Hundredth NP1

On 25 January 2020, NEVZ handed over NP1-100 to SGOK, completing the contract for the supply of two Class NP1 traction units for use on iron ore trains, signed in May 2020.

SGOK stands for Stoylensky Gorno-Obogatitelny Kombinat (where iron ore is mined and refined), situated at Stary Oskol, in the region Belgorodskaya oblast. It is one of the leading Russian enterprises for the production of iron ore raw materials. 

The NP1 is described in Russia as „tyagovy agregat“ („traction unit“). It forms part of another area in which NEVZ is very active - the building of industrial and mine locomotives for use in opencast and underground mine workings. Some of these designs will be totally unfamiliar to readers in western Europe. 

The NP1, whose production started in 2003, consists of an electric locomotive (E), 20,000 mm in length over couplings, hauling two powered dumpcars (D), each 17,340 mm in length over couplings. NP1s can operate as a locomotive on their own, or with one or two powered dumpcars (E, E + D or E + 2D).

The whole consist, which might best be described as a freight trainset with distributed traction, has a 3 x Bo’Bo’ wheel arrangement, a power rating of 7,600 kW, a tractive effort of 1,200 kN, and a maximum operating speed of 65 km/h. Maximum gross weight is 3 x 124 t, with a maximum axle load of 30.4 t.

This unusual train is designed to operate on industrial networks of 1,520 mm gauge electrified at 10 kV 50 Hz. Another peculiarity is that both roof pantographs (two) and side pantographs (four) can be fitted. No fewer than five braking systems - electric rheostatic, direct and automatic pneumatic, hand and magnetic - can be fitted. 

In 2020, NEVZ manufactured six traction units for various customers. NP1s successfully operate at mining and processing plants and open-pit mines in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.