At first glance, the history of the Chernobyl disaster seems well-documented. Yet, there are some stories with large blank spots. This episode uncovers one of them—the tale of two modified TEM2U locomotives equipped with lead-shielded capsules for their operators. Built in just days after the disaster, their purpose remains a mystery. Were they meant to haul radioactive debris? Or was there another mission?
Nearly 40 years later, their original purpose is still unclear, but today we might come closer to an answer. Their story is a striking example of the extraordinary measures taken in the shadow of the catastrophe.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:28 – A talk at the Ministry of Railways
01:40 – Design of the capsules
04:17 – Controls
05:37 – In the Chernobyl Zone
07:16 – The fate of locomotives
08:21 – In a bigger scale
Dive into a rabbit hole of Chernobyl: https://patreon.com/thechernobylfamily
Buy Fuzik (the Cat) a treat: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chernobylfamily
Our posters: https://www.patreon.com/posts/113145981