Indian rail engines hugely popular in Africa

New Delhi, Jan 15: In face of stiff global competition, the Indian Railways have exported four 2300 HP metre gauge diesel electric engines -- one to Senegal and three to Mali -- through RITES recently, official sources said today.

A ministry official today said the Varansi-based Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), a production unit of the Railways, had grabbed an export order for four locomotives for these countries. ''In a stiff bidding, DLW grabbed the order and succeeded in executing this order within the stipulated time,'' he pointed out. These locomotives having 12 cylinders V-engine are provided with dual cabs, air-brake system, parking brake and electric AC-DC transmission.

Due to high level of performance and warranty support, the demand for DLW's locomotives has been surging in the world market.

By manufacturing the state-of-the-art locomotives, suitable to the geographical background and climatic conditions of the purchaser countries, DLW has been receiving export order from various countries.

In 2005, DLW had exported three diesel locomotives to Sudan.

This was the first time that a locomotive was sent to Sudan Railway Corporation.

UNI