OREANDA-NEWS. February 28, 2011. Tikhvin Freight Car Manufacturing Plant (TVSZ) has delivered to Freight One the first batch of fully tested and certified freight cars as part of an agreement to implement innovative railway technology.

The six Model 19—9835 fertilizer hoppers in the first batch, with axial load of 23.5 metric tons, will be used on test runs. TVSZ will also deliver hatch-type gondolas based on the Barber S-2-R bogie in the near future.

TVSZ’s new-generation freight cars, which the American company Starfire Engineering & Technologies (a well-established developer of the rolling stock in North America) helped to design, are spacious, high-capacity, durable and easy-to-use.

The TVSZ hoppers meet the highest quality standards related to the haulage of minerals for industry. The Barber bogie hoppers have an axial load of 25 metric tons and a payload of 76.5 metric tons. When equipped with a body of 101 cubic meters, it is possible to haul 5—6 metric tons more and achieve a 7% reduction in the rate. The increased volume of the hopper’s bunkers made it possible to lower the center of gravity, providing added safety against tipping over, while the increased hatch size makes loading easier. The hopper has been found to be sufficiently easy to service and can be repaired in any depot.

Sergei Kaletin, Freight One’s Deputy General Director for Technical Development and Chief Engineer, says, "We’re pleased to be purchasing TVSZ’s new-generation rolling stock. The new cars are superior to those designed in the Soviet era, which we are phasing out. Being the first carrier to use the new-generation cars, we’re hoping to set a trend for all owners of rolling stock."

Maxim Kuzemchenko, Director of TVSZ’s Trade House, says "TVSZ focuses on innovation that significantly improves efficiency and performance, getting more done with less rolling stock, achieving lower maintenance cost and a lower rate."