American supplier onboard for UAE rail network
Electro-Motive Diesel to supply locomotives
The UAE’s national rail network will be operated with trains supplied by American-based Electro-Motive Diesel.
According to a statement from Etihad rail the company is one of the world’s largest builders of diesel-electric locomotives, and will design, manufacture, deliver, test and commission locomotives for stage 1 of the Etihad Rail network, running from Shah to Ruwais.
Saying that he was “excited” about the development, Eithad CEO Richard Bowker commented that the trains would also be designed to withstand local climatic conditions.
“Etihad Rail seeks to offer faster, safer, more reliable and more environmentally sustainable services compared to alternative transport systems.
“With the expertise of EMD, our locomotives will incorporate the latest emissions compliance technology, enabling the Etihad Rail network to provide many environmental benefits in addition to the positive economic and social impact rail brings as a whole,” he added.
Etihad Rail will develop a 266km route in the Western Region that will carry trains transporting up to 22,000 tonnes of granulated sulphur daily from sources in Shah and Habshan for export abroad at the port of Ruwais. This route marks the first phase of the 1,200km mixed-traffic network that will span across the Emirates – providing a modern, safe, and efficient method of transport for both freight and passengers. The Etihad Rail network will also link the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and Oman via Al Ain in the east.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the vote of confidence placed in EMD by Eithad Rail,” said Glen Lehmann, Chief Marketing Officer, International, for EMD. “The SD70ACS locomotive model is a service proven locomotive having shown its performance in the most challenging operating conditions on earth. We look forward to proving it out again in partnership with Etihad Rail.”
EMD is one of two U.S. original equipment manufacturers of diesel-electric locomotives. Headquartered in LaGrange, Illinois – with additional facilities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico – EMD designs, manufactures and sells diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications, in more than 70 countries. The Company has produced over 72,500 diesel engines, and the largest installed base of diesel-electric locomotives worldwide. EMD also offers aftermarket replacement parts and value-added services for its locomotives. In 2010 EMD was acquired by Progress Rail Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., and a leading supplier of remanufactured locomotive and railcar products and services. Headquartered in Albertville, Alabama, PRS serves its customers through a network of more than 150 locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.
