Consignment of seven 'modern' US locomotives reaches Karachi

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.

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Comments (20) Closed

KHALID YOUSAFZAI (UK)

Jan 23, 2017 03:51pm

being a nuclear power, do we still need coal? .... we cannot manufacture or maintain the locomotives, what a shame for us

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Muhammad

Jan 23, 2017 03:49pm

Good job

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abdullah

Jan 23, 2017 04:03pm

Well done......use the wisely please and take care of them.....

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Ahmed bin Babar

Jan 23, 2017 04:17pm

Imported coal, what about the coal in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan..?

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Tanweer

Jan 23, 2017 04:39pm

Good work. Positive News is always welcome in this age.

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Khawaja Muhammad Wajih Uddin

Jan 23, 2017 04:56pm

Imported coal? This is ridiculous when we have one of the largest coal deposits. Someone needs to give answers.

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Nomi Goraya

Jan 23, 2017 05:38pm

@Khawaja Muhammad Wajih Uddin Sir COAL deposits in Pakistan are of not good quality. In text books we are even taught that there are lot of COAL reserves in Punjab as well but matter of fact is that BRICK KILLENS (Bhatta) which can live with worst quality of coal buy coal from Baluchistan so you can ask comment the same that why not they use local coal available in Punjab? COAL has different types which are directly related to the heat generation and not all type of coals could be used in all type of POWER PLANTS. Last point to utilize the potential of THAR COAL two power plants are being developed there one by ANGRO and one with some CHINESE investment . We should appreciate the good things as addition of American engine will help to revive PR as previous experience with CHINESE engines was total failure

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layman

Jan 23, 2017 05:40pm

Right decision yes US locomotives are the best in the world.

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Jan 23, 2017 05:50pm

I hope Khuwaja Saad Rafiq and govt. Knows that the US railway track is narrower than the tracks used in Asia. Not sure how these locomotives will adjust unless it was custom made.

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SG indian

Jan 23, 2017 06:09pm

@Khawaja Muhammad Wajih Uddin imported coals means the coals which have low ash content. This type of coal is good for thermal power plant. Indian and Pakistan sub continent don't have low ash coal as coal created here from lagoon. Coal from Australia, New Zealand, Poland has lot of low ash coal. Now, making of locos- that's a different thing. Your gov can answer.

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Zoro

Jan 23, 2017 06:14pm

@Ahmed bin Babar that seems to be the important question to ask. When we have the 6th largest coal deposits in the World why are we importing coal?

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Khan

Jan 23, 2017 06:39pm

@Zoro Good question here... But if we mine our coals for domestically use. Our politicians will be in financial loss. Railway Minister is doing the best job for Pak Railways !!!!

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Ali

Jan 23, 2017 07:58pm

These General Electric locomotives are highly efficient which will help Railway greatly improve service. But instead of hauling coal which old locomotives can also do, use these new locomotives for passenger and freight trains.

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Houlbelat

Jan 23, 2017 09:52pm

Imported from the US 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. But, I thought our local coal, one of the biggest deposits in the world, would be used?

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Houlbelat

Jan 23, 2017 10:02pm

What is a 676 mm gauge railway? It translates to just 2.21 feet and that is even smaller than the hand-trolley rails used in mines!

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Houlbelat

Jan 23, 2017 10:04pm

@layman: But, what is the cost comparison of the engines produced in the US and the rest of the world producers?

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NUMBERSNUMBERS

Jan 24, 2017 12:55am

@AK Had you bothered to read the article, you would have noted that GE locomotives were produced to track gauge (676mm) used in Pakistan!

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Hafeez

Jan 24, 2017 01:25am

Coal deposits in Pakistan have high ash content as mentioned earlier and high sulphur content which makes it unattractive for power generations.

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Alba

Jan 24, 2017 05:54am

General Electric makes the best locomotives in the world. GE acquired Westinghouse where diesel locomotives have been made since 1928. My question is will they haul coal purchased from China ? China has large coal deposits in Manchuria (Dung Bey in Chinese).

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jafar Abbas

Jan 24, 2017 01:35pm

Good job after a long long time. U.S. made old Locomotives are still in use with Pak.Railways and are giving better service with respect to Chinese. The fresh lot from G.E./U.S.A. will make a significant difference to improve Rail Cargo/Passenger Service.

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