LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways on Friday successfully completed trial-operation of the first-ever longest goods train in the history of the country, paving the way for launch of a regular goods train operation in near future.

According to a PR spokesman in Lahore, the train carrying coal in 50 high-capacity wagons started journey from Karachi and reached the Kotri station with a speed of 38km per hour.

Having 3,000 tonnes of load, the goods train was pulled by the most powerful giant diesel engine—GEU-40. “Had this load been sent by road, it would have required 94 22-whealer trucks.”

The spokesman said the regular operation of such trains in future would not only help reduce traffic burden on highways but also contribute to reducing vehicular emissions.

“The core objective of this trial operation was to check whether our existing track is fit for such a huge load,” the spokesman told Dawn. He said the train consisting of 50 wagons reached Kotri where its load/coal was shifted to various small goods’ trains for onward dispatch to the Sahiwal coal-fired power plant,” he said.

He said since it was a trial operation up to Kotri, the regular operation of long goods’ trains would be launched after carrying out a study of the main line.

“For a regular operation of such trains, we need a timetable, adequate staff, goods/ load etc for which we will require sometime to arrange,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2024