Belarusian Railways to present diesel locomotive at German InnoTrans

The two-axle shunting diesel locomotive TME3 created by Belarusian Railways will be presented at the international expo InnoTrans for the first time. The expo will take place in Berlin, Germany on 23-26 September, the press service of Belarusian Railways told BelTA.

The new high-technology locomotive is made by the Lida-based locomotive depot in association with the Czech company CZ Loko. Since 2010 the facility has assembled 40 shunting locomotives of the TME1 and TME2 series for Belarusian Railways. Since then the Belarusian railroad operator has accumulated positive experience of making TME1 and TME2 series diesel locomotives. Apart from that, the company has also started making two-axle shunting locomotives of the TME3 series.

The TME3 diesel locomotive is designed to operate on low-traffic railroads and approach lines of companies with the railway track gauge of 1,520mm with the max speed of 60kmph with air temperatures ranging between 35C below zero and 40C above zero. The locomotive boasts energy-saving features, increased operational safety and comfortable operation for locomotive crews. The locomotive is powered by Caterpillar's C15 Acert engines.

Belarusian Railways already uses eight TME3 shunting locomotives. There are plans to make another 12 TME3 locomotives by the end of the year. “The locomotive's presentation at the Berlin expo is a good opportunity to advertise our products and our enterprise,” noted Vladimir Balakhonov, Deputy Head of Belarusian Railways.

InnoTrans is the world's largest railroad industry expo. The forum takes place every two years to demonstrate technologies and the latest achievements of the transport industry, share the best practices, highlight up-to-date trends in the industry, establish partnerships and sign business contracts. Over 126,000 people from 140 countries visited the previous expo InnoTrans.