Today in Zamość a contract was signed between PKP Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa spółka z o.o. and NEWAG S.A, for modernising ten ST44 diesel locomotives.
The contract concerns modernisation of the ST44 locos and upgrading them to the 311Da type. The first modernised loco will be supplied by the end of March 2018 with the remaining locos to be delivered by the end of 2018. The net value of the contract exceeds PLN 95 million.
Currently, PKP LHS has a fleet of seventeen 311Da locomotives. These locos are designed to pull heavy freight trains along wide-gauge lines. After the modernisation is completed, PKP LHS will have a total of 27 locomotives of this type. The unified rolling stock will enable the company to run multiple-traction trains and will simplify its locomotive maintenance system.
Since 2007, NEWAG S.A. has performed a few dozen modernisations of this type. The diesel freight locomotive type 311D/311Da was created as a result of a complete modernisation of a Russian locomotive type M62, which was known on the Polish railway market as ST44.
NEWAG S.A. is one of the oldest railway companies in Poland, with extensive experience in the production and modernisation of rolling stock. Its plant located in Nowy Sącz manufactures electric and diesel multiple units, electric locomotives, underground trains and trams. It is also at this plant where diesel locomotives and other rail vehicles are modernised.
NEWAG S.A. has a stable and very strong market position in Poland. In recent years, NEWAG S.A. Capital Group has dominated the domestic market in the modernisation of diesel locomotives and the production of electric multiple units.