Transmashholding Supplies Standard-Gauge Locomotives for the Russia–China Route
The Bryansk Machine-Building Plant (BMZ), part of Transmashholding (TMH), has delivered two TEM18DM diesel shunting locomotives to Russian Railways (RZD), equipped with bogies adapted for the 1,435 mm European gauge, which is used in many countries around the world.
The locomotives will be operated at the Zabaikalsk–Manzhouli border railway crossing in the Zabaikalie region, the largest freight crossing point between Russia and China. Against the backdrop of growing foreign trade and an increasingly eastward-oriented logistics focus, this rail corridor is of strategic importance to Russia’s economy.
The locomotives will be transported to their destination on standard bogies for the 1,520 mm gauge; once they arrive at the depot, they will be fitted with new bogies designed for the 1,435 mm gauge.
Adapted for international rail traffic
The version of the TEM18DM locomotive designed for the European gauge was developed to meet the infrastructure requirements in the areas connecting the Russian railway network with those of other countries. The standard-gauge bogies enable the efficient use of the locomotives at border stations, logistics centers, and on lines serving international freight traffic.
The manufacturer currently offers six versions of the TEM18DM locomotive, allowing customers to choose the configuration best suited to their operational needs. Additionally, an interactive configurator is available on the factory’s official website, through which technical options can be selected and the cost of the locomotive can be estimated based on the desired equipment.
All variants use the same basic technical platform, which has already been tested in service, ensuring high reliability, easy maintenance, and compatibility with existing maintenance infrastructure.
The TEM18DM is one of the most in-demand diesel shunting locomotives produced by BMZ and is included in Russia’s industrial product registry, administered by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The model stands out for its high maneuverability, low fuel consumption, and ability to operate in harsh climatic conditions.
The locomotive can be used for a wide range of operations, from forming freight trains to servicing industrial rail lines. In addition to its use on the RZD network and by industrial companies in Russia, the TEM18DM model is also used in markets outside the country.
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