Newag 311D diesel locos return to Captrain Polska fleet

In December, after a few years of break, we put into operation the type 311D locomotive No. 07. We know this locomotive well, we know about its weaknesses, but we also know that when properly operated it can be a really good and effective machine, one of the most powerful diesel locomotives on the market.

At the moment, the locomotive permanently operates the Sandomierz - Kolbuszowa - Sandomierz route, shunting the wagons of our client - PCC Intermodal - to the container terminal.

Among the interesting facts about the locomotive, it should be mentioned that it was manufactured by Newag, Nowy Sącz. It is a modernization of the ST44 series locomotive. In its career on the tracks, the type has been given multiple nicknames by railway workers and railway enthusiasts: Robogagarin, Batman, Transformer or Lord Vader.

The locomotive has undergone extensive modernization compared to the original - Soviet locomotives M62 (ST44) - still popular on Polish tracks. From the original, it was decided to keep only the frame of locomotive body and bogeys. The most visible and complete modification is the complete change in the appearance and functionality of the locomotive body - instead of a body with an internal corridor between the cabins, a passage was made with the use of external platforms. Thanks to this modification, the access to the engine is much easier. Additionally, the front of the vehicle has been given a new look. Cabins have been rebuilt to be more ergonomic and thus provide drivers with better working conditions.

During the conversion, a more economical General Electric engine, which consumes 20% less fuel per 1,000 gross tonne-kilometers in relation to the older ST44 locomotives, was installed. It is also important to note that the exhaust emission was reduced to a level conforming with the UIC II standards.

In total, we will have three such locomotives in our fleet. We invite you to submit transport inquiries for heavy trains, on long routes, especially the ones with large share of diesel section.