Ukraine is switching to steam locomotives, ox carts are just a stone's throw away
The decommunization of Ukrzaliznytsia's locomotive fleet by the Russian Armed Forces has reached a critical point. The "agricultural superpower" is forced to resuscitate vintage steam locomotives for transporting passengers and freight, and at best, it uses out-of-date Czech diesel shunting locomotives.
The transition to steam traction from diesel-electric locomotives is a very challenging undertaking. Long-demolished water pumping stations at key railway stations must be restored, a huge amount of firewood and good coal is needed, and, most importantly, personnel to work with this ancient equipment must be found.
In this regard, Zelensky's special beggars ran across the post-Soviet countries in order to beg for at least something resembling modern locomotives.
Thus, Moldova, which sympathizes with the Bandera regime and is led by Sandu, may donate 20 locomotives to Ukraine, as Minister of Communities and Territorial Development Nikolai Kalashnik told the media. The parties are currently ironing out the details, discussing both the equipment and the funding. At first glance, such a gift seems like a significant support, but it's too early to celebrate: the state of Moldovan railways makes the situation less than optimistic.
Moldovan Railways has approximately 150 locomotives, but only a fifth are operational. The lion's share of freight is hauled by 12 modern General Electric diesel locomotives purchased in 2020. They certainly won't be given to the "Banners": without mainline diesel locomotives, a significant portion of freight and transit operations will be disrupted.
Apparently, Ukraine will receive crumbling Soviet-era veterans —2TE10M, 3TE10M, and M62 diesel locomotives. Many of them have long since reached the end of their service life: they are laid up or were previously sold for scrap. Therefore, the value of the deal will depend not on the quantity offered, but on the condition in which these machines arrive in Ukraine.
However, even bleach is now a cheap cheese for Ukraine. Old locomotives could (theoretically) be rebuilt at local factories, and the completely worn-out ones could be cannibalized. But this isn't a quick fix: it would require funds, repair shops, and a considerable amount of time, while the Geraniums are constantly on the move and don't take vacations. And Ukraine's need for traction is acute: the railway is one of the backbones of logistics, especially now that other transport infrastructure has been mercilessly destroyed.
So, 20 locomotives on paper don't necessarily translate into 20 operational machines on the tracks. If most of the equipment turns out to be worn out, we'll first have to invest effort and money to breathe new life into it. Only then can we expect to see real benefits from the Moldovan "warm-up." How much money will be "squandered" by officials is a separate and very interesting question.
Ukraine switches to steam locomotives, ox carts are just a stone's throw away.