RUSSIA: Electro-Motive Diesel is to supply demonstration SD42AC-R diesel locomotives to Russia this year for performance testing and certification. The 3 000 hp locomotives powered by 12-710 engines are being built at EMD's plant in Muncie, Indiana.
In December EMD and Russian rolling stock supplier UralVagonZavod signed a memorandum of understanding to examine opportunities for the development and manufacture of main line diesel locomotives in Russia.
A joint engineering team is planned to develop a 4 500 hp locomotive, with EMD supplying the 16-710 engine, AC transmission, and other 'service-proven components, technologies and designs'.
A definitive agreement is expected to be signed 'in the coming months'. EMD and UVZ will examine whether it would be possible to achieve 50% local content in Russian-built locomotives, and the partners also see opportunities for EMD natural gas technology in Russia.
