The ČKD ČME3 is a six-axle
diesel-electric locomotive built by
ČKD. 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 ЧМЭ3, transliteration ChME3) and other ex-
Soviet bloc countries, in
Czechoslovakia (as class
T669.0, T669.1 and T669.5, later as ŽSR 770 and ČD 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 ČKD ČME3 is classified as a
Co-Co or C-C diesel-electric locomotive, with all six axles powered. As such, it is particularly suited for pulling heavy, slow freight and cargo trains.