E5K

The E5K and ES5K (Russian: Э5К, ЭС5К, named "Ermak", Russian: Ермак) are a family of Russian mainline freight AC electric locomotives with a voltage of 25 kV, featuring four-axle units equipped with collector traction motors. Different versions: E5K, 2ES5K, 3ES5K, 4ES5K — are distinguished by the number of units according to the prefix (2, 3, 4 — number of units, E — electric locomotive, S — sectional, 5 — model number (5th series), K — collector traction electric motors). These locomotives are the next evolutionary step in the development of the VL80 family of freight electric locomotives and are positioned as their main replacement. The electric locomotives were developed by the All-Union Scientific and Research, Planning and Design Technological Institute on Electric Locomotives (VElNII) in Novocherkassk and have been produced since 2004 at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant, which is part of the Transmashholding group. They are the most widely produced family of Russian electric locomotives currently in service. One of the variants: the 2ES5K and the 2EL5 locomotives — were produced at the Luhansk Locomotive Plant. As of December 2022, a total of 2,561 ES5K locomotives of various modifications had been produced, and including 18 units of the 2EL5 modification made at the Luhansk plant, the total comes to 2,579. The vast majority of them are operated in Russia, mainly in Siberia and the Far East, with a few 2ES5K locomotives and all 2EL5 units also operating in Ukraine. Additionally, a new line, the ES5S "Ataman" (Russian: Атаман) featuring asynchronous traction motors instead of collector motors, was developed based on the ES5K family, resulting in 4 units of the 2ES5S and 2 units of the 3ES5S locomotives being built.