Gauge Modification Success for 12 Ton Battery Locomotive

Not long ago, one of our overseas customers received a newly delivered 12-ton battery locomotive. After unpacking and preparing it for service, they noticed something unusual—the track gauge at their mine did not match the locomotive' s wheel arrangement. What could have been a major setback turned into a joint engineering project carried out entirely through online communication.

Our technical team quickly scheduled video calls and exchanged drawings with the client’s on-site engineers. The main challenge was clear: the running gear had to be realigned to fit the track system in use at the mine. To achieve this, new wheelsets were prepared, and the axle length was redesigned to match the wider spacing.

[Brake levers that need to be extended and wheelsets that need to be replaced]

Once the wheel issue was resolved, attention turned to the locomotive frame. The internal spacing and width required modification, while the suspension system and balance arms were extended to maintain stability during heavy-duty operation. 

Step by step, the engineers addressed every connected system—the brake rods were lengthened for even braking, the roof and cover plates were widened, and both electrical wiring and air pipes were adjusted to suit the new layout.

The entire process was carried out without the need to ship the locomotive back to the factory. Instead, all changes were executed on-site under the guidance of our engineers, with the customer’s team handling the practical adjustments.

In the end, the locomotive was successfully adapted and put into service. The project not only solved a technical mismatch but also demonstrated how close cooperation and timely support can prevent costly downtime. For us, it was a reminder that supplying equipment is just the first step—providing reliable solutions is what really builds long-term trust.