On May 10, local time, the heavy-duty commissioning ceremony of the new locomotive was held at the New Tang Kerry Iron Mine of the Sierra Leone Railway Operation and Maintenance Project of China Railway First Bureau. President Bio of Sierra Leone, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Sierra Leone Wang Qing, Minister of Mines of Sierra Leone Julius Mattai, President Colin and Vice President Guo Jinhong of Leon Rock Metal Group, Chen Yi, General Manager of Iron Port Company of Leon Rock Metal Group, Luo Hongwei, General Manager of International Business Department of China Railway First Bureau, Tian Weiping, Secretary of the Party Committee and Executive Director of the company, Qiao Peng, Deputy General Manager, Tang Heng, Chief Accountant, and many local people and media representatives gathered at New Tang Creep Iron Mine to witness this historical moment.
In his speech, President Bio of Sierra Leone congratulated the opening of the new locomotive, he said that this is the starting point of Sierra Leone towards a modern and efficient logistics era, China Railway First Bureau brings not only advanced technology and equipment, but also the response and support for the development of the people of Sierra Leone, the new locomotive will open a fast channel for the export of Sierra Leone's mineral resources, adding new impetus to the country's economic growth.
Sierra Leone President Bio personally rang the electric bell for the official commissioning of the new locomotive, and the scene resounded with warm applause. The locomotive started slowly under the operation of the crew, and drove off with a load of ore. The commissioning of this batch of new locomotives not only sets a model for the subsequent development of other railway freight and passenger transportation in the local area, but also plays a positive leading and catalytic role in promoting the development of Sierra Leone's railway industry, heralding the arrival of a new era of railway transportation in Sierra Leone.
It is understood that the locomotive put into operation of the Sierra Leone railway operation and maintenance project is an advanced narrow-gauge AC drive diesel locomotive tailored by China Railway No. 1 Bureau according to the African narrow-gauge railway, which is the first diesel locomotive in the world to adopt the middle corridor layout and independent ventilation technology, this unique design not only optimizes the internal space layout, but also greatly improves the convenience of operation and maintenance. This batch of locomotives adopts advanced AC transmission technology, equipped with domestic medium-speed diesel engines, with a power of 3680 kilowatts, which can realize double-engine 10,000-ton heavy-duty traction; Multi-system integration technology upgrades the safety and reliability of the whole vehicle. From the signing of the contract to the development of the locomotive, and then to the final performance and delivery, it took only more than three months, creating the world's shortest record for the development of diesel locomotives. The new locomotive not only significantly improves the ore transportation efficiency and the overall level of railway transportation of the Sierra Leone railway operation and maintenance project of China Railway First Bureau, but also serves as another example of China's high-end equipment "going global" and helping China-Africa high-quality "Belt and Road" cooperation.
The inauguration ceremony of the new locomotive by President Bio of Sierra Leone reflects the great importance he attaches to the Sierra Leone railway operation and maintenance project of China Railway First Bureau and the high recognition of his contributions, and once again proves that China-Sierra Leone relations can be called a model of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, as well as broad prospects for cooperation. China Railway First Bureau Sierra Leone Railway Operation and Maintenance Project will continue to deepen cooperation with Leone Rock Metal Group in railway operation and maintenance, technical training, environmental protection and other aspects, jointly build a more efficient, green and sustainable transportation system, and contribute to Sierra Leone's economic development and social progress.
More than 200 people, including ministers, parliamentarians, chiefs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and relevant persons in charge of six Chinese-funded enterprises in Sierra Leone, attended the commissioning ceremony.
President Bio of Sierra Leone delivered a speech at the commissioning ceremony of the new locomotive
President Bio of Sierra Leone attended the commissioning ceremony of the new locomotive
Tian Weiping attended the heavy-duty commissioning ceremony of the new locomotive
Heavy-haul trains ready to go
The world's largest narrow-gauge AC drive diesel locomotive was successfully put into operation in Don Kerry, Sierra Leone
Source: China Railway First Bureau Xinyun Company Rail Operation Company