{"id":5639,"date":"2024-06-21T10:27:05","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T07:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/operail.com\/news\/operaili-ja-ewsa-koostoos-sundis-selle-suve-ponevaim-raudteevedu-uute-skoda-elektrirongide-eestisse-toomine\/"},"modified":"2024-06-21T14:36:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T11:36:48","slug":"operaili-ja-ewsa-koostoos-sundis-selle-suve-ponevaim-raudteevedu-uute-skoda-elektrirongide-eestisse-toomine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/operail.com\/en\/news\/operaili-ja-ewsa-koostoos-sundis-selle-suve-ponevaim-raudteevedu-uute-skoda-elektrirongide-eestisse-toomine\/","title":{"rendered":"In cooperation of Operail and EWSA, this year\u00b4s most exciting rail transport project got a kickstart – bringing new electric trains to Estonia"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the beginning of June, an exciting and complex project got a kickstart \u2013 the transport of Elron’s new electric passenger trains from the \u0160koda factory in the Czech Republic to its home depot in P\u00e4\u00e4sk\u00fcla, Estonia. The train was transported by road to Latvia and then by rail from Latvia onward. Over this and the following year, 15 new electric trains will be similarly transported to Estonia. The forwarder of this project is the international logistics company EWSA, who chose Operail as their transport partner in Estonia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“It was clear from the outset that this was going to be one our most complex and significant projects in Estonia,\u201c acknowledged Vassili Zavoronkov, CEO of EWSA. “During discussions with the manufacturer, the task revealed itself to be even more complex than anticipated,\u201c he added.<\/p>\n

Transporting new trains presents with unique challenges. These trains, unlike regular cargo, cannot yet drive themselves, but cannot be loaded onto wagons like regular cargo either. “The train’s air brake system and electronics are new – untested and unused, and they must reach the buyer in this original state,” Zavoronkov elaborates.<\/p>\n

Operail was chosen as the partner to technically develop and safely execute the complex transport due to its expertise and extensive experience in transport under special conditions. Elron’s current Stadler passenger trains were also delivered by Operail at the time. Zavoronkov added that Operail owns the newest locomotives in the Estonian freight market, offering more options for coupling new electric trains with a diesel freight locomotive, which also spoke in favor of Operail.<\/p>\n

Developing the complex transport plan<\/h2>\n

“Transporting a locomotive or an entire train on its own wheels is already unusual, not to mention when it involves a brand-new train. Organizing such transports requires special methods, knowledge, and good cooperation between several parties,” confirms Kirill Spektor, Oprail’s sales manager of freight transport under special conditions and coordinator of the \u0160koda project. A considerable amount of consultation was also done with the train manufacturer, the \u0160koda factory, during the development of the transport plan.<\/p>\n

The electric passenger train and the diesel freight locomotive have different coupling devices. Spektor explains that special adapters were used to couple the electric train with a Scharfenberg-type automatic coupler to a diesel locomotive with an SA-3-type automatic coupler. After thorough calculations, it was decided to attach exactly five empty freight wagons behind the electric train, whose role was to ensure the braking force of the train, as the brand-new braking system of the electric train could not yet be used. The adapters enabled the connection of the locomotive and wagons’ automatic couplers and air mains.<\/p>\n

Flexible and reliable cooperation<\/h2>\n

\u201eWe are very grateful for the exceptional work and dedication of all the participants in this project. Special thanks to Operail’s sales manager of freight transport under special conditions Kirill Spektor, freight transport specialist Pavel \u017ditnikov, logistician Jegor Sinjov, and head of station work department Nade\u017eda Akr\u00f5mova, who were available for organizing this complex transport both during and outside working hours. Their flexibility, attention to detail, and reliability were instrumental in the success of this project. We also want to thank Operail’s management for offering flexible solutions and reliable service,” said Vassili Zavoronkov in conclusion.<\/p>\n

From 2024 to 2026, EWSA and Operail will transport 15 more \u0160koda electric trains to Estonia for Elron. “Preparatory work is already in full swing,” confirms Kirill Spektor.<\/p>\n