Škoda Group is to modernise and maintain at least 280 electro-diesel locomotives for Egyptian National Railways (ENR).

The project sees Škoda Group expanding into Africa, and consists of two contracts, together worth over one billion euros, for:

• the overhaul of locomotives over a period of nine years
• full-service maintenance up to fifteen years.

Škoda Group believes that these contracts underscore its focus on also providing life cycle full-service and modernisation.

The project will begin with the company modernising two prototype locomotives at its production and service site in Šumperk in the Czech Republic.

It will then modernise, overhaul and maintain the rest of the locomotives in Egypt.

The group will provide training specifically for the prototypes, with Egyptian workers gaining the expertise they need to carry out the work to European industrial standards. Škoda will work with ENS to recruit and retain workers.

Škoda Group will review and renew the components of ENR’s locomotives, overhaul their drives and pneumatic parts, modernise their braking systems and electrical wiring, install new control panels in the driver’s cabs, and check and modify the TCMS train control system. After this, the locomotives will undergo a major design makeover.

Didier Pfleger, Chief Executive Officer of Škoda Group, said, “These contracts mark a historic milestone for Škoda Group. With our strong record of accomplishment in servicing and modernisation, we are uniquely positioned to deliver superior locomotive rehabilitation and overhaul services. Our aim is to use our skills and experience to build lasting relationships and make a long-term contribution to improving the quality of the rail sector in the Middle East and Africa. The success of being awarded with this project is further confirmation of our strategy of expanding into foreign markets. I would like to thank the Egyptian government and Minister of Transport H.E. Kamel al-Wazir for the trust they have placed in us,”

Marek Herbst, Senior Vice President Service at Škoda Group, said, “We are excited to bring enhanced reliability, availability and safety to the Egyptian national railways and passengers. Over the next nine years, we will deliver at least 280 rehabilitated and overhauled locomotives to Egypt with an extended service life of another 15 to 20 years. We will perform up to 15 years of full-service for these locomotives. We are convinced that full-service is the most efficient way for our customers to receive quality care and maintenance for their entire fleet of vehicles,