BIHAR (Metro Rail News): Indian Railways has received the 500th Evolution Series locomotive from Wabtec Corporation, which is a significant achievement in the $2.5 billion deal made in 2015. The agreement was established under the ‘Make in India’ initiative by the Government of India, as a Public Private Partnership, to design and distribute 1,000 diesel-electric Evolution Series locomotives that are fuel-efficient and comply with emission standards.
According to Dr. Sujatha Narayan, who is the Senior Vice President and India Region Leader of Wabtec Corporation, this accomplishment marks a significant milestone in Wabtec’s growth as a major supplier in India’s rail industry. It also emphasizes the company’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. She further adds that this achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment of Wabtec’s team in India, as well as the support from the community, government, suppliers, and other Wabtec sites worldwide. All of these efforts have placed the company and its customers in an advantageous position for continued success in the region for years to come.
This 500th locomotive is a dual-cab design and a powerful 4,500-horsepower engine. So far, Wabtec has delivered 438 of these locomotives and 62 single-cab locomotives with a remarkable 6,000-horsepower engine to Indian Railways. These locomotives have cutting-edge digital capabilities and use advanced technology to ensure compliance with UIC1 international emission standards and deliver optimal fuel efficiency. The locomotives’ cabs have been thoughtfully designed to provide ergonomic comfort to the pilots with features such as air conditioning, seats, noise reduction, urinals, digital displays and heated windscreens,
Wabtec’s manufacturing plant is located in Marhowra, Bihar. This state-of-the-art plant commenced operations in 2018 and utilizes cutting-edge global lean manufacturing processes to produce locomotives. With a capacity to deliver 120 locomotives per year, this plant has set a new industry standard. Moreover, the plant takes pride in having a diverse and skilled workforce from Bihar and Jharkhand, setting a positive example for the region.
