The success registered by the
French-Romanian firm ALSTOM Transport on the rail
industry market determined me to watch every
"movement" in the field of these specialists. In the previous numbers of our
magazine we informed you, our readers, about the performances registered by this company
in wagon modernization, Diesel-hydraulic locomotives meant for passengers rail transport,
about EMMFaCIS (which detects any crack of the rolling stock); in the following lines we
will speak about Diesel-hydraulic locomotive (LDH 1500 HP) purchased by Lafarge Romcim
company and used for freight transport from Medgidia 2 Cement Factory.
Two years ago French company Lafarge Romcim decided to modernize two
LDH 1250 HP locomotives at ALSTOM Transport, which they were going to use for freight
trains hauling. In order to convince them by the performances of their new acquisition,
the buying firm decided that the final reception test to be made on P2 distance
Midia-Medgidia 942 km), with a 1280 tones train. The results registered and the reduced
consume of fuel, one of the main advantages of this locomotives, were as they were
expected.
1500 HP LDH meant for freight trains hauling is equipped with Caterpillar engine and 
transmission, Caterpillar transmission utilization being something new for
Romania. Data technology system, controlled on Woodward computer, mounted on board,
indicates exactly the quantity of fuel consumed on every distance. LDH 1500 locomotives
are very demanding because, for the same performed service, needs just a half quantity of
the fuel consumed by a LDE 2100, that are already owned by the buying company in its
rolling stock fleet. It is also necessary to mention that for the modernization of the
locomotives only the cabin and the hood have been reconditioned, the remaining equipment
being totally renewed.
The computer mounted on board, that is also found at LDH 1500 meant for passengers
transport, not only makes engine driver's shunting easier, but also has the capacity to
stock, in time, certain parameters and to display exactly the travel hours. Related to
cabin comfort must be shown the fact that the new equipment (computer on board,
refrigerator, ventilation) enhance engine driver's work and additionally, these one is not
anymore bothered by the infernal noise, the cabins being equipped with antiphons.
According to what Mr. Marian Iorga, head of CFU station (Railway Factory) said, " the
high reliability of these locomotives led to a reduced number of damages and an almost 95%
availability. I would like to add another remark, namely, although modernized locomotives
that belong to ALSTOM Transport have a hauling power of only 1500 HP, they are perfect for
our train sets hauling, because here the slope is big, of around 18 from thousand, and the
classical locomotives (LDH 1250 HP) are hardly managing the situation.
Another advantage, important for Medgidia 2 activity, is represented by the fact that we
have the possibility to use most of all to the hauling process in heavy working
conditions, as would be internal shunting of the operation for raw material transport
(limestone, coke, oil, slag, etc.) and finite materials as cement".
The activity within Cement factory Medgidia 2 is developed on a very large network, where
daily are manipulated hundreds of wagons loaded with various raw materials.
Diesel-hydraulic locomotive modernization by ALSTOM Transport means not only a substantial
reduction of fuel consume but a well operation on all routes, but also the improvement of
work conditions for the engine drivers. "Modern conditions inside the driver's cabin
provides us safety and precision during the activity. As for us, the engine drivers, I can
say that this locomotive offers us a real comfort. Besides the fact that the inside noise
has been reduced, also they can be much better maintained, due to the modern equipment
that the cabin disposes. No matter the season, we are also protected, because over the
board it is mounted a ventilator, that we use during the summer, when the heats are
unbearable and for the cold periods of time it is equipped with electrical heater.
Comparing them with classical locomotives, LDH 1500 HP it is also important for us because
it reduces the effort, and of course, it is required an increased attention
distribution", declared Mr. Florin Tanase, engine driver.
Oana Bran
Features and Performances:• Diesel type of engine: - 3512B DITA -CATERPILLAR, SUA;
• nominal Diesel engine power - 1500 HP;
• Specific fuel consume to the nominal power - 148 g/HPh;
• specific oil consume to the nominal power - 0.5g/HPh;
• hydro-mechanical transmission: CATERPILLAR;
• computerized system of surveillance for operation and damage detection;
• maximal locomotive high from the track - 4420 mm;
• maximal width over the covering iron sheet -3088 mm;
• operational mass (supplied 2/3) - 70 t +/- 2%;
• operational mass (not supplied with fuel) - 68 t +/- 2%;
• maximal hauling force at maximal mass, V= 5km/s and adherence coefficient …..=0.3 -215 kN;
• fuel tank capacity- almost 3000 l;
• utilization field: heavy transport.
