Operail will deliver two more locomotives to Finnish railways. Following the registration of the first C30-M(F) locomotive from Operail's Tapa depot in Finland last year, the company has now signed contracts for the deployment of two additional locomotives. The first locomotive, named Ants, has recently arrived in Finland and is currently awaiting registration, while the second locomotive is scheduled to begin its journey in July.
The C30-M locomotive is a modern modular design that surpasses its predecessors in terms of environmental sustainability. It is suitable for both shunting and regular service. The transport of the locomotives across the bay involves a partial dismantling process, during which the bogies are removed and the locomotives are lifted onto a ship. On arrival in Finland, the locomotives are reassembled and prepared for operation. Finnish rail freight companies use these locomotives mainly for shunting.
The new locomotives received their license to operate on Finland's public railways in August 2022 after undergoing extensive test runs and meeting regulatory requirements. However, several modifications are required before the locomotives can be used in Finland. These include adapting the wheelset profile to the 4 mm wider track gauge of the Finnish railway. Modifications are also being made to the refueling and radio systems. The modified version of the C30-M locomotive for Finnish Railways is called the C30-MF. Weighing 135 tonnes and with an axle load of 22.5 tonnes, the six-axle C30-MF is powered by an AC/DC system. It is equipped with a Caterpillar 3512C HD diesel engine that produces 1,550 kW (2,079 hp) and has a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour.
