-axle TEM31M diesel locomotives were manufactured at the Yaroslavl Electric Locomotive Repair Plant (YaERZ, part of LocoTech, within the perimeter of the TMH group). The prototype TEM31M model was produced in 2013, and in 2019 the production of the basic version with a power of 418 kW began. For deliveries in 2021, the locomotive has been updated.
According to LocoTech, the updated TEM31M has a more powerful engine (447 kW), an audible alarm, a remote control system with automatic diesel start, and other design features. Also, the new TEM31M can be controlled in multiple-unit mode: two vehicles can work in a couple. A dry-type air filter is installed at the turbocharger inlet, which eliminates the need for constant oil change in the filter and its control, and also increases the reliability of the locomotive engine. Additionally the TEM31M automation system uses a new 348L-03 gearbox.
Updated model of the TEM31M shunter. Source: LocoTech
So far, only RZD is the customer for the TEM31M: as the operator told ROLLINGSTOCK Agency, it plans to buy 5 such shunters a year in the mid-term. YaERZ has the same production plan for this year.
RZD notes that the main advantages of the TEM31M are its compact size, which allows shunting work on turning circles in the depot, the needed haulage parameters, high operating efficiency and minimal repair costs. RZD also positively assesses comfortable working conditions for drivers and ease of operation. “Among the disadvantages is the high purchase price due to the use of imported components in the shunter”, RZD said.
Another Russian manufacturer, STM, also certified its small two-axle TGMK2 shunting locomotive at the end of 2020. It is produced by the Kalugaputmash plant. The vehicle uses a hydromechanical transmission (in TEM31M – electric) in order to ensure the possibility of its operation in high humidity and dustiness conditions. The power of the installed KAMAZ engine is more than 400 kW and, according to STM, TGMK2 is capable of hauling trains weighing up to 2,500 t. As to STM calculations, the cost of TGMK2 is 30-40% lower than that of big four-axle shunting diesel locomotives.
Shunting diesel locomotive TGMK2 on the territory of Taganrog Metallurgical Plant, June 2021. Source: Igor Lagutin, trainpix.org
However, there have been no deliveries of TGMK2 so far. In 2021, it was sent for pilot semi-annual trials at the site of the Taganrog Metallurgical Plant (part of the Pipe Metallurgical Company), where industrial logistics services are provided by STM’s subsidiary, SinaraPromTrans. Then the locomotive returned to Kalugaputmash for modifications.
RZD said that special equipment is required to service the hydromechanical transmission, and there are practically no shunters of the old series with such technology in the operator’s locomotive depots. “We have not received commercial proposals with the cost of TGMK2, the service payment rate and the feasibility study of its efficiency”, commented in RZD.
STM itself relies on the demand for TGMK2 from industrial clients, particularly the food and consumer goods manufacturing, and the military defense sector. “In addition, TGMK2 is ideal for inter-shop work and maintenance of industrial infrastructure”, STM believes. The shunter itself was developed in close cooperation with the Promzheldotrans association (unites more than 140 industrial railway companies). The STM also reports that over the past 2 months it has received about 20 requests from such potential clients.
According to Alexander Manyakhin, the executive director of the Promzheldortrans association, the performance characteristics of TEM31M and TGMK2 meet the requirements that the association set in the technical specification, which was jointly prepared by manufacturers, research centers and industrial companies. “The undoubted advantages are the reducing maintenance costs by about 30% throughout the entire life cycle and the reducing of fuel and oil consumption”, Manyakhin noted.
According to the RZD-Partner magazine, as of the summer of 2021, the total shunters fleet of the Promzheldortrans association members consisted of 1.5 thousand locomotives, 95% of which were beyond the designated service life, and more than 60% had hydraulic transmission. Alexander Manyakhin says that TGMK2 is a replacement for old TGM23, TGK2 and TGM40 series shunters, and their share is no more than 5%. Several factors are now affecting the perspective fleet renewal plans, including the Covid-19 pandemic, he stated.
