ISLAMABAD: The Railways Board has been informed that preparations are afoot to import 55 high-powered locomotives from the United States.

During a meeting of the board held on Thursday after a gap of 10 years, Pakistan Railways (PR) Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Javed Anwar gave a briefing on the department’s organisational structure and operation.

Talking to Dawn after the meeting, he said 55 diesel-electric locomotives of 4,500hp each were part of the 75 locomotives which the PR planned to induct into its fleet.

He said bids had been opened, adding that two of them submitted by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division and General Electric of the United States were being technically evaluated and would be finalised by June.

About the delivery of locomotives, Mr Anwar said the first engine would be delivered 18 months after the placement of the order with the manufacturing company. He said it was expected that the first locomotive would arrive from the US by the end of 2016.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2015

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