The purchase of thirty two LDH 125 locomotives for Mozambique brought with it a series of challenges for the builders. A total of 1,453 of the LDH model would be built, all would be standard gauge apart from one to Russia (1524mm) and the thirty two for Mozambique, which used narrow gauge (1067mm). The wide gauge locomotive had not required significant change to the basic design but to fulfill the Mozambique order the builders considerably reworked the standard design to meet the Mozambique narrow gauge requirements.
Whilst the engine and transmission remained virtually unchanged everything around them, from the bogies, suspension, body, brakes, all required modification or redesign.
The locomotives were completed in 1980 & 1981 and transported by trailers to Constanza, for shipment by a Danish company. Two shipments were required, one with six in the hold and eleven on deck for Maputo, the second, a week later with five in the hold and ten on deck for Nacala.
The storage and transport of the locomotives, especially those that travelled on deck led to a serious degradation of the paintwork which was discovered when the locomotives were unloaded at the ports in Mozambique. One of the vessels had encountered storms for about 75% of its journey time.
The issue of the paint and rust on the locomotives caused a fractious time for all those involved. The locomotives carried in the ships holds were immediately put into service, but it would take three weeks to restore and repaint those damaged in transit.
After being placed in service a test of a train with 30 wagons (850 tons) on a grade reaching 22% over a distance of 5 km saw the locomotive successfully maintain constant minimum speed.
Order number: 420-0001
Builder numbers: 24.140 - 24.171
CFM numbers: L 125 DH-001 - L1 125 DH-032
Completion dates: November 11th 1980 - February 28th 1981
Resources: Caietul IV Uzinele Malaxa - 23 August - Faur: Locomotive Diesel Si Electrice.
Page added October 25th 2024.