Alstom has started a validation test campaign for the Prima T8 AZ8A freight locomotives in Azerbaijan on the main freight transit line, which was recently converted from 3kV DC to 25kV AC.

Guillaume Tritter, managing director of Alstom in Western and Central Asia, said: “This is an important milestone in the project that we are developing together with Azerbaijan Railways (ADY).

“The validation will ultimately allow our locomotives to enter commercial service in the country. Alstom is very proud of its strategic partnership with ADY, aiming to contribute to the development of railway infrastructure and increase of freight transportation capacity in Azerbaijan.”

In 2014, ADY awarded a contract to EKZ, Alstom’s joint venture with Transmashholding (TMH), for a total 50 electric locomotives, including 40 Prima T8 AZ8A heavy freight locomotives and 10 Prima M4 AZ4A passenger locomotives.

“The Prima T8 AZ8A is based on the KZ8A locomotives currently in service in Kazakhstan and is one of the most powerful electric locomotives in the world. It is a 25-tonne per axle two-section freight locomotive that can tow up to 9,000 tonnes and run at 120kph.

Over the past 20 years, more than 3,200 Prima locomotives have been sold world-wide. Alstom is present in Western and Central Asia with more than 850 people, three country offices, four depots, repair centres and two plants: EKZ in Nur-Sultan for electric locomotive manufacturing and maintenance and the production of on-board transformers; and KEP in Almaty to produce ‘point machines’.