Sakhalin Is Choosing a Multiple Unit Supplier

Sakhalin is choosing a multiple unit supplier, the Gudok reports. The trains might be supplied by Transmashholding, Ural Locomotives or Stadler.

Sakhalin Passenger Company (Sakhalin multiple unit operator, fully owned by RZD), is to take a decision together with Sakhalin Government.

Sakhalin’s fleet is nearly 30 years old. The peninsula operates D-2 DMUs manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries especially for Sakhalin narrow gauge (1067 mm). The life of the DMUs expire in 2018.

The new trains might be supplied by Transmashholding, Ural Locomotives or Stadler, the Far-Eastern Railway believes. The options will soon be announced at the meeting with Sakhalin Oblast Governor Oleg Kozhemyako.

Transmashholding’s Metrovagonmash is considering production of a rail bus, Metrovagonmash General Director Andrey Andreev said. Ural Locomotives already supply the TG-16 freight diesel locomotives to Sakhalin. No order for designing a passenger loco for Sakhalin has been received yet, the company says. As for Stadler, no Russian company requested any supplies to Sakhalin so far, Stadler CEO Peter Spuhler said.

The new trains have to be designed for the Russian gauge (1520 mm).