GE to Build Locomotives for Kazakhstan

GE Transportation has signed a deal to build 150 shunter diesel-electric locomotives for Kazakhstan’s railways.

The US-based company will jointly develop the locomotives with Kazakhstan’s Joint Stock Company Locomotiv and Joint Stock Company Kurastyru Zauty.

GE Transportation is expected to integrate its AC traction technology in the shunter, which is a smaller locomotive used in rail yards to build trains and to make short-haul trips.

It is expected to provide lower life-cycle costs and higher availability than older DC technology, according to businesswire.com.

The first five shunter locomotives will be assembled at GE Transportation’s US plant with the rest expected to be manufactured in Kazakhstan.

The locomotives are scheduled for delivery in 2012.