Alstom has launched a validation test campaign for the Prima T8 AZ8A freight locomotives in Azerbaijan on the main freight transit line, which has recently been converted from 3kV DC to 25kV AC.
The Prima T8 AZ8A is based on the KZ8A locomotives currently in service in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Railways’ specific technical requirements and is compliant with GOST standards and specifications.
In 2014, Azerbaijan Railways awarded a contract to EKZ joint venture comprising Alstom (75%) and TMH (25%) to supply a total fleet of 50 electric locomotives including 40 Prima T8 AZ8A freight locomotives and 10 Prima M4 AZ4A passenger locomotives.
EKZ employs 700 people and is working on supplying and maintaining the Prima electric locomotives ordered by Kazakhstan’s national railway company KTZ and export markets, like Azerbaijan.
“This is an important milestone in the project that we are developing together with Azerbaijan Railways (ADY). We are enthusiastic about the launch of the validation, which will ultimately allow our locomotives to enter commercial service in the country. Alstom is very proud of its strategic partnership with ADY, aiming to contribute to the development of railway infrastructure and increase of freight transportation capacity in Azerbaijan,” Guillaume Tritter, Managing Director of Alstom in Western and Central Asia, said.
Prima T8 is one of the most powerful electric locomotives in the world. This model is a 25 tonnes per axle two-section freight locomotive capable of hauling up to 9,000 tonnes and running at speeds of 120 km/h, with installed continuous power of 8.8 Megawatts.
The AZ8A is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -25°C to 50°C. It requires minimum maintenance and provides high reliability levels and low lifecycle costs thanks to its modular design.
Prima range is covering all market segments of locomotives from heavy-haul, freight and passenger operation and shunting or track-work operation. Over the past 20 years, more than 3,200 Prima locomotives, with more than 4,600 sections have been sold worldwide.
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