UWC to run in Azerbaijan

(Posted on 09/04/20)

PJSC Research and production corporation United Wagon Company, the largest producer of freight cars in Russia , is expanding into Azerbaijan’s railway market. Two agreements on the supply of the first Tikhvin-produced cars with 25 t axle load bogies on Azerbaijan’s railways have been signed with operators Soyuzkontakt-Trans and ATU TRANS.

Forty hopper cars designed for the transportation of grain and grain mill products will be shipped to Soyuzkontakt-Trans by the end of Q2 2020, while 18 flat cars for the transportation of timber will be shipped to ATU TRANS over the same period, with five box cars to arrive by the end of Q3.

The model 19-9549 hopper car is optimized for the transportation of a wide range of grain freight. The increased body volume of 120 m3 and bogie with a 25 t axle load make it possible to use the car’s entire load capacity (76 t), providing for the transportation of up to 6 tonnes in additional freight compared with standard cars. This means that the operator can increase efficiency in transportation and reduce its required fleet size by as much as 15%, leading to savings on maintenance and freight transportation. The car is equipped with five loading hatches, ensuring the even distribution of freight inside the body and reducing loading times.

The model 11-6874 box car is noted for its increased body volume of 175 m3 and its load capacity of up to 73 t, which allows for an additional 5 tonnes in freight transportation per car compared with standard rolling stock. The model 11-6874 can claim the best balance of technical specifications on the market for the transportation of a wide range of freight products. The car’s design makes use of top and side loading hatches, making the process of loading bulk freight faster and easier.

The model 13-6895 (60-foot) flat car for the transportation of timber means the car can be loaded with as much as 30–40% in additional freight compared with standard models, while remaining eligible for the short wheelbase tariff thanks to its increased load capacity of 72.5 t and loading length of 18,850 mm. The uniform-section side beams reduce unused space when transporting packaged freight and prevent it from being damaged during loading and unloading operations. The design of the flooring makes cleaning the flat car more convenient and stops freight residues from falling between the rails.

A system for carrying out uncoupling for current maintenance as well as planned repairs of Tikhvin-produced freight cars has been put in place across the 1,520-mm track gauge area, along with warehouses with the desired turnover of spare parts and components.

Ilyas Safarov, CEO at Soyuzkontakt-Trans: “Turnover from the import and transit of grain throughout Azerbaijan is increasing rapidly. Our company is keeping abreast of this and striving to be at the centre of a new trend for the increased rail transportation of grain. Based on the recommendation of our Russian partner Sim-Trans Group, we have purchased a batch of Tikhvin-produced cars running on 25 t axle load bogies, which can help us to take up leading positions in a competitive market.”

Rafig Shikhamirov, CEO at ATU TRANS: “Cars with 25 t axle load bogies appeared in the 1,520-mm gauge several years ago. Tikhvin-produced wagons are now highly regarded for their reliability, increased load capacity, and optimized costs when it comes to transporting freight and maintaining rolling stock. We will soon see all the benefits of operating these new generation cars in Azerbaijan, in particular with regards to our company’s fleet.”