Railways’ new fleet of locomotives a life saver for freight sector
One goods train from Faisalabad and Multan will be run for business community
PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The freight service of Pakistan Railways (PR) will receive a boost with the addition of the ‘heavyweight’ locomotives to its fleet. Equipped with latest technology, these fully computerised locomotives of 4,000 horsepower (HP) each can haul up to 3,400 tonnes of load, use less fuel and are environment-friendly.
This was said by PRs Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer Ghulam Qasim. He said the number of PR freight/goods locomotives would help increase the freight sector’s revenue generation.
He said four years back only seven power-engines were used for freight traffic, adding that several new locomotives had been added to the freight sector. He added it was unprecedented in the history of PR.
Ghulam Qasim said, “Pakistan Railways freight/goods sector earnings have augmented due to the hard work and commitment of the present team.”
Appreciating the efforts and endeavours of the railways minister, he said when Khawaja Saad Rafique took charge of the ministry, only one freight train used to run after two days, but now the freight traffic increased to 13 to14 trains per day.
He said after receiving all new 55 GE (General Electric) 4,000-4,500 horsepower locomotives from United States, the per day average and number of the freight trains would increase.
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He maintained that on the direction of railways minister, new locomotives would be dedicated to oil and coal supply only, adding small businessmen of Faisalabad and Multan would also be accommodated by running one goods train each from these stations.
Qasim said, “Currently, railways is transporting coal, oil, cement, building material, seed, agricultural machinery, heavy machinery and miscellaneous products which has helped achieve revenue targets and set new records in freight earnings.”
The deputy chief engineer said the confidence of freight sector was being restored, adding that PR always had good clients and standing freight orders.
He pointed out five years back, the PR was unable to accommodate its customers due to old locomotives. “Pakistan Railways has been steered out of crises after the introduction of effective and concrete reforms,” he added.
Earlier in April 2017, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique formally inducted and launched the commercial services of modern 4,000-horse power Freight Engines, imported from the United States.
He said that PR purchased a total of 55 locomotives from USA. The remaining will be provided by July this year.
He said the purchase of these state-of-the-art engines was done under the Pakistan's vision 2025, so that the freight share of railways could be enhanced.
Minister wants speedy compensation for victims of train accident
The minister said out of 55 engines, 41 will be used for transportation of coal to the Sahiwal and Jamshoro Coal Power Plants, while the rest will be used for general freight services.
Freight service is the major source of income for railways worldwide and the Pakistan Railways used to earn at least Rs6 billion annually from the operation of eight to 10 freight trains from Karachi to various upcountry destinations daily.
An acute shortage of locomotives in May 2011 had forced the railways administration to suspend all cargo trains from Karachi. Suspension of passenger trains and availability of locomotives resulted in restoration of freight service of four trains daily in December the same year.
However, the freight service witnessed several ups and downs primarily due to locomotive shortage, and the number of freight trains leaving Karachi remained one or two daily.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2017.
The freight service of Pakistan Railways (PR) will receive a boost with the addition of the ‘heavyweight’ locomotives to its fleet. Equipped with latest technology, these fully computerised locomotives of 4,000 horsepower (HP) each can haul up to 3,400 tonnes of load, use less fuel and are environment-friendly.
This was said by PRs Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer Ghulam Qasim. He said the number of PR freight/goods locomotives would help increase the freight sector’s revenue generation.
He said four years back only seven power-engines were used for freight traffic, adding that several new locomotives had been added to the freight sector. He added it was unprecedented in the history of PR.
Ghulam Qasim said, “Pakistan Railways freight/goods sector earnings have augmented due to the hard work and commitment of the present team.”
Appreciating the efforts and endeavours of the railways minister, he said when Khawaja Saad Rafique took charge of the ministry, only one freight train used to run after two days, but now the freight traffic increased to 13 to14 trains per day.
He said after receiving all new 55 GE (General Electric) 4,000-4,500 horsepower locomotives from United States, the per day average and number of the freight trains would increase.
Orange Line Metro Train: Majority of trains to reach city by December
He maintained that on the direction of railways minister, new locomotives would be dedicated to oil and coal supply only, adding small businessmen of Faisalabad and Multan would also be accommodated by running one goods train each from these stations.
Qasim said, “Currently, railways is transporting coal, oil, cement, building material, seed, agricultural machinery, heavy machinery and miscellaneous products which has helped achieve revenue targets and set new records in freight earnings.”
The deputy chief engineer said the confidence of freight sector was being restored, adding that PR always had good clients and standing freight orders.
He pointed out five years back, the PR was unable to accommodate its customers due to old locomotives. “Pakistan Railways has been steered out of crises after the introduction of effective and concrete reforms,” he added.
Earlier in April 2017, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique formally inducted and launched the commercial services of modern 4,000-horse power Freight Engines, imported from the United States.
He said that PR purchased a total of 55 locomotives from USA. The remaining will be provided by July this year.
He said the purchase of these state-of-the-art engines was done under the Pakistan's vision 2025, so that the freight share of railways could be enhanced.
Minister wants speedy compensation for victims of train accident
The minister said out of 55 engines, 41 will be used for transportation of coal to the Sahiwal and Jamshoro Coal Power Plants, while the rest will be used for general freight services.
Freight service is the major source of income for railways worldwide and the Pakistan Railways used to earn at least Rs6 billion annually from the operation of eight to 10 freight trains from Karachi to various upcountry destinations daily.
An acute shortage of locomotives in May 2011 had forced the railways administration to suspend all cargo trains from Karachi. Suspension of passenger trains and availability of locomotives resulted in restoration of freight service of four trains daily in December the same year.
However, the freight service witnessed several ups and downs primarily due to locomotive shortage, and the number of freight trains leaving Karachi remained one or two daily.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2017.