The Kolomna Plant, part of "TMH-Energetic Solutions", has completed the delivery of two specialized EP2K electric locomotives (serial numbers 510 and 511) for the legendary "Red Arrow" train. The locomotives have already been handed over to the Oktyabrskaya Railway and have begun operating on the Moscow-St. Petersburg route.
The new locomotives are distinguished not only by their signature livery, which refers to the historical image of the train, but also by a number of technical improvements aimed at improving safety and ease of operation.
Instead of traditional rear-view mirrors, digital video systems have been installed: high-resolution cameras are placed on the sides, and two touch-screen displays are in the driver's cab. The crew can flexibly adjust the brightness, select an active camera, or turn off one of the screens at night, reducing visual stress.
Additionally, the locomotives are equipped with modern LED headlights, which provide brighter illumination of the track in the dark and do not require mechanical focusing, unlike outdated halogen counterparts.
EP2K is a Russian six-axle DC electric passenger locomotive. The name stands for "Electric Passenger Locomotive, type 2, with Collector traction drive."
Some technical characteristics of the electric locomotive:
- Type of current and voltage in the contact network — direct current, 3 kV.
- Axle arrangement — 30–30.
- Dimensions: length along the automatic coupler axes — 21,700 mm, width — 3086 mm, height of the current collector from the rail level: in the lowered position — 5100 mm, in the working position — 5500–7000 mm.
- Total wheelbase — 16,850 mm, bogie wheelbase — 4600 mm.
- Diameter of new wheels — 1250 mm.
- Track width — 1520 mm.
- Minimum radius of curves passable — 125 m.
- Service weight — 135 t.
- Axle load on rails — 221 kN (22.54 tf).
- Engine power: in continuous mode — 6 × 720 = 4320 kW, in hourly mode — 6 × 800 = 4800 kW.
- Tractive effort: when starting from a standstill — 302 kN (30.8 tf), in hourly mode — 192.8 kN (19.7 tf), in continuous mode — 167.4 kN (17.1 tf).
- Speed: design — 160 km/h.
- Electric heating system power — 1200 kW.
- Rheostatic brake power — 4000 kW.
- Maximum braking force — 210 kN (21.4 tf).