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21 July 2012
Newspaper «Kuybishevskiy zheleznodorozhnik»

Need for perfection


Railways demonstrated an innovative approach and commitment to modern technologies
The President of OAO RZD, Mr Vladimir Yakunin and the Governor of the Samara Region, Mr Nikolay Merkushkin took part in the official opening ceremony of a reconstructed wagon-washing complex of the passenger depot Samara. Here, for the first time in Russia the two-stage carriage washing technology will be used.
The symbolic START button was the signal for the wagon-washing launch, which was pressed simultaneously by Mr Vladimir Yakunin, Mr Nikolay Merkushkin, the General Director of OAO FPC, Mr Mikhail Akulov and the President of ZAO Wagon-Service, Mr Yoram Ben-Israel producing the long sounding horn.
The grandparents’ methods are now just a thing of the past. Literally within 9 minutes three carriages appeared crystal clean with the help of water and special acid and alkaline solutions.
The President of ZAO Wagon-Service, Mr Yoram Ben-Israel announced: “Investment in modernization and reconstruction of bead-blasting/painting and washing complexes will be done throughout the net of railroads. I am proud to be able to take part in the modernization of Russian infrastructure in my field of activity and would like to thank OAO RZD’s management for understanding my business model and supporting it.”
Notably, the circulation water supply system of the wagon-washing complexes, which uses 70% recycled water, cleanses source, circulation and sewage water from admixtures, hard particles and harmful substances in compliance with all ecological norms.
Reconstruction of the complex has been carried out with the assistance of outside investments amounting to 515 mln. RUB. This is the pilot project of the rail network modernisation programme which includes 15 wagon-washing and 7 bead-blasting/painting complexes.
“FPC’s main objective is to improve passenger service, – said Mikhail Akulov – And our strategic tools to achieve this are investments in new locations and modernization of existing infrastructure”.
Further introduction to scientific achievements continued in the motor-car depot Bezimyanka, where mobile Expo Centre of OAO RZD was placed, represented by trucks, cars and other purpose-built vehicles which can go on rail and off-road track.
For example, based on KamAZ, “letuchka” thanks to the special suspended equipment is transformed to a real rail current repairs complex.
The depot itself was spotless; everything gave an impression of ideal order – not instantaneous, but well-running and habitual. This is the result of two-year work by the staff on the introduction of the lean manufacturing principles on the site.
Participants of the Assembly walked through spacious light pavilions, spoke to the workers, listened to a short report of the depot’s Head, Mr Sergey Romanichev, which concluded that economic effect from using the lean-technology for the rolling stock repairs only in the first half of the year 2012 came to 600 000 RUB.Innovative and advance technologies applied shows that RZD is a serious player in the transportation market.

Vladimir Akshaev

13 July 2012
TV-Channel RZD-TV

An opening ceremony of a state-of-the-art wagon washing complex took place in Samara

An official opening ceremony of a state-of-the-art wagon washing complex that has no analogues in Russia took place in Samara. It can wash 20 trains per day at the temperature down to minus 20ºC. This is the first project realised by Wagon-Service JSC within its investment programme jointly with RZD.
The first washing cycle was launched by pressing the symbolic button. The rated capacity of the washing complex is 300 carriages per day, but the labour of workers at the washing shop will now be much easier. The machine is operated via one control panel, or rather two duplicating each other. One is located in the shop, the other on the second floor in the operator’s room. Six buttons – six washing programmes, that can be chosen based on the character and degree of dirtiness.
Eco-friendliness is one of the major priorities. It must be mentioned that 70% of water used for washing is purified and can be reused. Thus, this wash shop meets the tightest standards and practically does not harm the environment. Among other advantages, the contact of personnel with the harmful to health chemicals is minimised. There is no need for a person’s presence in a shop when the washing process is completely automatic. This is not in prejudice of effectiveness, thanks to the equipment produced by the German company Befrag. Combination of two types of detergents, the multi-stage preliminary carriage body heating and cooling system, coating of protective wax allow not only removal of any dirt, but also preservation of the paint coating. As a result the carriages will look new over many months.

Alexandr Stoletov

2 August 2012
TV-Channel RZD-TV

Special report: A state-of-the-art automatic washing complex has been opened in Samara


Railroads operate all year-round in any weather conditions: heat, rail, snow and slush. It goes without saying that it is more pleasant for a passenger to travel in a beautiful and clean carriage. However, bearing in mind the number of rolling stock operated at the net of RZhD railroads, it is not an easy task to keep it exemplary clean and manual washing is not the best variant, especially in the XXI century. Russian Railways management parlayed on modern technologies – construction of automatic washing facilities. One of them, that has no analogues in Russia, was developed by Wagon-Service and opened in July 2012 in Samara.

For further details refer to Mr Alexandr Stoletov’s special report.


12 July 2012
Newspaper «Gudok»

Brushes have been removed

Cleanliness and safety of rolling stock attract passengers.
Today a new wagon washing complex will be put in operation in Samara.
This is the first wagon washing complex in Russia of this level. The building has been reconstructed; the shop has been fitted with new equipment.
Earlier, carriages were washed with mechanic rollers; thereafter workers perfected them with brushes. Around five to seven washmen worked there depending on the quantity of carriages, but after the washing, carriages looked far from new. “Manual labour is now set aside completely – said Head of the depot Mr Sergey Yamshchikov – Only one operator and a computer fulfil all washing processes here. Modern washing detergents and technologies are applied”.
Carriages are washed automatically: all shop sites can be seen on the operator’s monitor. When a diesel locomotive enters the shop, the water supply switches off automatically in order to avoid water spilling on the locomotive’s air netting. Additionally, the washing complex is equipped with eco-friendly recirculation sewage treatment facilities. After passing through these facilities water is delivered to the washing machine for reuse and waste is disposed of, which saves resources.
A presentable exterior view of rolling stock will attract additional passengers to railroad transport.
Safety of railway transportation is another not less significant matter for passengers.
It is planned that by the end of the year new equipment for bogies shop will be set up in the depot: modern stands for disassembly and assembly, rooms for washing and painting. Mr Sergey Yamshchikov explained that there will be a possibility to repair even bolster-less high velocity bogies of the new types of carriages.“It has large importance as far as technical maintenance of modern rolling stock is concerned. For today new-type carriages are put only in two trains operated by Kuybishevskaya branch of FPC: Samara-Moscow and Samara-Saint-Petersburg, – he explained. – But other carriages also need high-quality maintenance with application of modern technologies”.
The reconstruction will enable increase of the depot repair capacities by over 900 carriages per year, whereas in 2001 the depot repaired 550 carriages.

Anatoliy Semenov

16 July 2012
Gudok Newspaper

New life

Railroads are ready to become regional centres of corporate management.

Starting from the 1st of October railroads, having become regional centres, will have to provide technological and corporate coordination of the activity of the holding’s territorial subdivisions.

At VIII Assembly of the heads of railroads in Samara the President of RZD Mr Vladimir Yakunin noted that the issue of the railroads’ readiness to functioning as regional centres is dominating for the whole system of the new corporate management. Technological coordination will be aimed at operational work coordination, and corporate coordination will ensure strategic unity of the company by means of the uniform policy implementation.
Vladimir Yakunin emphasised that he delegated part of his presidential powers to heads of railroads, the same happened to directories’ central offices in relation to their brunches. Regional centres will be concentrated on development and control of the balanced purpose-oriented activity parameters that will correspond to the holding’s development strategy. In this connection there will be reviewed norms for personal participation of the heads of railroads and their deputies in management processes and business activities. By the example of Oktyabrskaya railroad the company’s Head drew attention to the importance of regional executive commissions at all levels. The railroad’s Head acts as the Chairman of such commission at the level of a railroad. Executive regional groups are headed by Deputy Head of the railroad, and finally there are junction working groups headed by Heads of stations, that, as explained by the Head of railroad Viktor Stepanov, act as integrators of single transportation process.
On the picture (left to right) Head of Kuybishevskaya railroad Mr Shevket Shaydullin, President of Wagon-Service Mr Yoram Ben-Israel, Head of RZD Mr Vladimir Yakunin, General Director of FPC Mr Mikhail Akulov and Governor of the Samara region Mr Nikolay Merkushkin opened a unique wagon washing complex at Samara passenger depot. Our newspaper reported about it in detail in edition dated the 12th of July.
Senior Vice-president of the company Mr Valeriy Reshetnikov drew attention to the fact that ideology of junction groups is built on the principal of the Central traffic management directory’s leadership. And in this respect life itself shows that the Central traffic management directory’s leadership promotes effectiveness of transportation services. New opportunities of the technological coordination already fructified. Oktyabrskaya and Severnaya railroads succeeded in realisation of the project of door-to-door delivery of goods for the company Severstal. The project of continuous welded rails technology at the direction Yaroslavl – Sonkovo – Dno – western border is waiting for its turn to be realised. In order to optimise operation of diesel locomotives and locomotive brigades at the two railroads and reduce their number it is proposed to run locomotives through Sonkovo station without changing connection rods, which will save up to 72 mln RUB per year.
Head of Severnaya railroad Mr Alexey Mironov noted importance of regional and interregional coordination boards’ engagement in the corporate and technological coordination system. Their work resulted in growth of the rate of subsidies granted for compensation of suburban companies’ losses by 12% as compared to the previous year.
Almost all regions within the railroad bounds announced their intentions to make provisions for breakeven result of suburban services upon the outcome of the current year. Mr Alexey Mironov stood for development of standard rules of cooperation between Deputy Heads of railroads and all subdivisions of branches and the railroads themselves. The standard agreement of cooperation between railroads and branches, daughter companies and their subdivisions shall also be revised. Also, development of rules of cooperation between the Central traffic management directory and the concerned directories shall be finalised. In addition to this, it was proposed to develop a uniform technological process for passenger traffic on Sverdlovskoy railroad.
Head of Zapadno-Sibirskaya railroad Mr Alexandr Tselko noted that the coordination boards’ activity helped in finding solution regarding optimisation of car fleets management. Only twelve rolling stock operators work in Kuzbass, all small operators consolidated their fleets into one that amounts to 23 000 carriages. Optimisation of operators at load stations, as well as growth of empty stock rooting percentage will be the next step.
When summarising the assembly Mr Vladimir Yakunin noted that the targets on organisation of effective, stable and safe operation of railroads can be realised only in case when the declared client-centeredness finds an outcome in specific support of the main clients – freight owners and passengers.

Oleg Sergeenko
Samara –Moscow

19 July 2012
Regional newspapers «Volzhskaya magistral», «Vostochno-Sibirskiy put’», «Vpered», «Dalnevostochnaya magistral», «Zabaykalskaya magistral», «Zvezda», «Zheleznodorozhnik Povolzh’ya», «Krasnoyarskiy zheleznodorozhnik», «Kuybishevskiy zheleznodorozhnik», «Moscovskiy zheleznodorozhnik», «Oktyabr’skaya magistral», «Priziv», «Severnaya magistral», «Transsib», «Uralskaya magistral», «Kalininskaya magistral»

The best to be shown

Samara city met the assembly participants with 36ºC heat. But the facilities that were shown to the Heads of railroads were not only hot because of sun, but also, because of heated interest to the demonstrated advanced technologies.
Samara station was the first location visited by the delegates. The scope and quality of services rendered by the station meet all international standards. “A passenger shall feel not only comfortable at a station, but also safe, – noted the Head of Kuybishevskaya railway station, Mr Andrey Komarovskiy. – For this purpose the station is fitted with equipment detecting banned items or substances in baggage, as well as 157 video cameras for online monitoring of the situation”.
After the security system presentation, Managers of the company and Heads of railroads visited the church in honour of Smolensk Icon of the God Mother which was opened on the territory of the stations several years ago.
The guests then passed on to an exposition showing perspectives of intermodal transportation and transport-logistic services in the Samara region. Hosts of the meeting also presented a project for an “Urban electric train” transfer hub based in Samara station and near-by territories.
The assembly participants went by a rail bus from the station to Samara passenger depot to open a wagon washing complex reconstructed by Wagon-Service JSC. The President of RZD OJSC Mr Vladimir Yakunin, the Governer of the Samara region, Mr Nikolay Merkushkin, the General Director of FPC OJSC, Mr. Mihail Akulov and the President of Wagon-Service JSC. Mr Yoram Ben-Israel pressed the symbolic Start button together. As the locomotive horn sounded, a train consisting of three carriages and a diesel locomotive entered the washing complex. In nine minutes, clean carriages went out of the washing complex.
Mr Yoram Ben-Israel spoke about operational principles of the complex. At first warm water and acid-based solutions are applied, then hot water and alkaline-based solutions. The complex is all-season, it can wash carriages at the temperature down to -20ºC. Its rated capacity is at least 20 train sets per day.
The washing complex is the first investment project realised by Wagon-Service JSC in Russia with the support of RZD and FPC. Wagon-Service plans to invest around 4.3 bln RUB in modernisation of passenger, locomotive and motor-coach infrastructure by 2016. “The investment liabilities will be fulfilled to the last kopeck”, – assured Mr Yoram Ben-Israel.
The next location visited by the assembly participants was Bezimyanka motor-car depot, where lean production system was introduced and is actively used. Effectiveness of repair management increased from 46.6% up to 75.9% over two years.
The guests watched latest developments of domestic manufacturers of railway and diagnostic machinery – freight letuchka based on KamAZ, fully equipped with railway current-maintenance equipment and a complex for railway repair works on a combined drive. The latest is built on UAZ Patriot pick-up car and can quickly deliver to an accident site a brigade of 5-7 people off-road, by road or by railroad.
A lubricator carriage also drew interest. Its oiling for rails’ lubrication is enough for 5 000 km. A similar carriage also operates on the Northern railroad and, according to its Head, Mr Vasiliy Biloha, it has proved itself well.
The Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Mr Maxim Sokolov joined the assembly participants on the second day. After the meeting on development of transport in Privolzhskiy federal district the assembly participants visited Railway traffic management centre of Kuybishevskaya railroad. Here new technologies of transportation management process were demonstrated to the guests. Computer workstations for dispatchers working for Locomotive Resources Management Centres and operators working for Infrastructure Management Centres allow not only prompt management of transportation within Chelyabinsk-Pybnoye bounds, but also detecting pre-failure condition of equipment at any road section. Head of Kuybishevskaya Traffic Management Directory, Mr Vladimin Kutumov said that it offers the possibility to coordinate interaction between traffic, locomotive and infrastructure directories.
The assembly finished with opening of a branch of RZD Corporate University. Mr Vladimir Yakunin noted that effectiveness of a company’s performance is determined first of all by human resources. He emphasised that no changes in the field are possible without competent managers. For successful work they have to have special professional knowledge, as well as knowledge in the field of management, finance management, logistics, and marketing.

Author: Dmitriy Popov

16 July 2012
Magazine RZD-Partner

A state-of-the-art wagon washing complex has been opened in Samaraс

A new wagon-washing complex reconstructed by Wagon-Service JSC was put into operation on the 12th of July 2012 in Samara.

НThe first private wagon washing complex fitted with up to date equipment appeared on the territory of Samara passenger depot. It is the first washing complex in Russia where the two-stage technology of passenger carriage washing is applied (with acid and alkaline-based solutions).The complex can work at the temperature down to -20ºC and wash twenty trains per day. The President of RZD OJSC, Mr Vladimir Yakunin, the Governor of the Samara region, Mr Nikolay Merkushkin, the Vice-President of RZD OJSC – General Director of FPC OJSC, Mr Mikhail Akulov, the President of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Yoram Ben-Israel and the Managing Director of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Alexey Shumkov were all present at official ceremony of the washing complex opening.

Nadezhda Vtorushina
Link to article: http://www.rzd-partner.ru/news/2012/07/16/378969.html

18 July 2012
Magazine RZD-Partner
Cleanness – insurance of service

Official opening of the reconstructed wagon-washing complex in Samara passenger depot of FPC OJSC Kuybishevskaya branch took place within the framework of VIII Assembly of Heads of railroads of Russia. It is a unique investment project, realised within the investment program of Wagon-Service JSC.
The President of RZD OJSC, Mr Vladimir Yakunin, the Governor of the Samara region, Mr Nikolay Merkushkin, the Vice-President of RZD OJSC – General Director of FPC OJSC, Mr Mikhail Akulov, the President of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Yoram Ben-Israel and the Managing Director of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Alexey Shumkov were all present at the official ceremony of the washing complex opening on the 12th of July 2012.
President of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Yoram Ben-Israel, President of RZD OJSC, Mr Vladimir Yakunin and Governed of Samara region Mr Nikolay Merkushkin (left to right) at the official ceremony of the washing complex launch
It has been noted in RZD OJSC that launch of this wagon washing complex is a pilot project of the holding’s programme aimed at renovation of 15 wagon washing and 7 painting complexes for servicing the rolling stock operated by Federal passenger company OJSC, a daughter company of RZD. According to Mr Akulov, FPC’s key target is quality enhancement of passenger service. The strategic tools for solution of this task is, in his opinion, investment in new facilities and modernisation of the existing infrastructure.
Private company Wagon-Service, belonging to Yoram Ben-Israel actively participates in this programme of FPC. By 2016 Wagon-Service plans to build, modernise and reconstruct 9 wagon washing and 3 painting complexes and invest 4.3 bln RUB of its own funds in these projects. President of Wagon-Service JSC notes: “The investment obligation within my various companies including the passenger carriages, locomotives and electric trains is around 10 bln RUB and I can assure you that it will be fulfilled to the last kopeck. Investment in modernisation and reconstruction of painting and washing complexes will be done throughout the net of railroads. I am proud to be able to take part in the modernisation of Russian infrastructure in my field of activity and would like to thank the management of RZD OJSC for understanding my business model and supporting it”.
At the present time, apart from rolling stock washing services Wagon-Service performs interior cleaning of carriages and territories of depots, body repairs, preparation to painting and painting of rolling stock as such. The company possesses (in lease and ownership) 8 painting complexes at depots and 5 at plants with productivity of up to 40 carriages per month each. Besides, Wagon-Service renders washing services at wagon-washing complexes and manual washing sites, leased throughout the territory of the Russian Federation.
The wagon-washing complex that was launched on the 12th of July and is located at the territory of Samara passenger depot, is the first and the only complex that was built based on state-and-private partnership mechanism. Based on the investment agreement the washing complex was constructed by Wagon-Service and taken on the company’s books, afterwards it will be passed to FPC books.
For the moment this is the only state of the art washing complex in Russia. FPC, being the customer and the main beneficiary of the project, chose suppliers of the equipment to be installed in the washing complex. One of the key partners in this project became German company Bersch & Fratscher (BEFRAG, European leading company in the field of wagon washing equipment supply, which is on the market for over 50 years).
Innovative equipment produced by German company BEFRAG offers possibilities for significant reduction of pure water consumption by the washing machine
Thanks to the equipment Samara complex became the first wagon-washing complex in Russia where a modern technology of two-stage washing with the use of acid-based solutions on the first stage and alkaline-based solutions on the second stage was introduced, which enables enhancement of effectiveness and quality of rolling stock cleaning of all types of dirt. Besides, this technology preserves paint coating, as alkaline neutralises acid particles that remain on a carriage body after washing.
Special design of brushes that repeats the form of a carriage side wall allows for effective washing of slopes of a carriage without any additional tools application
The complex can wash carriages at the temperature from +40ºC to -20ºC. Daily around 20 train sets can be washed here, passing through the technological loops with the speed of 1.5–3 km/hour.
The length of the washing complex in Samara passenger depot, Kuybishevskaya branch of FPC after reconstruction is 101 meters
One more technological solution that has no analogues among RZD wagon-washing facilities is the high pressure system for roof washing with the help of spinning nozzles that makes it possible to quickly remove practically any dirt without detergents.
In addition, the Bersch & Fratscher washing machine is fitted with a technology of wax coating application to the carriage body after all detergents are rinsed off, this enables effective carriage body drying after washing, as well as enhancement of protective and anticorrosive properties of carriage paint coatings.
According to Mr Alexey Shumkov, an additional point is that the installed in the washing complex recycling water system (70% water recycling) provides possibilities for reduction of pure water consumption, and the water treatment system enables purification of source, circulation and sewage water from admixtures, hard particles and harmful substances in compliance with all ecological norms.
The washed train is ready for trips
Start-up of the wagon-washing complex in Samara laid the foundation of the large-scale cooperation between the Federal Passenger Company and Wagon-Service. Launch of the next joint project is just around the corner – it is planned that in the 2nd quarter of 2013 a new wagon washing complex in Chelyabinsk will be put into operation.

Author: Nadezhda Vtorushina

16 July 2012
Magazine RZD-Partner

Rated capacity of the new wagon washing complex in Samara reconstructed by Wagon-Service is 300 carriages per day

This is the performance at which the company’s management aims, although it is early to speak about 100% utilisation of the complex’s capacities.
The long-term plans of the company include reconstruction and modernisation of 9 wagon washing complexes.
It is planned that all complexes will be all year round, where high quality washing services will be rendered regardless of the season.
According to the Managing Director of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Alexey Shumkov, the company successfully cooperates with RZD OJSC and the holding’s daughter companies in the field of rolling stock exterior view maintenance.
At the present time, the company possesses (in lease and ownership) 8 painting complexes at depots and 5 in plants with productivity of up to 40 carriages per month each. In addition, Wagon-Service renders washing services at wagon washing complexes and manual washing sites, leased throughout the territory of the Russian Federation.
Apart from rolling stock washing services, Wagon-Service performs interior cleaning of carriages and territories of depots, body repairs, preparation to painting and painting of rolling stock as such.

Author: Nadezhda Vtorushina

16 July 2012
Magazine «RZd-Partner»

"Wagon-Service" is determined to invest 4.3 bln RUB in the business development till 2016

Launch of the state of the art wagon-washing complex in Samara that took place on the 12th of July 2012 gives a start to Wagon-Service’s large-scale programme on business development in Russia.
It is planned that by 2016 nine modernised and reconstructed wagon-washing and three painting complexes will be built for the total sum of 4.3 bln RUB.
President of Wagon-Service JSC, Mr Yoram Ben-Israel noted: "The investment obligation within my various companies including the passenger carriages, locomotives and electric trains is around 10 bln RUB and I can assure you that it will be fulfilled to the last kopeck. Investment in modernisation and reconstruction of painting and washing complexes will be done throughout the net of railroads. I am proud to be able to take part in the modernisation of Russian infrastructure in my field of activity and would like to thank the management of RZD OJSC for understanding my business model and supporting it".

Author: Nadezhda Vtorushina
ZAO Wagon Service
 24, build 2, Radio
105005 Moscow		 Ph.: +7 (495) 231-16-80
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