China, Estonia, Legislation, Railways, Transport

When the technical supervision officials give a green light to the locomotive in Europe, work will start in the plant to assembly the other 15 locomotives commissioned by Estonians and in the future, they will become the main work tools of EVR Cargo.

"First we will replace 11 maneuvering locomotives of the Czech origin that are depreciated to the limit, with Chinese ones," said EVR Cargo board chairman Ahto Altjõe. "The Chinese locomotive has been tailor-made for our company so that they can work much more effectively than our current American engines, not just in manoeuvring wotk but also pull heavy cargo trains," he added.

Due to the lower axle load of the Chinese locomotives, it can be hoped that the Russian railways administration, that refused to allow American locomotives to its railroads, would open the gates of railway stations of Petchory and Ivangorod to EVR Cargo. Namely the locomotives are powered by a diesel engine made in the Caterpillar British plant and getting recognition in Estonia means a breakthrough for the CNR Corporation since it is the first locomotives deal of the Chinese with an European company.

The first Chinese locomotive arrived in Tallinn in October last year. According to the contract the next 15 locomotives should reach Estonia during this year.