Product Features and Details
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Model: Roco's new ST44 is a finely detailed model. Model features Digital Sound Decoder with accurate prototypical sounds, functional headlights and rear marker lights, large can motor with flywheels and NEM coupler sockets. Model also has full cab interior and extensive roof details.
Prototype: In the early 1960s an urgent need appeared in Poland for a heavy freight diesel locomotive. The Polish industry at the time was not able to produce such a locomotive, so a decision was made to import a large number of M62 locomotives from the Soviet Union, which were already imported by Hungarian MÁV. In Poland those machines received ST44 designation. During first revision repairs all locomotives had front lights changes from small ones into standard, Polish large types. The decision is said to be made after Poland had started to import ST43 locomotives from Romania and was probably influenced directly from the Soviet Union. For political reasons USSR simply forced Poland to buy Soviet instead of Romanian locomotives, as it preferred satellite countries not to export their products. The first 4 locomotives, produced by the Voroshilovgrad Locomotive Factory (in today's Lugansk, Ukraine), were delivered to Poland in September 1965. Deliveries continued until the 1988, with 1,191 locomotives delivered in total (1,114 for PKP, 68 for LHS and 9 for industry). One of the locomotives (ST44-1500 – producer’s designation M63) had bogies and traction engines exchanged with newer types what allowed it to achieve higher top speed. The series, with numbers between 2001 and 2068 was imported to run on the LHS broad gauge line. In addition to different gauge this series was equipped with automatic coupling system.
There were several reasons for importing M62 locomotives to Poland and today’s views on this decision are ambiguous. The locomotive was far stronger than even the strongest Polish steam locomotives servicing freight transport in those days, yet it could not pull passenger trains (due to lack of carriage heating devices) and caused huge damage to railway tracks. Another important weakness of the M62 locomotive was a huge fuel consumption. What makes advantage of this machine is a quite simple construction and a fairly reliable diesel-electric transmission. Intensive electrification of Polish railways caused the relatively new ST44 locomotives to be moved into reserve stock. Many machines withdrawn from PKP found their place among industrial and private railways, where they bore producer’s M62 designation.
Huge fuel and oil consumption as well as heavy wear it causes to the tracks has resulted in Polish Railways reducing the use of the class. In 2007 many still remain in service with PKP for freight use, though many are also stored. Some lines (e.g. Gdynia - Hel line) forbid access of ST44 due to the heavy track wear the class causes. The locomotives are still used in large numbers by private railroad companies, as well as on the LHS broad gauge line. Today around 50 units are present in Zamosc Engine Shed and it is decided to keep them for some more time.
In 2005 two ST44 locomotives were completely rebuilt by Bumar-Fablok S.A. and delivered to the LHS line. Changes included new Caterpillar 3516B HD engines and main alternators. Those locomotives were given numbers 3001 and 3002.
