TGK2

 

 

TGK2-832, used by VAE Riga (Latvian division of the Voest Alpine corporation), photographed in Riga on December 11, 2004. Photo by Toms Altbergs (thanks for permission!).

 

 

 

 

Oddities and rarities of Polish railway tracks include a single TGK2 diesel switcher of Soviet origin. Perhaps ironically, this is one of the most widespread light switchers in Europe, with about 10,000 examples built.

TGK2 was developed at the Kaluga machine building factory – hence ‘K’ in type designation –  from earlier TGK (684 built between 1958 and 1962), from which it differed mainly in more powerful diesel engine, improved suspension and slightly modified body. Both were intended to replace steam engines on minor industrial sidings and at depots. Prototype was completed in 1960 and production started two years later. TGK2 is powered with the U1D6-250TK six-cylinder diesel engine, initially rated at 220 hp and later boosted up to 250 hp. It is fitted with a two-stage hydraulic transmission which gives maximum speed of 60 km/h in the line operation mode and 30 km/h in the switching mode, tractive effort being 3.6 tonnes and 7.2 tonnes, respectively. TGK2-1, built in parallel with the original variant, is fitted with one-stage transmission (switching mode only).

According to Russian sources (www.scado.narod.ru), this type still remains in production, with at least 9136 examples built, including TGK2-1s. In 1996, an improved version appeared, designated TGK2M, differing in U1D6-TK-S5 diesel engine rated at 275 hp and new transmission (switching mode only – maximum speed 28 km/h) and heavier by four tonnes. The above-mentioned source gives seven examples built until 2003. TGK2E was an export version for the 1435 mm track. Prototype was built in 1977 and orders came from Czechoslovakia (about 55 examples, class T203.05, later re-classed 706.5) and Eastern Germany (probably 184) – in both cases solely for industry. Production totaled about 300 examples.

The sole Polish TGK2 (s/n 7492/1986), in fact most probably a TGK2E, was taken over from the Soviet army by military authorities and remains in use at the military depot in Duninów in western Poland. The book by Zbigniew Tucholski (see References) gives the Ls250 designation, which is consistent with the system used in past for industrial diesel locomotives. No photos are known to exist.

 

Main technical data

 

No.

Parameter

Unit

Value

1.

Years of manufacture

-

1960 – ?

2.

Total built / used in Poland

-

? / 1

3.

Axle arrangement

-

B

4.

Transmission type

-

hydraulic

5.

Design maximum speed

km/h

30 / 601)

6.

Prime mover type

-

U1D6-250TK

7.

Engine rating

kW/hp

184 / 2502)

8.

Bore X stroke

mmXmm

150 X 180

9.

Number of cylinders

-

6

10.

Number of electric engines

-

-

11.

Rated output of electric engines

kW

-

12.

Main reduction gear ratio

-

 

13.

Diameter of drivers

mm

900

14.

Total weight

kg

28 000

15.

Axle load

T

14

16.

Axle base

mm

3 200

17.

Overall length

mm

8 360

18.

Maximum width

mm

3 074

19.

Train heating

-

-

20.

Brake type

-

Westinghouse

1)      Switching / line operation.

2)     220 hp in early variant.

 

References and acknowledgments

 

-        LOZD vol.2, AL;

-        Polish State Railways as a means of transportation for the Warsaw Pact armed forces by Zbigniew Tucholski (IHN PAN, Warsaw, 2009),

-        www.scado.narod.ru, www.rangierdiesel.de; 

-        Toms Altbergs (private communication – thanks a lot!).