Azerbaijan deploys Chinese locomotives on transit corridors

Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) will deploy seven newly delivered AC50 mainline freight locomotives, manufactured by China's CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd, to support transit operations along international transport corridors, company spokesman Bakhtiyar Hajiyev said.

The heavy-haul diesel locomotives feature high tractive performance, advanced safety automation, dual compressors, and a 2,000-litre compressed air reservoir designed to haul longer, heavier freight trains. Engineered with a 90-day maintenance cycle, the units support multiple-unit operation, allowing a single crew to pilot tandem locomotives to maximize operational efficiency.

The AC50 series complies with International Union of Railways (UIC) Stage IIIA emissions standards, permitting deployment in environmentally regulated zones. ADY is currently in talks to purchase an additional 14 freight locomotives to service growing cross-border rail freight traffic across the region.

N.Tebrizli