Indian RITES despatches three locomotives to Sudan Railway
Oct 20, 2005 (TIRUCHIRAPPALLI) — The Indian Central Railway workshop at Golden Rock has despatched three modified ‘Cape Gauge’ locomotives to the Sudan Railway Corporation (SRC), as part of an agreement signed between SRC and the Railway Technical and Economic Services (RITES) India.
According to the Indian news agency Press Trust of India (PTI), under the agreement, 10 modified surplus Metre gauge locomotives will be exported to Sudan.
Four have already been exported, three were despatched today and three would be sent before next month, GRK Raju, Chief Workshop Manager, told reporters.
RITES India entrusted the task of modifying and overhauling the surplus MG locomotives to the Golden Rock workshop.
Modifications included converting bogies from MG (One metre width) to 1.067 metre CG, fixing pure air brakes in place of vacuum brakes,installation of cyclonic air filtration systems, long life nickel cadmium batteries, twin beam headlights, crew friendly cabins, modified hood doors with a safety arrangement to prevent ingress of sand entering the PowerPacks.
A seven member team would also be deputed to Sudan to commission the locomotives. Besides Personnel from SRC are being trained here in operation and maintenance.
The agreement between Indian Railways, through Rites and Ircon, and the Sudan Railways for total revamp of the Sudanese railway system was signed in March 2004.
(PTI/ST)