ALSTOM Transport, Your Business Partner

ALSTOM Transport S.A. is a French-Romanian joint venture, founded in 1994 in collaboration with FAUR S.A., and is part of the Business Service Group of the Transport Division belonging to the multinational Group ALSTOM. Romanian railway transport operators needed this cooperation in order to accomplish the modernization of the rolling stock poll.
ALSTOM Transport S.A. commits itself to assure integrated measures in the Romanian rail industry. First important investment was made in 1996, as a result being built the most modern workshop (2.500 sm.) for the refurbishment of the locomotives, which will approach customers demand. To guarantee the quality of the products and service imposed a supplementary investment, meaning training working personnel and specialists.
The first contract was concluded with the former National Railway Company in 1996, for the modernization of four Diesel -hydraulic locomotives (which were put into operation till the end of 1999). This modernization presented some advantages that seem to be very convincing for the activity developed in the railway transport field. This means: saving the combustible (25%); saving the oil (50%); computerized surveying of the generating set operation and supplying the necessary engineering data for the depot maintenance; using the locomotive for hauling the passengers trains with electrical heating system wagons included; increasing precision for shifting speed measurements and reliability of measurements of the tachgraph.

Technical features of the two types of locomotives:
Installed power of he Diesel engine	1500 HP	1250 HP
Hauling the maximal tonnage on the level and alignment at 100Km/h speed	400 t	280 t
Specific combustible consume at diesel engine	148 gr./HPh	200 gr./HPh
Central board computer, which provides displaying technical data, the mechanic needs	yes	no
electric heating, in the wagons, with a 400 kW / 1.500 Vdc generator	yes	no
Central command unit on the drivers board	yes	no
Hydraulic inversion, and hydrodynamic breaks	yes	no
Anti- blocking equipment for the wheel set	yes	no
Electric heating, front windows, refrigerator	yes	no
Electronic tachgraph with steady memory	yes	no
nivel de zgomot in cabina de conducere	72 AdB	86 AdB

Market success of rolling stock and the continuous increase of demand have determined a new organization of ALSTOM Transport SA. A new department has appeared in 1998, known as Business SERVICE, shortly SERVICE, which aims the well operation and life extension of the rolling stock. Shortly after, SERVICE became a complex activity, expressing ALSTOM’s experience in production and design, in innovation of financing methods, as well as in the entire operation and maintenance process of the rolling stock.
Receptivity to the evolution of customers’ demand and to a wide range of other service adapted to the current needs of the industrial users of locomotives brings new contracts for ALSTOM Transport SA. Modernization of other two types of Diesel- hydraulic locomotives, meant to the hauling process of the heavy cargo trains belonging to Lafarge Romcin and modernization of 100 passenger wagons for National Passenger Transport Company - “CFR Calatori SA.” (60 wagons - second class, 30 wagons - first class and 10 bar-wagons) are some of the accomplishments in this respect.
Known in Romania for more than 6 years, ALSTOM Transport SA., by its full range of products and service which are provided to each customer, became a powerfull necessary partner for the industrial users of the rolling stock, a reference of quality and innovator solutions and an advancement support of Business SERVICE on Romanian rail transport market.

“I had the impression it was new”
Interview with Mr. Vasile Boca, engine driver

Railway Journal: Mr. Boca, you are the engine driver who made the first trip with the modern locomotive (1500 HP DHL), together with the specialists from ALSTOM Transport, on Bucharest - Cluj route. Can you share us your first impression?
Vasile Boca: Although it is very modern, I could say I drove a new locomotive. When I first stepped in the command cabin I was amazed. Everything was changed, 95 %: there seems to be more room in the cabin, the equipment is modern, the chairs are comfortable; in one word, I can consider it perfect. I have been an engine driver for more than ten years, but I never thought I will drive such a highly competitive locomotive. It seems that from now on, our job will be much easier, we will be more relaxed during the travel. We won’t be bothered by any kind of noise coming from the engines room, because everything is displayed on board, by the central computer, which provides the technical data by displaying them instantly. .
R.J: Modern 1500 Hp DHL presents more advantages than the standard one?
V.B.: Yes of course. First of all, the combustible and oil are saved, and the power of the engine is now of 1500 HP, compared with 1250 HP. A second reason would be that making a difference to the standard version, which had only one traction engine and a steam unit for heating the wagons, the modern version has 2 engines, one for traction and one for heating. The computer now supervises Caterpillar traction engine and any damage can be detected instantly, this representing a huge advantage for the engine driver. Third reason would be the increase of the reliability in speed measurements and of the tachgraph, and the efficiency of the breaks.
Referring to comfort, the driver’s cabin includes climatization equipment, front windows and a refrigerator. I also have to specify the low level of the noise in the cabin and the visibility that has been improved during the nighttime.
The modern locomotive is over our expectations, when put in operation. There have been two years since and there are no problems. My opinion is that through ALSTOM Transport company products we reached the current European standards.

Oana Bran