Transmashholding to develop first Russian hybrid locomotive

Russian rolling stock manufacturer Transmashholding intends to develop its own hybrid locomotive. The vehicle will be able to power with both diesel engine and lithium-ion batteries. A hybrid locomotive will be created in a partnership with Russian Railways and Rusnano.

The future locomotive and its engine will be produced by Transmashholding. Liotech Company, a subsidiary of Rusnano, will supply lithium-ion batteries. Russian Railways will use the vehicle for shunting operations on its network. The parties have agreed to adjust the technical requirements to the locomotive by the year’s end. In 2020, its production is expected to start.

“In line with the latest world trends, Transmashholding is ready to create an innovative rolling stock, which will not only significantly reduce air emissions but also to reduce the consumption of energy sources, improve economic efficiency. We are confident that the modern shunting locomotive with hybrid drive in the domestic lithium-ion batteries will be in demand by our partners,” said Kirill Lipa, General Director of Transmashholding.

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TEM19 LNG-powered locomotive, source: Transmashholding.

LNG-powered locomotive

The hybrid locomotive will not be the first innovative vehicle for Transmashholding. In 2013 Bryansk Engineering Plant (BMZ), a part of Transmashholding, has manufactured TEM19 shunting locomotive. It is the first LNG-powered locomotive developed by Transmashholding. After the intensive trials on the range of Russian Railway Research Institute (VNIIZhT) in Shcherbinka, Moscow region, the LNG-powered locomotive was certified for operations on the Russian railway network.

The six-axle locomotive is equipped with the 880-kilowatt LNG engine. It is capable to speed up to 100 kilometres per hour. TEM19 LNG-powered locomotive is in regular service since June 2014. Transmashholding considers launching the mass production of this type.