Netherlands: The four-axle shunting locomotive was put into operation at the Tata Steel steelworks in Velsen-Noord. The modernisation was carried out on one of the General Electric 900 series diesel locomotives dating from 1963–1971.
Tata Steel refurbished the frame and bogies, while Bemo Rail of the Netherlands replaced two Cummins engines totalling 405 kW with a 414 kW⋅h battery and a four times less powerful engine. The locomotive has a new hood, driver’s cab, and control system. Due to the constant-speed engine and regeneration, nitrogen oxide emissions and particulates are expected to be reduced by 96–97%, while fuel consumption and noise levels are forecast to be 25% and 30% lower respectively.
The four-axle hybrid shunting locomotive from Tata Steel and Bemo Rail. Source: Tata Steel
All ten locos are to be refurbished by the end of 2026, with the project cost of €20 mln. In 2018–2022, Tata Steel replaced diesel engines on four 900 series locomotives with those meeting more stringent emission standards.
