Železiarne Podbrezová a.s., a Slovakian manufacturer of steel and seamless steel tubes, will receive the first of three EffiShunter 600 locomotives from CZ LOKO at the end of February. The remaining ones will follow in quick succession, with the full completion of the order scheduled for the end of March and the beginning of April. The locomotives will be deployed on the company’s sidings for demanding steel operations.
"Železiarne Podbrezová is the first Slovakian siding operator to opt for a complete modernisation of its locomotive fleet. For us, this means a huge commitment to meet customer expectations in the demanding conditions of steelworks,” says Michal Schaffer, CZ LOKO Sales Department Manager.
The modern EffiShunters 600 were created by rebuilding the forty-year-old ČKD Class T448 shunting locomotives. They save users significant operating and maintenance costs, as only the bogie and frame remain from the original vehicle. However, even these undergo testing and modifications, everything else is brand new.
“The management of the joint stock company Železiarne Podbrezová decided to invest in the modernisation of three locomotives because of their wear and tear, after more than 40 years of demanding operation. From the modernization we expect mainly higher operational reliability, lower operating costs and lower maintenance costs. In this way we will extend the life cycle of the locomotives and improve the working conditions of our drivers,” said Ing. Peter Krajan, Head of Transport.
At Třinec ironworks, which was the birthplace of the EffiShunter 600 in 2015, fuel costs have been reduced by around 25 percent compared to the original locomotives. With lower failure rates and higher operational reliability, routine maintenance costs have also dropped. The new control system allows online access to speedometer and operating data. The vehicles have a hood dust filter, stainless steel air tanks and air lines or an air-conditioned driver's cab. The 563 kW Caterpillar C18 diesel engine meets EU Stage V emission standards.
“For the user, this is a radical saving in operating costs. The fleet will be managed in the MyLOKO electronic system, which is used, among other things, to manage maintenance and to monitor the location, consumption and other variables,” added Michal Schaffer.
Železiarne Podbrezová is one of the leading European producers of seamless steel pipes with an annual production of about 160,000 tonnes. The ŽP Group brand covers production plants in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Spain, which supply products to 50 countries.
Železiarne Podbrezová
Foto: Dalibor Palko