Progress Rail has signed three long-term contracts with Egyptian National Railways (ENR) to modernise 100 AA22T locomotives and provide technical services and spare parts support for 141 locomotives over the next 15 years.
The signing occurred on 9 April in Cairo, in the presence of ENR chairman Mohamed Abdel Aziz Amer and Progress Rail executive vice president Jack Zhang.
The contracts aim to extend the service life of the locomotives, manufactured by Henschel under licence from General Motors, by up to 20 years by upgrading control systems and engines. This will result in significant fuel savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Zhang, this project will also strengthen the historic collaboration between the two entities, create job opportunities, and introduce advanced technology from the United States.
The work involves reusing existing structures, such as the frame and body, and integrating modern components to achieve capabilities similar to those of new locomotives but at a lower cost.
In addition to improving the capacity and efficiency of the Egyptian railway system, this work will strengthen the technical skills of local personnel to maintain locomotives efficiently in the future.