Operail testing single-person operations
Traditionally, freight trains are operated by two people – a driver and an assistant in the locomotive cab. Operail has now become the first rail freight transport company in Estonia to test single-person operations, deploying its C30-M series locomotive, which it built itself.
This type of locomotive has passed its inspection and obtained a single-person operating permit. The Estonian carrier expects to obtain permission for single-person operation for four or five more C30-M locomotives in Q1/2025.
Single-person operation with the new C30-M locomotives will help to increase the efficiency of freight transport services. Until 2024, the new C30-M locomotive series mainly performed shunting tasks and was therefore not certified for single-person operation. (ben)