Locomotives of the type TEM2 (nicknamed "Tamara") were produced in Bryansk Engineering Works between years 1960 and 1996. These locomotives were produced especially for Soviet Union, but we can meet them also in Cuba and Poland.
First locomotive of the type came to Poland in 1974. Primarily these locomotives were bought for railway sidings, especially for large network of sand and coal lines in Upper Silesia. Altogether 310 "Tamaras" were delivered to Polish industrial sidings. Since 1976 these locomotives were delivered also to state railways PKP - altogether 129 locomotives. PKP has used the class SM48 for these locomotives, but other companies have usually used the original class TEM2.
The article also describes present operation of these locomotives at state railways (companies PKP Cargo and PKP LHS) and at open acces operators and other companies. Under the text of the article you can find links to lists of all locomotives (both state and private companies).