The Uzbekiston Temir Yullari JSC and Transmashholding JSC (TMH, the largest Russian manufacturer of railway equipment) signed an agreement for the construction and supply in 2020 of five main-line AC freight electric locomotives of 3ES5K series for the needs of the railways of Uzbekistan.

The electric locomotives will be built at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant (NEWZ) located in the Rostov Region. The customer will receive vehicles of the most modern modification fitted with a traction power control system for each axle.

Currently, there are 2 3ES5K electric locomotives on the railways of Uzbekistan purchased in 2018.

The 3ES5K locomotives have been produced by NEWZ since 2007; more than 1000 of these vehicles have been built in total so far. Electric locomotives of this series are also produced in two-section (2ES5K) and four-section (4ES5K) versions; the plant is experienced in the construction of single-section locomotives (E5K). Locomotives are widely used on the Russian Railways’ network, as well as on the railways of Uzbekistan and Ukraine (in two-section design).

In the modernized 3ES5K electric locomotive, the technical characteristics are increased due to the use of axial control of the traction power of each engine, independent excitation of the motors, a microprocessor control system with extended equipment diagnostics. The use of a traction power control for each axle in conjunction with the friction adaptation system creates a redistribution of loads between the wheel-motor units, which makes it possible to preserve the realizable traction force of the electric locomotive practically at a given level in the conditions of deteriorated friction between the wheel and the rail. At the same time, the consumption of sand for backfilling during slipping (skidding) is decreased, the wear of wheelset tires is minimized, and the use of the design power of the built-in electrical equipment is improved.

The DC traction motors with independent excitation are characterized by a rigid traction characteristic, which contributes to the cessation of skidding to a much greater extent, since in this case the traction force sharply decreases even with a slight slip and the friction is instantly restored.

The design speed of the electric locomotive is 110 km/h.