The rack-and-pinion locomotive is a traction unit designed for transportation of transport sets on NZD600/900 ground rack rails on a horizontal plane and on inclinations of up to 30°. It is particularly suitable for transport of very heavy loads with big track gradients.
The rack-and-pinion locomotive consists of an engine section, emergency brake placed below the main cabin, driving unit equipped with either two Poclain (type MSE18) hydraulic motors or one planetary gear box and an auxiliary cabin. There is a diesel engine and a hydraulic drive located in the engine section. The engine is adapted for use in mining conditions; intake and exhaust tracts are flameproof, thereby preventing methane explosions from transferring into unprotected areas.