China news Changsha (Journalist:Liu Shuangshuang Reporter: Liu Tiansheng) On 5th October, the passenger electric locomotive made by Chinese enterprise run from the Raab station in capital of Ethiopia Addis Ababa under the witness of top management of Chinese, Ethiopia and other African government. This event signified that Ethiopia entered in the era of electrified railway.
According to journalist, CRRC ZELC signed a contract of supplying 35 electric locomotives (3 of them are for passenger rolling stocks, the rest are for freight) in June, 2014. The first batch of locomotives arrived in Djibouti port in December, 2015.
The railway from Addis Ababa to Djibouti is the first electrified railway which is built completely by Chinese standard and equipment in foreign country. The 751.7km line is invested in $US 400 million. The railway is mainly built in Ethiopia which becomes the artery of the country. 90% of transportation capacity could be satisfied thanks to the main line.
In order to adapt to complicate environment in Africa, the technical expert in CRRC ZELC Kang Mingming said they tailored the rolling stock based on the mature technique of high power electric locomotive. The new-made locomotive can operate in highland, dessert and high temperature areas by absorbing advantages of plateau type rolling stock in China as well as the locomotives exported to South Africa.
The environment is very complicate along the railway from Addis Ababa to Djibouti with high altitude, strong ultraviolet radiation and sandstorm. The highest temperature could reach 50℃ in summer thus the temperature difference of season and day is big. The rolling stocks operate across highland, desserts, high temperature area and then arrive in Djibouti port where is in low altitude area.
The rest 32 sets of 7200KW high power freight locomotive will be put into operation in very soon. It can realize the traction of 3500-4000 tons heavy-duty locomotive which can highly improve the transportation efficiency and promote the trade with other countries.