The two diesel engines were of the six cylinder, four stroke type. They were Soviet-built and based on the MAN engine used in the Soviet E el-5 locomotive. The MAN engine was rated at 1,200 hp (890 kW) at 450 rpm but the Soviet engines were de-rated to 1,050 hp (780 kW) at 400 rpm. The traction motors were similar to those used in the Soviet E el-12 locomotive but the rating of each motor was increased from 190 hp (140 kW) to 207 hp (154 kW).