Maiden journey: Cargo train launched

This would enable customers to transport cargo in bulk.

MULTAN:

Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Friday that a pilot project for commercial luggage trains had been launched.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Rafique said a multiple unit (two-engine) train was being run from Karachi to Lahore.

He said the government wanted to modernise railways. He said two ZCU-20 engines with hauling capacity of 2,000 horsepower had been put together to draw 4,000 horsepower. He said the trial train, which left Karachi at 11:45 hours, carried 3,500 tons. He said most Pakistan Railways trains could carry 2,300 tonnes at a time. Rafique said if the trial was successful, it would mark the beginning of a new era in the freight sector. He said customers would be able to transport cargo in bulk. He said Pakistan Railways would reduce expenditures on account of diesel, staff and equipment and ultimately will operational efficiency.

Operations General Manager Javed Anwar told The Express Tribune that he had been tasked with monitoring the trial. He said a team of six officials from the PR headquarters were on board the train coming from Karachi to Lahore,

He said they were providing regular updates about the journey. He said the train would reach Lahore in 40 hours. Anwar said the train could save Rs100 million in expenditures if it was successfuly introduced for customers. He said eight new power generation units had been completed at the Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory in Islamabad and would be inducted in the fleet soon.

He said the ministry would also introduce more air conditioners in trains.

“Travelling by train this summer will be a pleasant experience for our customers,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2015.