The 2TE10M diesel locomotive upgraded with the BORT system

Locomotive 2TE10M 1258 of the Kyrgyz Temir Zholu State National Company has been upgraded with the BORT system.

Given the positive experience of upgrading TE33A-series diesel locomotives, the management of Kyrgyz Temir Zholu decided to carry out the modernization of the two-section mainline diesel locomotive of the mass-produced 2TE10M series.

All organizational matters are being promptly resolved at the Bishkek Locomotive Depot by a results-oriented management team that takes great care of the assigned traction rolling stock, headed by E.Z. Chekirov, head of the locomotive operations branch.

Training of depot specialists prior to the start of work on the installation and operation of BORT.

Training of BORT system service specialists

Conducting briefings and studying the new equipment is the key to its proper operation.

One of the factors influencing this decision was an assessment of the compactness of the BORT system's equipment compared to the bulky equipment of the KLUB-U system (photo), which, frankly speaking, loomed with its mass right over the driver's seat.

First inspection of the 2TE10M 1258 locomotive cab fitted with the KLUB-U system.

The first impression evoked great sympathy for the drivers, above whose heads the heavy equipment loomed.

Cab of 2TE10M 1258 with the KLUB-U system before the BORT system modernization.

Cab of 2TE10M 1258 after the BORT system modernization

Working for results.

During the installation of the BORT system, the team also paid attention to the cab elements as a whole.

And of course all the functional advantages, such as a touchscreen LCD display, an intuitive, convenient interface that does not require memorizing numerous codes, loop-free diagnostics of the ALSN receiving circuit, and so on.

In the second half of November, specialists from Transtelesoft (Russia) and TransEngineeringSystem (Kazakhstan), together with specialists from the Bishkek Locomotive Depot, completed the modernization of the 2TE10M 1258 mainline diesel locomotive, in which the KLUB-U system was replaced with the BORT locomotive safety system.

The work was carried out with great enthusiasm; for example, during the process, an unconventional decision was made to equip Section B with side-view rear cameras. The image from these cameras can be displayed by the driver on the BORT system's OMI monitor in real time to monitor the train from the right and left sides while stationary and in motion, while continuous monitoring of the locomotive's sides near the fuel tank filler necks, combined with the diesel compartment's video surveillance cameras, ensures control over fuel safety.

Side view of the train on the OMI display

BORT system's Safe Computing Module (MBV) and Switching Interface Cabinet (KSh).

According to the drivers, after just the first few trips they had the complete impression of operating a different, more modern locomotive; they also noted that the locomotive seemed to have gotten younger, and appreciated the new, more aesthetically pleasing working conditions on this veteran of mainline haulage.

Cab of 2TE10M 1258 with the KLUB-U system before the BORT system modernization

Cab of 2TE10M 1258 after the BORT system modernization

Cab of another 2TE10M locomotive also planned for future modernization with the BORT system (since April 2024, the ELEKTROMEKHANIKA company has officially announced the discontinuation of spare parts production for mechanical speed recorders and other components of the obsolete ALSN)

Special words of gratitude to the developers of the BORT system, on behalf of all drivers, were expressed by driver-instructor Sergey Fedyanin and Chingiz Suyerkulovich Kadraliyev, deputy head of the locomotive operations branch, for implementing the ability to select and switch between freight and passenger mode on the BORT electronic map, taking into account the difference in speed limits established for each type of traffic.

The fact is that previously, locomotives were loaded with an electronic map containing only one type of freight movement, meaning that passenger trains were unable to achieve higher speeds or quickly make up for delays when needed.

2TE10M en route under the control of the BORT system.

This issue has now been resolved, and drivers have already come to appreciate the new capabilities for hauling trains, while passengers will be glad to see more accurate, on-time train schedules.

The TE10M 1258 diesel locomotive of Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, upgraded with the BORT system, has passed all the necessary inspections and tests on the traction tracks of Bishkek station in accordance with an agreed methodology and has been successfully put into service.

In the course of this work, all necessary editorial revisions were made to the BORT system's design documentation for all TE10-series diesel locomotive variants, and readiness has been achieved for serial modernization based on requests from enterprises carrying out major overhauls of traction rolling stock, as well as locomotive depots planning modernization during scheduled repairs.

Kyrgyz Temir Zholu diesel locomotives equipped with the BORT system