Ukrainian Railways to expand the range of freight cars of its own make

MOSCOW. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Railways plans to expand the range of freight cars of its own make and will order production of 120 European-type grain hoppers, Ukrainian media said, citing the company press service.

"Ukrainian Railways, which operates numerous enterprises, including car maintenance plants, has built nothing but gondola cars for a long time and now has their surplus. We did not focus on the rolling stock of other kinds," the press service quoted Daniil Glushchenko, deputy director for car production from the Ukrainian Railways production department as saying.

Now, the company's bureaus are designing new freight cars, including fitting platforms, he said. Ukrainian Railways plants have built 500 fitting platforms to date. The production of dump cars and hopper dispensers for track repairs was also started.

Additionally, Ukrainian Railways has built a grain hopper prototype to be used on both 1,520-millimeter and 1,435-millimeter wide tracks. The prototype has been certified for mass production.

"Respective departments of Ukrainian Railways are coordinating an order for 120 European-type grain hoppers to be built by our enterprises for cargo transportation," the press service quoted Glushchenko.

Having established a new branch, Weighting Operator, Ukrainian Railways plans to develop and make a weighing car at its own plants, considering that such cars have not been renovated for long, he said.

By the end of the year, a universal freight car will be developed for use as both as a covered car and a grain hopper. The strength and volume of its body are being calculated, and the production of a pilot batch is planned by the end of 2024.

Earlier, Ukrainian Railways reported making a 65% advance payment to the Kryukov Railway Car Building Works for the production of 66 new passenger cars, including 16 with reserved seats. The deliveries are due in 2025. It also made final payments for 100 new passenger cars ordered in 2021.

In general, in 2023, Ukrainian Railways invested 17.9 billion hryvni in corporate development and restoration. As reported, 76.5% of these funds are the company's own investments and loans.

The company is actively working to attract international investments and loans. In particular, in 2023 it raised 100 million euros from the European Investment Bank for the purchase of equipment and freight cars. It is also working to attract up to 200 million euros as a loan from the EBRD for the Emergency Support for Ukrainian Railways project, $25 million as a loan from the World Bank for the Rehabilitation of Critical Infrastructure and Network Communications (RELINC) project, 37.5 million euros as a loan from the French government, and a Swiss government grant in the amount of 14 million Swiss francs.