In the last days of 2024, the first locomotive of the C30-M series built by Operail passed the inspection to obtain the permit for single-person operation. This year, Operail has plans for the adaptation of about 4-5 more locomotives for single-person operation.
Operail plans to obtain single-person certification for four or five more C30-M locomotives in the first quarter of 2025. "The certification of all subsequent locomotives will be much quicker because risk assessments and documentation will be done, only the actual rebuilding of the locomotives will take place, followed by an inspection of each locomotive," says Merle Kurvits, CEO of Operail Kurvits.
Until 2024, the new C30-M series of locomotives built by Operail will mainly be used for shunting. As a result, the C30-M was not certified for single-person operation. In August last year, the Consumer Protection and Technical Inspectorate permitted Operail to officially register the C30-M locomotive as a mainline freight locomotive. This means that the entire freight transport process, including shunting and line haulage, can be carried out independently by the C30-M locomotives built in Tapa.
During the certification process, which took almost six months, risk assessments were carried out. Extensive documentation was submitted to the Consumer Protection and Technical Inspectorate for approval of the technical solution. Operail began retrofitting the first locomotive after receiving the green light from the authority.
The locomotive's vigilance control programme, VEPS, was upgraded during the conversion. Two vigilance pedals and an additional vigilance control button were added to the locomotive. The vigilance control system ensures that if the driver experiences a health problem, falls asleep or loses his or her attention, the VEPS system will stop the train.
