saudi arabia starting its rail network

[kamran]

So saudi arabia is starting its own railway through out the country .intresting point is that from source its showing they are using AMERICAN locomotives.
source
http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/ne...-south-railway-on-course-to-open-in-july.html

 

[Euphod]

They may be prohibited from using technology from certain nations due to treaties and trade blockages and the like. Thanks for the link!

 

[NSSD70MAC]

I Am fan of bangladeshi Railway

 

[rjhowie]

I would be surprised on any limiting on technology. It is obvious that such is well in hand and that in purchasing US gear it already is going to have an open door. Saudi Arabia for all it's restricted un-democratic nature is an ally of the US and the West. It is good news that they are now dipping their feet in the water so to speak on railway matters and about time too. One thing is certain - there will be no women drivers allowed!

 

[nathanmallard]

American locos eh? Should be buying British. In fact, DB Schenker has a few surplus Class 60's doesn't it...

 

[H222]

Why should they be buying British? 160 wagons, 3 clicks long? Sounds like it'd be more suitable for SD70's than class 60's

Jamie

 

[ATSF854]

Yeeeah, they wouldn't buy british for those kind of conditions. Besides, proper modifications for any other type of environment (I.e) the middle east, they are pretty easy to do on a loco such as the SD70ACe. It has been done before. I'd imagine it's pretty hot there

 

[H222]

On 2 March 2012, BHP Billiton announced an order for 80 EMD SD70ACe/LCi locomotives for use on its Western Australia mining railroads.
SD70ACe/lc is a low clearance, export version of the SD70ACe. In 2004, BHP Billiton of Australia ordered 13 SD70ACe/lc locomotives for use in iron ore traffic, and an extra locomotive for spare parts. The "lc" in the model designation stands for "low clearance" as these locomotives are designed to negotiate the tight clearances under the mine equipment
(Thanks Wikipedia)

(Western Australia is almost all desert, as is Saudi Arabia)

Jamie

 

[grms]

.........It is good news that they are now dipping their feet in the water so to speak on railway matters and about time too.......

Saudi Arabia has had a standard gauge rail network since 1951

 

[nikos1]

Yeah the thread title is pretty misleading, the Saudi railway have been longtime EMD customers as evidenced here
http://www.ttnut.com/saudi-arabia-saudi-railways-organisation-t705.html they still operate a large fleet of EMD SD50L's with the high mounted desert filters. As for buying British...the British don't buy British, only the Chinese and to some extent the Russians can compete when it comes to heavy haul diesel power.

 

[H222]

And Australians of course (technicalities aside )

Jamie

 

[nathanmallard]

Yes we do. Most passenger EMU's and DMU's are British, and the Class 60 is built in Britain, as are Classes 92, 90, 91, 86, 37, 47, 57, 56, 58 etc. Only the Class 66, 59 and 70 are built elsewhere. Oh yeah, we have exported to:
Bulgaria
Romania
Soviet Union
Iran
South Africa
Rhodesia
Zamibia
India
Burma
Australia
Sudan
Egypt
Palestine
Turkey
The list goes on and on...

 

[ATSF854]

I definitely don't see many. That probably signifies that they are not very popular with other countries Saudia arabia isn't looking for DMU or weirdly small passenger stuff. They need locos for hauling freight. A real manly loco fleet :wave:

 

[wilh]

I believe that Saudi Arabia has been a long time EMD customer, buying specialized versions of many of EMD's standard models. I also believe that they, for a long time, used mostly second-hand American rolling stock (such as vintage passenger equipment).

 

[nikos1]

Yes we do. Most passenger EMU's and DMU's are British, and the Class 60 is built in Britain, as are Classes 92, 90, 91, 86, 37, 47, 57, 56, 58 etc. Only the Class 66, 59 and 70 are built elsewhere. Oh yeah, we have exported to:
Bulgaria
Romania
Soviet Union
Iran
South Africa
Rhodesia
Zamibia
India
Burma
Australia
Sudan
Egypt
Palestine
Turkey
The list goes on and on...

Yes and the 66's rule the rails, the 60's are now nonstandard and will be retired sooner or later, seems they are always in and out of storage. Everything else is mainly gone from mainline usage.
Of your list there is hardly any British motive power left in service while in most of them American locomotives rule the rails. Foster Yeoman purchased the Class 59 because none of the British manufacturers could meet the customers availability requirements, EMD could.The Class 47's were absolute nightmares from the standpoint of people like Ed Burkhardt that were used to the reliability of American locomotives. Didnt include the Aussies because most of their locomotives use American prime movers.
Examples:
Iran: Fleet of mainly GE and EMD products.
South Africa: Numerous models of EMD and GE in service
India: Has been building their own locomotives from ALCO and GM Designs for years
Egypt: many models of EMD and GE, including Class 66's.

Infact its hard to think of anywhere where British built diesels still make up the majority of a railroads fleet.