Sofia Central Station hosted tests of the shunting locomotive MDD4 12 years ago. BDZ tested this model in 2013 for shunting operations. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Sofia Central Station hosted tests of the shunting locomotive MDD4 12 years ago. BDZ tested this model in 2013 for shunting operations

Express Service OOD introduced a locomotive that successfully completed all trials within a month. BDZ recorded the results: 1781 kilometers traveled, 310 engine hours, and only 2585 liters of fuel.

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The model’s energy efficiency surprised experts, because it consumed less than 100 liters per day. The technology proved three times more economical than BDZ’s older machines, requiring no oil costs.

Express Service OOD arranged the tests, as BDZ officials promised modernization and the purchase of five units. However, they misled the company, and the deal fell through despite clear benefits.

Over 12 years, BDZ missed savings of 720,000 liters of fuel with just one locomotive. This equates to roughly $700,000 at the exchange rate on April 03, 2025.

Moreover, deploying MDD4 would have cut carbon emissions by thousands of tons in Sofia. This could have preserved the city’s ecology, but BDZ ignored the opportunity.

The locomotive’s cost at that time would have paid off in 10 years through fuel savings. Express Service OOD demonstrated its effectiveness, yet fleet modernization never started.

Advantages of the Shunting Locomotive MDD4

The trials revealed that modern technology enhances Bulgaria’s railway operations significantly. However, officials’ inaction halted progress, leaving the potential unrealized.

Future with the Shunting Locomotive MDD4

Today, lessons from those tests remain vital for advancing the country’s railway infrastructure. Express Service OOD offers innovations, while BDZ misses chances for savings and ecology.

Express Service OOD

Express Service is the Eastern European leader in offering new shunting locomotives. Bulgaria based company has developed several series of diesel and battery powered shunters that cover most industrial, in-yard or even light train service duties.

Express Service OOD
www.lz1866.com
info@lz1866.com
DZS, Ruse 7011, Bulgaria
Tel. +359 88 7412838

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