Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), a North American company, has delivered its first consignment of 25 freight locomotives to Saudi Railway Company which will be used in transporting minerals on the upcoming north-south railway line. With this delivery, the number of EMD locomotives operating in Saudi Arabia has risen to 72 locomotives, said a statement from the EMD. Each locomotive will have 100 wagons. The SD70ACS locomotives boast of key features including a pulse filtration system and movable sand ploughs to operate in extreme desert conditions. It also has 710-T1 fuel-efficient diesel engines and are compatible with European Train Control System. Albert Enste, vice president (International Sales & Service) of EMD, pointed out that Saudi Arabia was a key market for the company in the Middle East region. “EMD is committed to supplying the highest quality products and services to Saudi Railway Company (SAR), and we look forward to a long lasting relationship between our two companies on future opportunities,” he said. Enste said Electro-Motive Diesel will complete the rest of the order by the end of the year. The North-South Railway — sponsored by Public Investment Fund — is integral to phosphate and bauxite mining projects in north of the country that will link up with processing plants and smelters on the Gulf coast. The new railway would transport 15,000 tons of minerals in a single trip, the equivalent of 600 cargo trucks.
