Türkiye: A four-axle DE 10000 locomotive, built at Türasaş’s Eskişehir plant, is now being readied for shipment to Tanzania. Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, revealed the deal but stopped short of naming the buyer. The locomotive will run on 1,435 mm gauge lines.
Power comes from TLM6V185 diesel engines rated at 950 kW, which Türasaş developed jointly with the technology institute TÜBİTAK RUTE. According to the manufacturer, the locomotive can take curves down to an 80 m radius. It tops out at 80 km/h, with an axle load of 17.5 tonnes.
Türasaş is far from the first supplier to set its sights on Tanzania. Back in 2022, CRRC of China delivered four mainline diesel locomotives for the line linking the port of Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. Korea’s Hyundai Rotem is currently working through a contract for 17 electric locomotives covering the route between Dar es Salaam and the Tanzanian capital, Dodoma. Malaysia’s SMH Rail, for its part, has localised diesel locomotive production within the country.
Four-axle shunting locomotive, DE 10000, from Türasas. Source: Türasas
Africa’s locomotive market has pulled in more and more foreign players of late. The suppliers range from established global names — CRRC, Siemens Mobility, Wabtec — to newer entrants. India’s BLW, part of national operator Indian Railways, recently wrapped up a delivery of 10 diesel locomotives to Mozambique.
