CANADA: TractivePower Corp has unveiled its TP56 three-axle industrial switcher, primarily intended to compete in the 'railcar mover' market, shunting wagons in industrial sidings. It makes use of readily available off-the-shelf industrial and railway components, and has been designed to be serviced in the field.
The TP56 is powered by a Caterpillar C9 industrial diesel engine rated at 375 hp, and the standard model produces a tractive effort of 250 kN. The locomotive can be ballasted to give a heavier axleload, which would raise the tractive effort to 290 kN. Alternative engines could be fitted.
The 9·8 m long locomotive is based on a cut-down EMD SD40 frame, and rides on a single three-axle EMD HTC bogie, which can negotiate curves down to a minimum radius of 53 m. The EMD D77 traction motors give a top speed of 40 km/h.
The TP56 has a full-size locomotive cab, which can be equipped with climate control if required. It is provided with a standard AAR control stand, and can be supplied with remote control equipment.
Headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia, TractivePower Corp was founded by Frank Donnelly, who designed and built the RailPower Technologies Green Goat hybrid locomotive.
