Railways to import 55 locomotives

[Muhammad Omar]

preparations are afoot to import 55 high-powered locomotives from the United States. —White Star/File


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

 

[Hyde]

I am OK with import from United States in a sense that we are not buying from China once again. Last time we had number of complaints with the Chinese locomotives but I would have liked to see the contract being given to British company or logically increased co-operate with Indian companies.

I think even Pakistan should now have enough expertise to make the locomotives as we have the manufacturing unit since long time and are doing the repair work from time to time.

 

[Jayanta]

I am OK with import from United States in a sense that we are not buying from China once again. Last time we had number of complaints with the Chinese locomotives but I would have liked to see the contract being given to British company or logically increased co-operate with Indian companies.

I think even Pakistan should now have enough expertise to make the locomotives as we have the manufacturing unit since long time and are doing the repair work from time to time.

Past two experiences of buying second hand locomotives from China and South Korea have been a disaster for Pakistan. Most of them gave up in their first ever journey....hope this time you guys make the right choice.