"Modi Inaugurates the Shipment Ceremony of the First Export Locomotive from Wabtec India Factory"

On June 20, 2025, local time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Marhowra factory of Wabtec in India. He grandly inaugurated the shipment ceremony of the first export locomotive produced by the joint venture of Indian Railways and Wabtec (NYSE: WAB). The relevant person in charge of Wabtec India factory said, "His Excellency the Prime Minister personally launched the delivery of the first export locomotive, which fully demonstrates the firm commitment of the Indian government, the government of Bihar state, and the Indian Railways to promoting the long - term development of the regional social economy."

The Evolution series ES43ACi locomotive delivered by Wabtec's Marhowra factory in India to Guinea this time was ordered in 2024 by Rio Tinto SimFer joint venture company (jointly established by the government of Guinea, Rio Tinto Group, and Chinalco Iron Ore Holding). This locomotive is equipped with a 4500 - horsepower Evolution series diesel engine, designed and manufactured by the original American factory. It has industry - leading fuel efficiency and can operate stably in high - temperature environments. It will serve the Simandou high - quality iron ore project in southeastern Guinea. The TransGuinéen Railway of this project is precisely the largest mining infrastructure project in Africa. According to an Indian Railways spokesman, 37 locomotives will be delivered in the current fiscal year, 82 in the next fiscal year, and the remaining 31 in the third fiscal year. This is by far the largest single - order export of railway equipment produced locally in India.

Wabtec stated that these locomotives have witnessed the success of the public - private partnership model launched since 2015. Through the global collaboration between government agencies and private enterprises, the Marhowra factory has achieved this important milestone. In the future, these locomotives will efficiently transport key mineral resources and strongly promote the economic development of Guinea. The Marhowra factory of Wabtec in India, which started production in 2018, follows global lean manufacturing standards. Its annual production capacity has now reached 170 locomotives, of which 100 are supplied to Indian Railways. The factory has also set an industry example for diversified talent employment in Bihar state and Jharkhand state. Through vocational skills training programs, it has trained more than 600 female entrepreneurs and provided practical employment skills training such as intelligent welding for engineers at local polytechnic institutes.