Alstom presents first electric freight locomotive for Azerbaijan

Alstom has presented the first Prima T8 AZ8A electric freight locomotive for Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).

The event took place at Alstom’s site in Astana, Kazakhstan, where 40 locomotives are being manufactured by Alstom joint venture EKZ. 

The first AZ8A vehicle forms part of a contract that was awarded to EKZ by ADY in 2014, for a total of 50 locomotives including 10 Prima M4 AZ4A passenger locomotives. 

“We are proud to present the very first freight locomotive produced for Azerbaijan at our plant in Kazakhstan. This locomotive will be part of the development of the transit link between the Caspian and Black Seas, Russia and Iran – an intersection where Azerbaijan, with 3,000km of line, plays a key role,” said Bernard Peille, Alstom Managing Director for the Western and Central Asia Cluster. 

The AZ8A is a Prima T8 heavy freight locomotive based on the KZ8A locomotives currently in service in Kazakhstan and ADY’s specific technical requirements. The vehicle is compliant with GOST standards and specifications. 

With eight axles, Prima T8 is one of the most powerful electric locomotives in the world. This model is a two-section freight locomotive, capable of towing up to 9,000 tonnes at 120km/h with installed continuous power of 8.8 Megawatts. The AZ8A is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -25°C to 50°C.

The vehicle requires minimum maintenance and provides high reliability levels and low lifecycle costs thanks to its modular design. 

EKZ, a joint venture between Alstom and Transmashholding (TMH), is working on supplying and maintaining the Prima electric locomotives ordered by KTZ, Kazakhstan’s national railway company, for 2020. Currently, 48 KZ8A freight locomotives and 20 KZ4AT passenger locomotives are already in commercial operation on Kazakhstan’s rail lines.