Just yesterday I ran across an interesting tidbit from the folks at GE about how they are modernizing the works of Soviet-era diesels:]
they said "Soviet-era" in quotes but I'm not sure any irony was intended. Literal "Soviet Era" would be 1917 to 1990 or -91 but I guess it's possible that a locomotive works founded under Communism might continue to produce at least a few more units after the Fall.
I got it by going to ge.com; Investors; Annual Reports (2007); download (.pdf); use search function for "Locomotive." If you'd rather not call up or download a big .pdf document (A.R. alone has over 100 pages), you could probably use a general search function within GE.
And -- gotta love this -- GE managed to tie the refurbishment (if that's the word) into the corporater concern for the environment. I'm sure they're right, but who would have thought of this angle even a couple of years ago? The exteriors, which do indeed date from many years ago, have a kind of 1960s SNCF "zigzag" look with upfront cab.
I'll start another thread if you like, but while we're at it how did European motive power get (or keep) that flattish or zig-zag front with cab up front, unlike the nose of the typical N.Am/Australian/etc cab?
This is from ge.ecomagination.com:
Russian-Built Locomotive Modernizations
Introduction
A locomotive modernization kit is essentially a "heart transplant" for a locomotive.Modernization is a compelling alternative for upgrading existing fleets when faced with higher fuel prices, increasing maintenance costs and issues of availability. Modernizations cost substantially less than a new locomotive, and can extend asset life by 15-20 years.
Benefits
Environmental Benefit - Did you know:
Modernizing existing "Soviet-era" Russian-built locomotives translates into reduced fuel consumption of up to 250,000 liters - or US$ 100,000 - per year per locomotive. Modernizing the locomotives will also significantly reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 767 tons, the equivalent of removing 134 cars from the road for a year in the United States. And the modernization reduces the amount of lube oil required for maintenance by up to 75 percent annually, reducing the amount of oil needed by up to 17,000 liters per year per locomotive.
Source: GE Transportation
Operating Benefit - Did you know:
Existing "Soviet-era" Russian-built locomotives modernized by GE reduce the amount of lube oil required for maintenance by up to 75 percent annually. In addition, annual operations costs are reduced by up to US$ 75,000 per locomotive. Availability is increased by up to 58 days per year per locomotive, resulting in an approximate annual savings of up to 145,000 USD per locomotive. Modernizing existing locomotives also improves operating performance by increasing availability. For example, If 100 existing locomotives were upgraded with GE modernization technologies, the same freight load could be hauled using 30 fewer locomotives.
Source: GE Transportation, Rail.
Detailed Information
Bringing new life to aging locomotives
Purchasing new locomotives is extremely expensive, yet older models consume significant amounts of fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases. With GE's modernization kit, older locomotives can receive a "heart transplant" that will lower lifecycle costs, upgrade fleet performance and reduce the use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases.
GE's locomotive modernization kit provides increased reliability while reducing operating costs. The kit consists of a new engine, computer system and cooling system. Modernizations cost substantially less than new locomotives and extend the life of a locomotive by 15 to 20 years. Additionally, this solution can easily upgrade existing fleets when operators are faced with higher fuel prices, increasing maintenance costs and issues of reliability and availability.
GE upgraded Kazakhstan's KZT Railway's existing Russian-built locomotives. This modernization translated into less consumption of fossil fuels and lower emissions. Specifically, fuel volumes have been reduced by up to 250,000 liters per year per locomotive and fuel economy is likely to improve by US$ 100,000 annually. GE's modernization of the "Soviet-era" locomotives reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 767 tons, the equivalent of removing 134 cars from the road for a year in the United States. It also reduced the amount of lube oil required for maintenance by up to 75 percent annually, an oil volume savings of up to 17,000 liters per year per locomotive.
Locomotive modernizations reduce annual operating costs by up to US$ 75,000 per locomotive. Availability of the locomotive for service is increased by 58 days per year per locomotive, resulting in an approximate annual savings of 145,000 USD per locomotive. If only 100 existing locomotives were upgraded with GE modernization technologies, the same freight load could be hauled using 30 fewer locomotives.
Links & Downloads
Download Specification Sheets
Related Links
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