ST48 / 15D /16D
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ST48-002, rebuilt from SM48-83 for PKP Cargo, was exhibited at the TRAKO
fair in Gdańsk in September 2013.
Broad-gauge 16D-002 (rebuilt SM48-041),
location unknown, March 3, 2013. Photo by someone who wishes to be known as
Danio11 (source: www.commons.wikimedia.org).
ST48-024 (rebuilt SM48-060) from the PKP Cargo fleet hauls a draft of coal
cars…
…and idle ST48-015 (rebuilt SM48-049). Ostrołęka station, Poland, August 2, 2015.
Another picture of the ST48-024: Czeremcha, October 25, 2015.
ST48-011 (rebuilt SM48-078), photographed in Siemianówka on November 24, 2018.
15D/A-039 (rebuilt TEM2-162, originally
delivered to PTKiGK Rybnik in 1981 and sold to ZIK engineering company in 2006,
modernized in 2018); Sandomierz, June 2, 2019.
Another picture of the 15D/A-039, taken on
July 11, 2021, at the same location.
The same location, date and operator:
15D/A-106 (rebuilt TEM2-251). Originally delivered to Siarkopol sulfur mine in Tarnobrzeg, it was sold in 2003 and rebuilt in 2019.
ST48-030 (rebuilt SM48-040), PKP
Cargo, photographed in Sokołów Podlaski on June 18, 2021.
ST48-046 (rebuilt SM48-107), PKP
Cargo, photographed in Zwierzyniec on August
29, 2021.
Sokołów Podlaski
again: ST48-014 (rebuilt SM48-059), PKP
Cargo, July 15, 2022.
ST48-009 (rebuilt SM48-035), photographed near Warszawa Praga station on November 16, 2023.
The same location: ST48-024 (rebuilt SM48-060), PKP Cargo, May 23, 2024.
Another picture of the ST48-024: the same location, June 27, 2024.
TEM2-041 was withdrawn from sand railways in June 2023 and intended
for scrapping, but instead was rebuilt and re-entered service with ZIK Sandomierz
in June 2024 as 15D/A-133. Sandomierz, July 27, 2024.
Two locomotives photographed at the Puławy Azoty station on September 22, 2024: 15D/A-116…
… and 15D/A-117. Both are operated by Lubelski Węgiel coal mining enterprise. |
Between 1974 and 1990 Polish operators (both PKP and industry) took delivery of 439 TEM2 six-axle switchers with electric transmission, built by Bryansk Engineering Works (BMZ). With PKP they were classed SM48. These locomotives, based on wartime ALCO RSD1 design, proved robust, reliable and well-suited to intended tasks, but could hardly be considered modern. They survived mass withdrawal of diesel motive power in the 1990s, only few being written off. A need for modernization was, however, evident. Between 2003 and 2004 six TEM2s, operated by Pol-Miedź Trans, were fitted with more powerful MTU engines. Much more extensive modernization was proposed by Newag. It was decided to retain only frame and trucks (with traction engines) of the old design, married with new high-rpm diesel engine, new AC generator and completely redesigned body. Caterpillar 3512C 12-cylinder diesel engine supplanted old six-cylinder inline PD1M unit, rated power increasing from 1200 hp to 2108 hp. New engine is much lighter, so some ballast had to be added in order to provide proper adhesion. Specific fuel consumption was reduced and new power unit is compliant with current emission standards. Lower and narrower engine casing contributes to much better forward view, which is especially important during switching. Driver’s cab has been thoroughly redesigned and is fitted with state-of-the-art control instruments (two identical panels for two directions), air conditioning and efficient heating system. Silhouette has changed completely and new locomotive hardly resembles old familiar ‘Tamara’. Two modernization packages have been offered, with factory designations 15D and 16D, for standard and broad gauge, respectively. Prototype 15D-001 was outshopped in mid-2010 and underwent service tests with LHS broad-gauge line (PKP subsidiary) and Kolprem. In March 2011 it was accepted by LHS and re-designated 16D-001. Until 2013 eight more 16Ds were delivered, six to LHS and two to Kolprem. 16D-009, temporarily fitted with standard-gauge trucks, was exhibited at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin in 2012. In May 2013 PKP Cargo ordered thirty conversions to the 15D standard. Designation was changed to ST48, indicating that ‘new’ locomotive is intended primarily for line service. First example, rebuilt from SM48-069, was outshopped in August 2013 and the whole order was completed until March 2016. Those from ST48-003 onwards have been slightly redesigned, with new pneumatic systems, and are known as factory type 15D/A. ST48-002 was exhibited at the TRAKO fair in Gdańsk in October 2013. In April 2018 further contract was signed between Newag and PKP Cargo, this time for sixty conversions to be completed between October 2018 and May 2021. In the meantime, five 15Ds were delivered to Orlen KolTrans, Bartex and Enea. Other operators and leasing companies followed suit. Both PKP Cargo and private operators still have many SM48s in use, so further conversions are likely to follow. At the time of writing (June 2021) total number of conversions has reached 120 examples, including 88 ST48s for PKP Cargo, 24 15Ds for various private operators and eight broad-gauge 16Ds for LHS (a PKP subsidiary). 16D-008 (ex TEM2-058) was re-gauged in May 2018 and re-numbered 15D-040. Main
technical data
1)
Conversions. 2)
Until June 2021. 3)
Depending on coupling type. 4)
Standard-gauge and broad-gauge variants. References and acknowledgments
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Article by Paweł Terczyński in SK
vol. 9/2014; -
www.kolejowaklatka.org (website
by Marek Dąbrowski); -
www.ilostan.forumkolejowe.pl;
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Newag folders. |
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