OREANDA-NEWS. On July 24, 2008 First Russian 2ES4K Donchak main line DC electric freight locomotive No. 001, developed by the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant, has rolled off the assembly lines and left for the Belovo locomotive depot of the West Siberian Railway, reported the press-centre of Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant.

The Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant manufactured the first 2ES4K prototype in 2006. In June 2008 the plant received a certificate of conformity for a pilot batch of 30 2ES4K locomotives. The Novocherkassk Plant expects to manufacture 14 2ES4K electric locomotives, each consisting of two units, in 2008.

The 2ES4K Donchak locomotive is standardised with the 2ES5K Ermak main line AC electric locomotive, also produced by the Novocherkassk Plant, to a great extent. The 2ES4K locomotive features the new PSN235 U2 special static converter, developed by the Transconverter Limited Liability Company, a joint venture between Transmashholding and Siemens Aktiengesellschaft (Siemens AG, Germany).

Production of main line DC electric freight locomotives for national railways has been resumed following a 27-year break. The Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant terminated production of the VL10U previous-generation locomotives in 1981.