Rail supplier news from Wabtec and Stadler (Oct. 21)

Wabtec Corp. announced a $405 million agreement to supply Evolutions Series ES44ACi locomotives to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). The new locomotives will upgrade KTZ’s aging fleet and support growing rail demand in the region. The locomotive features a 12-cylinder, 4,500-horsepower Evolution Series engine, which provides a high horsepower and low life-cycle cost, improving performance in heavy-haul operations. It is designed to operate in the demanding extreme weather conditions and mountainous terrain of Kazakhstan. The ES44ACi can operate for longer periods between maintenance overhauls than the aging locomotives in KTZ’s fleet, according to a Wabtec press release.

Stadler has obtained a contract to provide 12 battery-powered locomotives to the Paris metro-rail operator Regie autonome des transports Parisiens (RATP). This is the first order that Stadler has received from RATP. The signed framework agreement includes an option for two further vehicles. RATP will use the locomotives to carry out service, maintenance and repair work on the infrastructure of the Paris Metro network. The RATP locomotives haul heavy work trains to construction sites on the metro rail network, according to a Stadler press release. A dollar value of the contract was not disclosed in the release.