OREANDA-NEWS. The new one-section AC electric freight locomotive E5K manufactured by the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant (NEVZ, a Transmashholding-integrated company) has successfully undergone factory tests.

According to the press service of Transmashholding, the locomotive was sent for the exploitation run to the Bataysk depot (North-Caucasian Railway).

The 5,000 km run between Lihaya, Bataysk and Timashevskaya stations is aimed at checking the electric locomotive operation capability, systems and equipment compliance, and design modes feasibility. The weight of the real trains to be lead by the electric locomotive will be figured out in accordance with its specifications, and the exploitation track features. The run time is expected to total from two to three weeks.

The run complete, the locomotive will be sent for certificate dynamic and durability tests and track load tests to the VNIIJT test range located at Belorechenskaya station (also North-Caucasian Railway).

The E5K is a 2ES5K Ermak derivative. It is designed to carry light and medium-weight trains. The one-section locomotives are used to cut electricity and exploitation costs, which are too high when small trains, are lead by very powerful locomotives.

The E5K will be manufactured to replace VL60K, which was under NEVZ production from 1957 till 1967.