The ÃÂKD ÃÂME3 is a six-axle dieselâÂÂelectric locomotive built by ÃÂKD. The class was used primarily for shunting and mainline duties. With over 8,000 produced during a production run of 31 years, it is one of the most produced locomotives in the world. Units have been operated by Russia, Belarus, Ukraine (as class çÃÂÃÂ3, transliteration ChME3) and other ex-Soviet bloc countries, in Czechoslovakia (as class T669.0, T669.1 and T669.5, later as à ½SR 770 and ÃÂD 770 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic), on industrial railways in Poland (S200), in Albania (HSH T669.1), Iraq (DES 3101), Syria (LDE 1500) and in India (DEC 120).
The ÃÂKD ÃÂME3 is classified as a Co-Co or C-C dieselâÂÂelectric locomotive, with all six axles powered. As such, it is particularly suited for pulling heavy, slow freight and cargo trains.