European Railroad Discussion > So does Ukraine now need diesel locomotives?

After a curious delay, it now appears that the Russians are targeting the power supply for the electrified portions of the Ukrainian rail network.

Is it time for somebody to send diesel locomotives?? Are there any barriers to using them?

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march_hare Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After a curious delay, it now appears that the
> Russians are targeting the power supply for the
> electrified portions of the Ukrainian rail
> network.
>
> Is it time for somebody to send diesel
> locomotives?? Are there any barriers to using
> them?

I expect the world's main supplier of 5-ft. gauge locomotives is Russia.

railsmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> march_hare Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > After a curious delay, it now appears that the
> > Russians are targeting the power supply for the
> > electrified portions of the Ukrainian rail
> > network.
> >
> > Is it time for somebody to send diesel
> > locomotives?? Are there any barriers to using
> > them?
>
> I expect the world's main supplier of 5-ft. gauge
> locomotives is Russia.

I don't hear much about Russia exporting locomotives... I do hear a lot about a Swiss/Spanish manufacturer called Stadler that manufactures many electric, diesel and electro-diesel locomotives into Europe, including for Iberian broad gauge.

Aren't some of the former USSR republics now in NATO still on 5 foot gauge. Baltics, I'm looking at you...

march_hare Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After a curious delay, it now appears that the
> Russians are targeting the power supply for the
> electrified portions of the Ukrainian rail
> network.
>
> Is it time for somebody to send diesel
> locomotives?? Are there any barriers to using
> them?

Yes, the tracks are getting blown up, too.

The Russian invasion initially seemed to intentionally spare capital assets like power plants, railroads, etc they would need after their blitzkrieg subdued Ukraine.They occupied the Cherynobl plant, and let it operate, but didn't destroy it on the way out.

With the morass of the current warfare, it seems like capital assets useful to the Ukrainians are now targets. Railroads, fuel dumps, electric power grid, etc.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> march_hare Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > After a curious delay, it now appears that the
> > Russians are targeting the power supply for the
> > electrified portions of the Ukrainian rail
> > network.
> >
> > Is it time for somebody to send diesel
> > locomotives?? Are there any barriers to using
> > them?
>
> Yes, the tracks are getting blown up, too.

But the historic track record*** of trying to disable railroad tracks via bombardment or aerial assault is very bad. On ordinary ground it just ain't that difficult to repair track. Bridges are another story, obviously. Catenary is probably a special case. Thus, my question about diesels. 

Doesn't one of the Baltics have a group of GE C36s that were bought from the US (Mopac maybe?) and were regauged to 5 feet?


*** unintentional pun there. Didn't catch it at first but I'll let it stand. 

march_hare Wrote:
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> Doesn't one of the Baltics have a group of GE C36s
> that were bought from the US (Mopac maybe?) and
> were regauged to 5 feet?
>

Estonia had the C36s... not sure if they're still active....

A quick google search shows Ukraine has some diesels... it bought some GEs recently...

As I recall most of the overnight trains we have taken were diesel hauled. Also lots of diesel DMU's in passenger service. Putin the war criminal would rather kill Innocent civilians...particularly children located in schools, churches, and theaters, and hospitals than legitimate war related infrastructure. 

exhaustED Wrote:
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> Estonia had the C36s... not sure if they're still
> active....

Yes they are, see plenty of pictures of them on various facebook groups.

exhaustED Wrote:
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> A quick google search shows Ukraine has some
> diesels... it bought some GEs recently...

UZ has 12 TE33s built under licence in Kazakhstan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/22 00:06 by 86235.

Finland has all 5' gauge tracks; but only small diesels.  Gerry