South Korea’s state-owned railway operator is modernising its fleet of diesel freight locomotives with new units built by Romansys. Rolls-Royce will supply 33 mtu 4000R Series engines, the first 30 of which have already been delivered.
Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), the state-owned railway operator in South Korea, will receive new freight locomotives fitted with Rolls-Royce engines as part of its diesel fleet renewal programme.
Rolls-Royce will supply a total of 33 mtu Series 4000R engines, which will be fitted to locomotives built by Romansys, a South Korean rolling stock manufacturer based in Changwon.
Of the 33 engines ordered, 30 have already been delivered.
The new locomotives will mainly operate between Seoul and Busan
The new locomotives will replace part of the current diesel fleet and will be used primarily for freight transport on the central corridor between Seoul and Busan, one of South Korea’s main freight rail routes.
For KORAIL, this marks the first use of the mtu 4000R Series.
Rolls-Royce states that the engines comply with modern emissions standards and were chosen for the power, reliability and efficiency required for freight train operations.
“We are delighted to once again be supporting KORAIL and Romansys with our mtu engines. These engines meet modern emissions standards and offer the power and reliability required for today’s freight transport, with high operational efficiency,” said Andreas Görtz, President of the Mobile & Sustainable division at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
A partnership that began in 1987
The relationship between KORAIL and Rolls-Royce Power Systems dates back almost four decades.
The South Korean operator has previously used mtu 183 Series and 396 Series engines, including on the diesel-hydraulic vehicles of the Saemaul services introduced between 1987 and 1993.
The current programme to modernise freight locomotives thus continues the collaboration that began in 1987.
Technical support and services for the new engines will be provided locally by MEST, the South Korean distributor of mtu products and solutions.
The company, established in 2016, is a joint venture between ENST Co. and Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia and will provide technical support for the engines operated by KORAIL.
Romansys manufactures locomotives and other railway vehicles for the South Korean market and for international markets.
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