The American company Progress Rail signed a contract to supply twenty-seven SD70ACS locomotives. These locomotives are intended for the new Hafeet Rail, connecting the UAE and Oman. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

SD70ACS locomotives
Photo: Progress Rail

The SD70ACS locomotive was developed by Electro-Motive Diesel, a subsidiary of Progress Rail, specifically for desert conditions. Progress Rail has significant experience producing locomotives for operations in Africa and the Middle East.

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The SD70ACS features a filtration system that cleans the air used to cool equipment from sand. The locomotives also include a sand-blowing system and special devices for clearing the tracks.

Additionally, the roof’s special design, combined with air conditioning, protects the cabin from overheating. This ensures a comfortable working environment for the locomotive crew in hot conditions.

The SD70ACS has a power output of 3215 kW, allowing speeds of up to 112 km/h. Locomotive operations are controlled using the EM2000 microprocessor system.

The locomotives are also equipped with the ECM train control system, compliant with European ETCS standards. This increases the safety and automation of railway operations across the system.

The Hafeet Rail project is a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail, and the investment company Mubadala. The estimated cost of the railway construction is around three billion dollars.

Hafeet Rail will connect Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, to Sohar Port in Oman, significantly speeding up freight transport. Construction agreements were signed in the spring of 2024, marking the start of this important project.

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