The modern diesel locomotives of General Electric with 676 mm gauge, which are supplied fully assembled, official sources in the Ministry of Railways told APP.
They said these locomotives will use for transporting the imported coal from Karachi's Port Qasim to Sahiwal Power Plant in Punjab and Jamshoro Power Plant in Sindh.
In 2015, they said that Pakistan Railways signed an agreement with USA, under which out of the total 55 General Electric diesel locomotives, 40 would be used to haul imported coal from Karachi to the Sahiwal and Jamshoro power stations, and 15 would be used on general freight services.
They said the locomotives are 4000 Horsepower and will be used to deliver coal to the power stations. The remaining 48 locomotives are expected to be handed over to the Pakistan Railways by June 2017.
This is ever first consignment of evolution series locomotives to anywhere South Asia, which Pakistan has received ever first time, they added.
According to the contract, they said USA based Corys Electric Company has to supply a full-scope simulator for driver training.
The locomotives, with each one has 12-cylinder of 563 horse power engine, and would help to cope with the harsh operating conditions in Pakistan the design features additional cooling capacity and an air-conditioned cab suitable for bidirectional operation.
The 137 tonne six-axle locomotives are designed for a maximum speed of 120 km per hour, and are expected to provide better fuel efficiency and longer maintenance intervals than Pakistan Railways' current fleet.