A consignment of seven modern locomotives reached Karachi from the United States to reinforce Pakistan Railways’ existing fleet.
"Pakistan will receive a total of 55 locomotives in different phases from the US. The remaining 48 are expected to be handed over to the Pakistan Railways by June 2017," official sources in the Ministry of Railways told APP Monday.
An official said the locomotives would be used for transporting imported coal from Karachi’s Port Qasim to Sahiwal Power Plant in Punjab and Jamshoro Power Plant in Sindh.
Of the 55 locomotives, 40 will be used to haul imported coal from Karachi to the Sahiwal and Jamshoro power stations, and 15 for general freight services.
Providing details on the locomotives, the official said the consignment comprised 4,000 horsepower diesel-powered modern locomotives produced by General Electric with a 676mm gauge.
The 137-tonne, six-axle locomotives are designed for a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour and are expected to provide better fuel efficiency and have longer maintenance intervals than Pakistan Railways’ current fleet.
This is the first ever consignment of Evolution Series locomotives to have reached anywhere in South Asia, the official added, saying it is also Pakistan's first such fleet.
According to the contract, the USA-based Corys Electrical company will supply a full-scope simulator for driver's education.