Assembly of the locomotives will start in 2016 at the EKZ plant in the Kazakh capital Astana. EKZ is a joint venture of Alstom, Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ), and Transmashholding, Russia.
The 120km/h locomotives are powered by asynchronous traction motors and are able to haul freight trains weighing up to 9000 tonnes. Around 40% of the ADY rail network is currently electrified at 3kV dc, but this is being converted to an AC system.
The contract includes an option for the construction of a depot, maintenance, technical assistance and training. The option will be negotiated during the next six months.
- Alstom has also signed a memorandum of mutual cooperation with Baku metro with a view to designing trains to replace the Soviet-era fleet on the existing network and provide trains for the two new lines under construction. An agreement is expected to finalised within two months.
