The old diesel locomotives will also remain in use, as their traffic will increase in the next few years.
To Finland VR’s first new diesel locomotive has arrived. The locomotive is the first of a total of 60 locomotives used by the VR Group decided in 2019 to be ordered for EUR 200 million.
According to the company, the new locomotives will mainly serve freight traffic. However, diesel locomotives are still needed in passenger traffic, as the journey between Kemi and Kolari is devoid of electricity.
About locomotives the first to start commercial traffic in 2023. They are manufactured by the Spanish Stadler Rail Valencia.
Why Will VR introduce new diesel locomotives, even if electric locomotives are used?
VR wants to be a pioneer in environmental matters, starts VR Group’s Director of Traffic and Safety Ilkka Heiskanen.
According to him, propulsion other than electricity is needed, as just over half of Finland’s approximately 6,000 kilometers are electrified.
“We also considered battery, hydrogen and gas technologies, but so far they have not been able to meet our needs in Finnish conditions,” says Heiskanen.
According to Heiskanen, the entire railway network will hardly be electrified in the future, for example in the yards of factories and ports. In addition, electrification would become expensive on low-traffic sections.
New ones diesel locomotives are still lower in emissions than their predecessors, the oldest of which were introduced in 1963.
The traction capacity of new locomotives is double that of old locomotives. They have a familiar start-stop system that reduces idling and better emission filters.
In addition, their diesel engine can be replaced in the future if a better solution is found.
Today in the locomotives delivered five. Before the traffic starts, the locomotives are tested. Deliveries will continue steadily until 2026.
According to Heiskanen, the old diesel locomotives will also remain in use, as in the next few years, for example, the start-up of Metsä Group’s Kemi bioproduct plant will significantly increase the traffic of diesel locomotives.
Although the price of electricity has risen, according to Heiskanen, it is generally worthwhile to continue to run on electricity whenever possible.
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