Rebuild of GE C30-7 arrives in Finland

[mindenjohn]

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This is an article from Skandiapilen, the journal of the Scandinavian Railway Society which I trust is of interest in that there's life in old chassis yet! I have changed the prose a little and shortened it.
Operail Dr21 arrives from Estonia
Class Dr21 1570, named "Jakob" arrived in Hanko docks by sea from Paldiski in Estonia on 15/07/21, and next day was hauled to Kotas. Operail's 1570 is one of their class C30-M, which are rebuilds of General Electric class C30-7A Co-Co locos built in USA in the mid 1980s. In 2003 EVR (Estonian Railways) was privately controlled, 19 C30-7A were converted to broad gauge and classified C30-Ai, exported from USA to Estonia for use on oil traffic to/from Russia. They were painted red & gold in a livery similar to EWS (UK) and Wisconsin Central not surprisingly as Ed Burkhart was EVR Chairman until it was re-nationlaised in 2007. The re-organisation became Operail in 2018.
The locos were rebuilt in a joint venture with Czech company CZ Loko. The frames, trucks and traction motors were retained but engine and generator were replaced using a Caterpillar 12 cyl 1550kW 3512 HD engine (compliant with Euro IIIA emission standards) and a Siemens alternator. CZ Loko provided the cab, hoods and control systems in kit form. Max speed is now 100km/h down from 125km/h and weight is reduced from 180t to 138t. The loco was rebuilt in 2020 and now needs to be fitted with Finnish signalling equipment and then awaits type approval before entering service. It can however be used for testing and to gain mileage (it needs mileage to get type approval).

Both photographs are courtesy of and copyright of Operail Raul Mee. Not for commercial distribution.