OREANDA-NEWS. June 04, 2010. Vyksa Steel Works (VSW, Nizhni Novgorod Region), part of United Metallurgical Company (OMK), has manufactured a pilot batch of rolled wheel centers of 900 mm in diameter designed for rail traction equipment.

The pilot batch of rolled wheel centers was tested in late March 2010. The Commission included representatives of Russian Railways, VNIIZhT, VNIKTI, and VSW. It was concluded that VSW’s technical production level, available equipment, measurement and test instrumentation, completeness of corporate production documentation, and personnel skill level meet relevant quality requirements for the production of rolled wheel centers designed for diesel locomotives.

Locomotive centers are among the most important components of the undercarriage of rail traction equipment. As distinguished from the casting practice, the rolling technology makes it possible to achieve higher strength and service reliability in wheel centers.

The VSW Wheel Rolling Division launches new products in accordance with the Program for the Quality Enhancement and Development of New Products by VSW for 2010–2015, approved by Russian Railways Senior Vice President Valentin Gapanovich in January 2010. “Russian Railways is the most important strategic partner for OMK. Owing to the long-term contract between our companies, VSW conducted a large-scale modernization of its wheel-rolling facilities. At present, our research and technological potential is adequate to further improve competitive capacity of our products,” said OMK Vice President and VSW Executive Director Vladimir Kochetkov.

Let us remind that in 2003 OMK and Russian Railways entered into a long-term contract to supply up to 5 million wheels until 2010, including new harder-rim wheels jointly developed by VSW and Russian Railways. More than USD 100 million was invested to modernize the VSW wheel-rolling facilities. It is planned to invest thrice as much until 2015.