Russia to get G.E. Evolution Locos!
Posted: 02 Apr 2007, 11:27
ASTANA, Kazakhstan and ERIE, Pa. (May 16, 2006) – General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) officials today joined members of Kazakhstan’s government to announce the building of a new locomotive assembly plant near Astana, Kazakhstan.
When complete, the factory will be able to produce between 100 and 150 GE Evolution Seriesâ„¢ locomotives each year for the CIS region. The locomotives will be used to help Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) move record amounts of goods and materials by rail, driven in large part to strong demand for transit intermodal traffic and petroleum products.
Production of Evolution Series locomotives will begin in 2008. GE and KTZ have a long history of collaboration dating back to 1994. In 2003 and in 2004 KTZ signed contracts with GE for more than 250 of GE’s locomotive modernization kits. A locomotive modernization kit integrates a stateoftheart engine, computer system and cooling system aboard a refurbished locomotive deck.
“We are thrilled to continue building on this great relationship between KTZ and GE,†said John Dineen. “Kazakhstan is quickly becoming recognized as a leader in the region in railroad technology and we look forward to a strong partnership for many years to come.â€
This model of Evolution locomotive will be GE’s first Evolution locomotive assembled in the CIS, and it will be the most environmentally sound diesel locomotive in the CIS region.
When complete, the factory will be able to produce between 100 and 150 GE Evolution Seriesâ„¢ locomotives each year for the CIS region. The locomotives will be used to help Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) move record amounts of goods and materials by rail, driven in large part to strong demand for transit intermodal traffic and petroleum products.
Production of Evolution Series locomotives will begin in 2008. GE and KTZ have a long history of collaboration dating back to 1994. In 2003 and in 2004 KTZ signed contracts with GE for more than 250 of GE’s locomotive modernization kits. A locomotive modernization kit integrates a stateoftheart engine, computer system and cooling system aboard a refurbished locomotive deck.
“We are thrilled to continue building on this great relationship between KTZ and GE,†said John Dineen. “Kazakhstan is quickly becoming recognized as a leader in the region in railroad technology and we look forward to a strong partnership for many years to come.â€
This model of Evolution locomotive will be GE’s first Evolution locomotive assembled in the CIS, and it will be the most environmentally sound diesel locomotive in the CIS region.