Rolls-Royce breaks into market for Chinese locomotives exports

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to supply engines for major Chinese locomotive manufacturer CNR Dalian, marking its entry into that country's market for freight locomotives for export.

The British engineer is to deliver 232 of its MTU Series 400 engines to CNR, the most powerful ones in that model series. They will be used in Transnet Freight Rail's new locomotives which the South African operator is in the process of upgrading.

Dr Michael Haidinger, CSO at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, added: "Winning this order signals our breakthrough into the market for Chinese freight locomotives, which are being exported in ever larger quantities."

It is one of the largest infrastructure programs in South Africa's history, Rolls Royce claimed. The total contract value was in the range of €100m.

The power plants are manufactured by Rolls' Power Systems division.