Arkhbum signs contract with UWC for delivery of timber transportation cars

Credit: United Wagon Company

United Wagon Company (UWC), Russia’s largest manufacturer of freight cars, has announced that it has signed a contract with Arkhbum to supply 25 flat cars on bogies with a 25 tonne axle load for the transportation of timber. Upon delivery of the 25 cars by the end of the first quarter of 2020, the number of UWC-produced cars in Arkhbum’s fleet will rise to 305 units.

CEO of Arkhbum, Vasily Knyrevich, said: “We are systematically increasing the share of innovative cars in our company’s fleet. The Tikhvin-produced flat cars with an increased loading capacity are more beneficial economically to us when compared with using standard rolling stock. After all, the more freight we can transport in one trip and the more reliable the fleet’s performance is, the more successful we can be in a competitive field.”

Arkhbum is set to receive a batch of 40-feet long model 13-6852-02 flat cars, which have been designed for the transportation of timber products. The UWC-provided model is noted for its increased loading capacity of 74 tonnes and higher loading volume of 122m³.

The unique design of the units mean that they can be loaded without creating a ‘freight cap’ when transporting heavy loads of timber. The cars feature side posts with a uniform cross-section, which reduces ‘idle’ loads and prevents the freight from being damaged during loading and unloading operations.

Additionally, the flat cars are equipped with model 18-9855 bogies which possess a 25 tonne axle load, allowing for significant cost reductions on servicing the rolling stock throughout its life-cycle – the car’s maintenance interval has been increased up to one million kilometres.