Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Golden Rock Workshop bags fresh orders for export

— Photo: R. Ashok

Set to move on: The broad gauge locomotive which has been converted into cape gauge for export to Mozambique being stationed at the Golden Rock Railway Workshop in Tiruchi.

TIRUCHI: The Golden Rock Railway Workshop here has bagged a fresh order to convert an “in-service” Broad Gauge (BG) diesel locomotive into cape gauge for export to Mozambique.

The Rail India Technical and Economic Services Limited (RITES), an Union Government Enterprise, has entrusted the workshop with the task of modifying a BG loco into cape gauge following a deal it clinched with the Mozambique Railways.

A 2,600 Horse Power diesel engine would be acquired for this purpose and necessary modifications carried out in the loco to suit the requirements of the Mozambique Railway System.

The engine’s horsepower would be upgraded to 3,100 by changing major components inside the loco including pistons, fuel pumps and cylinders. The locomotive’s under frame would be retained, but the bogie would be new to suit the cape gauge system of the African nation.

The striking feature of the modification work this time will be that the loco pilot’s cabin would be air-conditioned and equipped with hot plates to enable loco pilots to prepare beverages while piloting the engine. The loco would be fitted with micro processor control system with tri-plate panel brake system for easier handling and maintenance, a senior workshop official here told The Hindu.

The workshop had recently converted an “in-service” BG loco into cape gauge for Mozambique.

Over 20 locos had been exported to Mozambique from the workshop over the past three years.

The official said that the workshop has bagged a separate order from the RITES to export two “in-service” Metre Gauge (MG) locos to Benin, another African nation, after carrying out modifications. Improvements would be made to the loco cabin and changes in the braking system. The loco would be given a fresh coat of polyurethane painting, said the official adding that the modified locos would be dispatched before March.

The modification work would be carried out at a cost of over Rs.3 crore. The official said the workshop had exported 120 locomotives to various Third World countries through RITES over the years thereby generating over Rs.100 crore to the Indian railways.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Making an impression with simplicity
St. Joseph’s College, H.H. Rajah’s College bag team titles
Mettur level
Golden Rock Workshop bags fresh orders for export
Stay abreast of nation’s history and culture, says Collector
Plea to engage parents, teachers
Canara Bank to open 50 branches
Thriving business
Plea to upgrade 5 government colleges as unitary varsities
Thrust for childline services
Empower IT contests attract strong student participation
600 students participate in inter-collegiate athletic meet
Refugees photographed
Corporation recommends widening of Vayalur Road
Widespread rainfall in district

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu