Pakistan-assembled locomotive engine inaugurated

Islamabad
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Wednesday inaugurated first locomotive engine assembled at the Pakistan Railways Locomotive Factory, Risalpur, at the Margalla Railway Station, Islamabad. The engine was attached to the Lahore-bound Islamabad Express Train.
“This is the first engine assembled in Pakistan since 2008, and first of the five to be assembled in the first phase at the Locomotive Factory, Risalpur. The remaining four engines will be assembled within two months.
The engine attached to the Islamabad Express Train is of 3,000 Horse Power (HP) Caterpillar Engine with the US-manufactured air compressor system, air brake system and computerised microprocessor control system. The engine can carry the load up to 22,000 tonnes,” the minister told the media. The minister hoped that the engine would be better in terms of quality and fuel consumption than imported engines.
“In the second phase, 18 more engines will be assembled in the factory while 55 engines of 4,000 to 4,500 HP will be purchased through competitive bids for freight trains,” he added.
While highlighting the upcoming plans for rehabilitation of the Pakistan Railways, the minister said that more cargo and parcel trains will be started and it will earn Pakistan Railways an additional income of Rs2 billion.
The minister said that the Railway Carriage Factory is fully functional and factory’s manufactured power vans will be added to the system to improve electricity supply and air-conditioning facilities for passengers. He said that 20 additional airconditioned coaches and 50 economy couches will be introduced into the system to facilitate passengers.
While commenting on reducition in passenger train fares, he said that the reduced fares will be effected from January 18. He said that Pakistan Railways is not closing any passenger train, however, comprehensive strategy has been devised to minimise losses and convert these losses into profit. “This will take approximately six months,” the minster hoped.