Exhibit description

Diesel locomotive VME1-043

Foreign diesel locomotives

A new era of electric and diesel traction began in 1956. The 300 units of shunting diesel locomotives TE1-20 built in 1947–1950 were not enough. To gradually replace shunting steam locomotives, it was decided to order shunting diesel locomotives from the Hungarian People's Republic and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.

Soviet deliveries

After testing and partial changes to the project, since 1958 diesel locomotives under the VME1 series began to be delivered to the Soviet Union. The first VME1 diesel locomotives arrived at the Leningrad railway junction for shunting work with passenger trains. Later, these locomotives worked on many roads of the USSR.

Exhibit equipment

The locomotive body is of the bonnet type, the main frame of the body, welded from sheet steel, rested through sliding supports on two two-axle bogies. Traction and braking forces were transmitted through kingpins. Four electric motors had a support-axle suspension.

The locomotive is equipped with a 16-cylinder V-shaped four-stroke non-compressor diesel engine, developing 600 hp. s. The engine output shaft was connected to the shaft of a traction generator with a rated power of 370 kW. The weight of the locomotive in service condition was 73.6 tons. When starting from a standstill, the locomotive developed a traction force of 17,000 kgf. The speed reached 80 km/h.

Making changes

After the delivery of the installation series, the plant made the necessary changes to the design. The diesel locomotives of the second series are equipped with boilers for heating water, fuel and oil, the water supply has been increased to 1,560 kg. The total weight has reached 74.5 tons.

The most significant changes were made starting with diesel locomotive No. 137. A new traction generator and traction electric motors were installed, the diesel power was increased to 640 hp. It became possible to operate diesel locomotives using a multiple unit system, transition platforms were made on the driver's cab side. The last diesel locomotives No. 276–310were manufactured in 1965.

In the museum

The majority of diesel locomotives of the VME1 series were excluded from the inventory in the period 1975–1985. It is most likely that the last VME1 was removed from service in Tallinn in 1993.

The diesel locomotive VME1-043 worked on the October Railway since 1960. It entered the Russian Railway Museum in 1990.

Historical context

The first VME1 diesel locomotives arrived at the Leningrad railway junction for shunting work with passenger trains, since such locomotives were weak for freight trains. Later, these diesel locomotives worked on many roads of the USSR. On the Baltic railway, VME1 diesel locomotives were not only used for shunting work, but also serviced small commuter trains.