Innovations in Locomotive Repair: Interview with Dmitry Chuprina, Director of “GROUP DIESEL” LTD

Rail transport plays a key role in the economy, ensuring the transportation of goods and passengers over long distances. The reliability and efficiency of locomotives and diesel locomotives directly depend on quality maintenance and timely repairs. “GROUP DIESEL” LTD is one of the leading companies in this field, offering a wide range of services for the technical maintenance and modernization of railway equipment.

Today, we are speaking with the company’s director, Dmitry Chuprina. He will share how “GROUP DIESEL” ensures high-quality standards in locomotive and diesel locomotive repairs, introduces innovative technologies, and supports railway safety. We will also discuss the company’s unique services, such as on-site repairs, wheelset re-profiling without removal, and repairs of various diesel engine models.

– Good afternoon, Dmitry! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Your company, “GROUP DIESEL” LTD, is known as an expert in locomotive repairs. Could you tell us about your main areas of operation?

• Good afternoon! I’m pleased to have the opportunity to talk about our company. “GROUP DIESEL” specializes in the comprehensive maintenance and repair of railway equipment. Our main areas include the repair of diesel locomotives and locomotives, repair of transport diesel engines, and on-site service for various brands and models of locomotives.

We provide a full range of services, from diagnostics and preventive maintenance to major overhauls and modernization of components and assemblies. We focus particularly on critical components such as engines, hydraulic transmissions, compressors, and wheelsets. Our goal is to ensure reliable and efficient operation of our clients’ railway equipment, minimizing downtime and reducing operating costs. For this purpose, we have a team of managers who monitor every locomotive under our service. A month before a scheduled inspection by the NDTI (Non-Destructive Testing Institute), the owner is informed of the required scope of work, and measures are planned accordingly.

In addition, we offer services for the calibration of control equipment and railway transport safety. This includes the repair and calibration of movement control devices, extending the service life of locomotive running gear with a technical solution and documentation approval. Our highly skilled specialists ensure all work complies with current regulatory requirements.

– You mentioned on-site locomotive repair. What advantages does this service provide to your clients, and how is it organized?

• On-site repair is one of our key areas that allows us to be closer to the client and respond to their needs. Our rule is prompt response, arriving on-site within 24 hours. The main advantage is that our specialists travel directly to the location of the equipment, significantly reducing downtime and eliminating the need to transport the locomotive to a repair depot.

We are equipped with mobile tools and equipment necessary to perform a wide range of tasks on-site. This includes scheduled and preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and minor and medium repairs. We service various locomotive series, such as TGK2, TGM1, TGM23, TGM40, TGM3, TGM4, TGM6, TEM2, and ChME3.

The organization of on-site repairs involves careful planning and coordination with the client. We discuss the scope of work, deadlines, and required resources in advance to ensure maximum efficiency. This approach allows us to adapt flexibly to the specific needs of each enterprise and provide high-quality services.

– One of your company’s unique services is wheelset re-profiling without removal and on-site cooling system cleaning. Can you tell us more about this technology and its benefits?

• Wheelset re-profiling without removal is an innovative technology that allows wheel profile restoration directly on-site, without dismantling and transporting the wheelsets. We use mobile reprofiling equipment installed under the locomotive to perform all necessary operations.

The main advantages of this method are time and resource savings. The absence of dismantling reduces equipment downtime and lowers repair costs. The reprofiling process takes significantly less time compared to traditional methods, allowing the locomotive to return to service quickly.

Additionally, this technology enhances railway safety. Regular wheelset reprofiling reduces the risk of wear and deformation, which in turn lowers the chance of derailment and track damage. We recommend performing this procedure periodically to ensure long-term reliability and efficiency.

We also developed a mobile stand for cleaning cooling systems on-site, which significantly reduces repair and maintenance time. As a result, restoring operating parameters related to temperature management leads to substantial fuel savings.

– Your company also handles repairs of the UGP 750-1200/202PR hydraulic transmission. What challenges arise during the repair of this component, and how do you address them?

• The UGP 750-1200/202PR hydraulic transmission is a complex and precision mechanism responsible for transferring power from the engine to the locomotive’s wheels. Its proper functioning is critical for the efficiency and safety of the entire locomotive. Repairing this unit requires deep technical knowledge and experience.

We perform detailed diagnostics using modern equipment, allowing us to identify both obvious and hidden defects. We place special emphasis on the quality of parts and materials used, choosing only trusted suppliers.

Our approach to hydraulic transmission repair involves disassembly, cleaning, replacement of worn components, reassembly, and testing on a special stand. For this purpose, we have acquired an oil station up to 3000 MPa for hydraulic assembly and disassembly. After repair, the transmission undergoes mandatory running and control tests, ensuring reliable operation in real conditions.

– How is the process of repairing compressors like PC-35M, VP-3.5/9, PC-5.25, and KT-6 organized at your company?

• Compressor repair is an important area of our work since these units play a key role in the locomotive’s pneumatic systems. The repair process begins with a thorough diagnosis, where we assess the condition of all components and determine the necessary scope of work.

We then disassemble the compressor and replace worn parts, such as pistons, valves, bearings, and seals. Great attention is paid to the accuracy of assembly and adherence to technical parameters to ensure optimal performance and durability.

After assembly, the compressor undergoes a series of tests on specialized stands to check its working characteristics, including performance, pressure, and tightness. We provide a warranty for the work performed, confirming our responsibility and commitment to high-quality service.

– Railway safety is crucial. How does your company contribute to equipment monitoring and movement safety?

• Safety is indeed our top priority. We provide verification and repair services for control and safety devices, such as speedometers, automatic locomotive signaling, braking systems, and other critical equipment.

Our company is certified according to the “OS PV GP ‘UkrNII'” system and holds the necessary accreditations. We strictly adhere to all regulatory acts and standards, ensuring that our work meets the requirements of the railway industry.

We also extend the service life of locomotive running gear by issuing technical decisions and making the necessary entries in the documentation, allowing our clients to have confidence in the operational reliability and safety of their equipment.

– Could you share your experience with repairing various transport diesel engines? What engines do you service, and how do you ensure quality in this area?

• Diesel engine repair is one of our specialized areas. We work with a wide range of engines used in both locomotives and river vessels. Specifically, we service the following engine brands:
  • CH10.5/13 and M12/14, manufactured by “Yuzhdizelmash” in Tokmak.
  • D6 and D12 (also known as CH15/18), manufactured by “Barnaultransmash.”
  • CH18/22 “Khabarovets,” manufactured by “Daldiesel.”
  • 211D-3 (marked 6ChN21/21), manufactured by the Mamin plant.
  • D49 (marked ChN26/26), manufactured by Kolomna Diesel Locomotive Plant.
  • D50 (marked 6ChN31.8/33), manufactured by Penza Diesel Plant.
  • K6S310DR, used in the ChME3 series locomotives.

Our specialists have extensive experience and deep knowledge of these engines. Quality is ensured through a comprehensive repair approach. We conduct a full defect analysis, thoroughly examining each component’s condition. Worn parts are replaced with original or manufacturer-recommended alternatives. We maintain a stock of spare parts for urgent repairs and use special tools tailored to each engine model.

After completing the repairs, every engine undergoes testing on specialized stands, where we check its technical performance, reliability under load, and compliance with safety standards. We provide warranties on our work, demonstrating our confidence in the quality and durability of the repaired engines.

– What are the main principles of your work, and how do you interact with clients?

• The core principles of our company are quality, responsibility, and a personalized approach. We believe each client is unique and requires tailored solutions that consider the specifics of their business and equipment.

Client interaction is built on openness and trust. We thoroughly discuss all details of upcoming work, agreeing on deadlines and conditions. Our managers are always ready to provide consultations and answer any questions.

We also follow a flexible pricing system, striving to offer optimal cooperation terms. Our goal is to build long-term partnerships based on mutually beneficial collaboration and a shared desire for development.

– What are the future plans for “GROUP DIESEL”? Do you intend to expand your service range or geographic reach?

• The key focus is lift repair of the TGM series locomotives at our production base. We have already purchased and use a jack installation consisting of four jacks. We repair locomotive bogies, replacing solid-rolled wheels, and repairing gearboxes and axle assemblies.

We constantly strive for development and improvement. Our plans include expanding our service range, introducing new technologies, and enhancing staff qualifications. We place special emphasis on digitizing processes and using modern diagnostic and repair methods.

We are also considering expanding our geographical reach to provide quality services to clients in different regions. We are open to international partnerships and ready for new challenges and projects.

Our mission is to be a reliable and competent partner in the repair and maintenance of railway equipment, contributing to the efficiency and safety of railway transport.

– Thank you for the informative conversation, Dmitry. We wish your company continued success and prosperity.

• Thank you for your interest in our work. We are always happy to share our experience and open to cooperation. All the best!

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