The modernized locomotives, designated C30-M, feature a 2,080 horsepower Caterpillar 3512C HD diesel engine with a new driving cab part way along the cut down hood. The frames and trucks from the original locomotives are retained in the rebuilding process.
The engineering design work for the rebuild has been undertaken by Czech company CZ Loko which specializes in rebuilding, although normally old Czech or Soviet designs. The first three C30-M locos were rebuilt for Operail’s own use in late 2018.
Estonian government-owned rail freight company Operail inherited the former U.S. Class I operated diesel locomotives. They were imported from the U.S. in 2002 and 2003.
In late January 2019, Operail signed a contract to lease two rebuilt C30-7As to Ukrainian mining and metal manufacturing firm SCM Group so some of the former Conrail locos will now be operating in Ukraine as well as Estonia.
what a ugly looking engine !
Since Progress Rail now owns the EMD name and Caterpillar owns Progress Rail are these ex-GE’s now effectively EMD’s? Food for thought…
Re-gauged?
Daniel Carney,
Per the article, and I quote: “The frames and trucks from the original locomotives are retained in the rebuilding process.”
It’s kind of strange to think that that very European-style locomotive was first built for Conrail. I wonder how much of the actual, original locomotive is actually left? There really can’t be that much. Is it just the frame?