Together with Skinest Ukraina and the Daugavpils locomotive factory (Latvia), Newag will modernize old M62 diesel locomotives for the Ukrainian market. There are approximately 600 locomotives of the type in the Ukraine. The demand for a modernized version is estimated at about 150-200 locomotives and is driven by increased reliability problems with the M62s. On November 26, the companies signed the framework contract for the project.
Newag states that it has already experience with similar modernized locomotives operating on the LHS broad gauge network (311Da) and the artist's impression released by the Polish manufacturer also hints at a similar design to the 311D/311Da. However, compared to the 311D/311Da we know from Poland, it seems that their counterparts for the Ukraine will feature a closed body design.
(Newag)