UKRAINE: Czech manufacturer CZ Loko has unveiled the first of four 1 520 mm gauge EffiShunter 1600 Co-Co diesel-electric locomotives which were ordered by steelmaker ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in July 2019.
The 123-tonne centre-cab locomotives are heavily rebuilt from ČKD-built CME3 locos, have 1 000 kW CAT 3508C engines with AC/DC transmission and comply with GOST technical standards.
The first loco is undergoing tests on 1 435 mm bogies at the VUZ Velim test centre, after which it will move to Haniska pri Košiciach in Slovakia where it will be regauged to 1 520 mm and handed over to AMKR.
All four locos are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2020. They will be used for heavy shunting within the steelworks. The order was finainced by OTP Leasing Ukraine.
- CZ Loko has also completed a similar EffiShunter 1600 loco for Finnish private freight operator Fenniarail, following on from three supplied in 2015 and two in 2017. Fenniarail has an option for another five under a contract signed in November 2019.
