GE Supplying Locomotives For Moldovan Railways

GE Transportation will supply 12 Evolution Series locomotives, as well as parts, training and services, to Moldovan Railways.

The company said this is the first locomotive order in Moldova for GE Transportation and marks a significant step as the country seeks to upgrade its existing fleet to haul freight trains, primarily carrying grain and ore, as well as passenger trains.

Designed for the CIS region’s wide temperature and operating conditions, the TE33AC locomotive incorporate a 12-cylinder, 4000 hp Evolution Series engine with EU3A emissions-level compliance. Compared to the legacy Moldovan fleet, the TE33AC can significantly reduce harmful emissions, economize on fuel and oil costs, and increase time between maintenance overhauls, the company said.

“Availability and reliability are vital factors as we seek to modernize our fleet to bring critical goods and resources to market,” said Iurii Topala, CFM director. “With these new GE locomotives, we will get the added benefit of significant fuel savings as we will be able to use a single locomotive to haul trains, in place of two that we use today to carry the same amount of freight.”

The deal is part of the broader Project for the Restructuring and Reorganization of the State Enterprise Moldova Railways and includes funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the European Union.

“We are honored to be selected by Moldovan Railways for this important infrastructure investment,” said Gokhan Bayhan, GE Transportation’s general manager, Russia/CIS, Europe, Middle East and North African market.  “With this order, GE Transportation will have over 1,000 locomotives operating in eight countries in the region, bringing newfound performance and productivity to these vibrant economies.”

The locomotive kits will be produced in the US later in 2019, and then shipped for regional manufacturing, with anticipated final delivery in 2020.