Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

Azerbaijan Railways Closed Joint Stock Company has acquired four new electric direct-current locomotives for use in cargo transportation, the company's spokesman, Nadir Azmammadov told Trend.

He said that recently, Azerbaijan Railways has been taking significant steps to upgrade its locomotive and car fleet.

"In this regard, the company has recently acquired four new electric direct-current locomotives for use in cargo transportation. Two of them have already been brought to Baku. These locomotives are equipped with an electronic speedometer and modern traction motor," the spokesman noted.

Azmammadov also added that in the future, Azerbaijan Railways will increase container traffic throughout the country.

Developing Azerbaijan has been undergoing a process of modernization in the field of transportation. It is now drawing its focus on improving the country’s railway system, the total length of which surpasses 2,932 kilometers.

Next year, Azerbaijan will receive its first freight locomotive from the French Alstom company. The contract stipulating the delivery of 50 freight locomotives to the Azerbaijani Railways Company was signed last year.

Alstom expects to supply Azerbaijan with passenger railcars as well. Azerbaijani Railways says that it needs about 12 to 20 pieces thus far.

Azerbaijan Railways also held talks with Stadler on the purchase of 30 cars that will be delivered to Baku in 2016. These cars are expected to be used for passenger transportation to Turkey via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

With a number of new trains, Azerbaijani Railways will attract even more passengers, making railway one of the most popular modes of transportation in the country.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

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