By April the latest, the first of the four new electric locomotives for Macedonian Railways – Transport, procured from the Chinese company CRZC Ginjou, will arrive. The Ministry of Transport and Communications told “Meta” that the remaining locomotives will gradually arrive in the coming months, and the total investment of the renewal of the fleet of MZ – Transport costs 7 million euros.
The Chinese electric trains will be used for freight transport of the electric line from Tabanovce to Gevgelija. The trains are expected to travel at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour. It is important to note that among the new technical features, future locomotives will have the opportunity to return some of the used electricity when it uses its breaks.
The renewal of the fleet is expected to reduce the consumption of electricity, and at the same time allow for an increased volume of work on the MZ – Transport. The state railway company currently works with locomotives, which are used daily for the maintenance of cargo, but also for travel.
Macedonian Railways – Transport and the Chinese company “CRCZ Ginjou” signed a contract for the purchase of the four locomotives at the beginning of 2017. The investment for the fleet renewal was provided by a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
