Chinese locomotives to be powered by Rolls-Royce engines

The engines are to be installed in new freight locomotives for South African operator Transnet Freight Rail. The total contract value is in the range of €100m. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within the Land & Sea Division of Rolls-Royce.

"We are proud to be supplying MTU's most powerful locomotive engine for one of the largest transport infrastructure projects in South Africa," said Dr Ulrich Dohle, CEO at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
Breakthrough into market

"Winning this order signals our breakthrough into the market for Chinese freight locomotives, which are being exported in ever larger quantities," Dr Michael Haidinger, CSO at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, added.

The type 20V 4000 R63L engines each have an output of 3,300 kilowatts and, as uprated variants of the Series 4000 R43/R53 engines, are the most powerful MTU locomotive engines. CNR is scheduled to receive the engines between 2015 and 2017.

The first 20 engines will be produced in Friedrichshafen, Germany and delivered directly to CNR. The remaining engines will be delivered to subsidiary MTU South Africa for final assembly, testing and preparation. MTU South Africa is planning additional assembly capacity to carry out this extra activity.