Promising Russian shunting diesel locomotive - TEM23

The problem of a modern shunting diesel locomotive on Russian railways has long been very acute. The widespread use of ChME3, which Brezhnev still remembers, does not look funny, but rather sad. Therefore, a cardinal solution to this issue has become a matter of honor for the designers of railway transport.


The development of a fundamentally new design began several years ago at the Bryansk plant. At the end of 2019, a new vision of the exterior of the shunting diesel locomotive of the future was presented. These works were carried out jointly with 2050.LAB. The success of the new development was confirmed by the award received in 2020 for the design concept.


The excellent start of this project paved the way for its full-scale implementation. The issue was approached thoroughly, developing all structural elements from scratch. To do this, experts in various industries were involved in order to jointly create a new Russian shunting diesel locomotive.

New shunter, type 23

The shunting diesel locomotive received a modern modular design and two diesel engines as the power unit of the locomotive. Its purpose is shunting and shunting-export work within the boundaries of the station and on access roads. The gauge for which the wheelsets are designed is standard - 1520 mm. The experimental design received the TEM23 index. Abbreviations mean:

✅ locomotive
✅ electrical transmission
✅ for shunting work
✅ type 23

The customer for the design of the new diesel locomotive was TransMashHolding (TMH), the country's largest manufacturer of railway rolling stock and intracity rail transport. Manufacturers approached the process as creatively as possible. Talented designers from DNK Russia were attracted to create an unusual exterior for the locomotive. It was the principles of this company that gave the locomotive an unusual and advanced appearance.

At the same time, we thought over the ergonomics of the entire workflow of the shunting locomotive. The designers arranged access to the driver's cab and the work process in such a way that they can save the crew from potential traumatic situations. And the work itself on such a modern vehicle should bring aesthetic pleasure. Moreover, it even provides for the installation of an automatic control and management system for the movement of a diesel locomotive (“driver”). TEM23 has a number of important advantages:

✅ modular locomotive design
✅ high environmental safety
✅ good engine efficiency
✅ asynchronous type traction drive
✅ locomotive remote control system
✅ modern system "driver"
✅ the most comfortable working conditions for the locomotive crew

Successful further implementation of the Bryansk project will open a new page and establish a new approach in the design of shunting diesel locomotives in our country. Moreover, the applied advanced ideas can be used by foreign colleagues. That is why TMH has shown such a thorough approach to creating a structure that has excellent long-term prospects.

Technical features of shunting TEM23

The technical stuffing of the locomotive at the Bryansk machine building was also approached very thoroughly. Each element was weighed and thought out in great detail. For example, the modular design greatly facilitates repair and other technical work. This should also significantly reduce the downtime of equipment due to their implementation.


Inside the driver's cab itself, there are two working consoles at once. This improves driving comfort and provides additional technical advantages. At the same time, their ergonomics are preserved due to the maximum optimization of the design of the consoles themselves (the passage between them is sufficient, convenient and safe).

Maximum convenience was also created for servicing the locomotive. The modern hood opening scheme implies side panels shifted upwards. This, in turn, provides very comfortable access to all locomotive systems. Additional security from hooligan penetration to the elements of the crew compartment is provided by side skirts of the lower part of the structure. They also prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the fuel tank.

There is a refrigerator and other equipment available. All this, together with the power unit and cab stuffing, is connected via connectors to the main frame module of the locomotive. Its replacement, in the event of a sudden breakdown (thanks to the integral design), can be done very quickly, avoiding sending it to repair shops.


For a modern diesel locomotive, they tried to find an appropriate power plant. It was twin diesel engines produced by KAMAZ PJSC. The company has been specializing in the design and production of diesel engines for many decades. They have proven themselves under the hoods of many different models of trucks and other vehicles. The diesel engines installed on the locomotive look very beneficial not only from the ecological, but also from the economic point of view.



A positive effect has also been achieved in terms of environmental friendliness. To a lesser degree of environmental pollution, it is worth adding a twofold, compared to serial models of equipment, reduction in the noise level during the movement of the locomotive. This allowed the experts to give the highest ratings to TEM23, mentioning its excellent parameters:

✅ 4-axis design
✅ 8-cylinder diesel engine with a power of 2x309 kW (2x368 kW)
✅ asynchronous TED
✅ total weight - 90 tons
✅ design speed - 100 km / h

The new ATED asynchronous motor should complement the excellent ensemble of the diesel locomotive filling. At the beginning of this year, its tests were completed, which confirmed the quality of the design and the possibility of serial use. The engine was assigned the index "O1".

Final tests at the Kolomna test site

The first two TEM23s were assembled in Bryansk last year. Inspection and test work is planned for this year, which will launch the serial production of new Russian shunting diesel locomotives. An experimental run at the Bryansk-II depot was carried out at the beginning of 2022. It meant a set of 450 rental hours for each of the built TEM23s. The check went well, the diesel locomotives were assigned the letter “O”. But larger tests at the VNIKTI test site in Kolomna started in early summer. According to their results, diesel locomotives can be allowed for regular operation at Russian Railways.


The length of the polygon tracks is about 40 km. Here, a comprehensive check is carried out for the safety of operation, traction, technical and environmental parameters of diesel locomotives. If the preliminary positive assessment is further confirmed, this will give the right to talk about the birth of a new serial Russian shunting diesel locomotive. Documentary evidence will be a certificate of conformity. It is subject to the regulations of the Customs Union and will allow mass production to begin with the further sale of the new TEM23 on the territory of the member countries of the union.