TU2 diesel locomotive

TU2 (ТУ2) is a Soviet narrow gauge diesel locomotive for the gauge of RailGauge|750 (the most popular narrow gauge in Soviet Union).

History

The decision the replace steam locomotives by diesels on the narrow gauge railways was taken after the Second World War. The first diesel locomotive built for the 750 mm narrow gauge railways was the TU1; that was built in 1954. Only two locomotives of this type were built.

The design of the TU2 was based on the TU1, but the TU2 was improved. The first TU2 was built in 1955. The tests of the first TU2 were held on the test site of the Central Scientific Institute (in Shatura), that belonged to the Ministry of the Ways and Communications. The tests were successful, so the TU2 were taken into production.

The only factory that produced the TU2 was Kaluga machine factory. The first three locomotives were tested again, in Panevėžys, (Lithuania) and Pärnu, (Estonia). During the tests, the locomotive could run as fast as convert|76|km/h|mph|0|lk=on|abbr=on. But due to the poor tracks on most of the country's narrow gauge railways, the highest allowed speed during normal operation was convert|50|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on.

TU2 diesel locomotives were produced till 1959; 281 locomotives were built.

These were used on many narrow gauge railways to move cargo as well as passenger trains. Later they were replaced by more modern designs. As of 2007, they are no longer in use on the narrow gauge railways in Russia, but some narrow gauge railways in Ukraine still use them. Many children's railways use TU2 locomotives too. One railway in Lithuania also still uses TU2.

Design

TU2 is a diesel-electric locomotive. The main diesel engine is 1D12, it produces 300 hp. The main engine drives the electric generator (195 kW), that drives four traction motors, 62 kW each.

References

* [http://home.zonnet.nl/p.engelbert/ The TU2-pages]
* [http://narrow.parovoz.com/Tu2-eng.html Description on the Russian narrow gauge encyclopedia site]
* [http://www.dzd-ussr.ru/ps/tu2/index.html Description of the Childrens railways site] (Russian only)
*The book: Узкоколейный тепловоз ТУ2. Государственное транспортное железнодорожное издательство. Москва 1958.