The advanced domestic electric locomotive "Malachite" has been accepted by a special interdepartmental commission. This means that the issue of launching mass production will be resolved within a few weeks. The first batch, which will be at the disposal of Russian Railways, includes 50 locomotives.
The main difference between the "Malachite" and its predecessors is a new asynchronous traction drive with traction converters and traction motors of Russian production. A monocoque body is also used instead of a body with a main frame. Another notable innovation is the software with the function of self-learning and automatic train driving.
"Today's event can be considered the beginning of a new milestone in the history of Russian railway engineering. With its appearance, 3ES8 opens the basic "Malachite" platform, the development of which involves the production of AC locomotives and dual-system machines as well", - said Vitaly Brekson, First Deputy General Director of Ural Locomotives.
In the future, a new domestic platform will be created on the basis of "Malachite", within which AC locomotives and dual-system machines will be produced.