It is reported that RZD placed an order for 200 EP20 dual system electric locomotives for inter-city passenger services at the 1520 Strategic Partnership event in Sochi on May 27th.

The 3 kV DC/25 kV AC single unit locomotives will be the first products to emerge as a result of the alliance between Transmash Holding and Alstom Transport. Alstom now holds a 25% stake in TMH and a 50:50 product development company has been created led by Alstom staff.

Mr Philippe Mellier Alstom Transport President confirmed that the EP20 would be a new design that features asynchronous traction motors with IGBT technology and a Bo-Bo-Bo wheel arrangement. The locomotives are being built at TMH Novocherkassk factory with the first expected to be rolled out in spring 2011. Deliveries will continue through to 2020 and RZD expects to deploy them on Moscow Sochi trains during the Olympic Winter Games in 2014.

Mr Mellier hoped that the EP20 order would be the first of many for the Alstom-TMH joint venture. He is optimistic of winning a big freight locomotive order from Kazakhstan KTZ and he sees further opportunities to use Pendolino-derived EMUs in Russia Allegro trainsets are set to take over St Petersburg Helsinki services in December.

Mr Mellier affirmed that “We may bring western know-how to the venture, but TMH's role is absolutely crucial they know the climate and they know the customers. There was huge competition to become its partner, and we are delighted to have won that battle.”

(Sourced from http://www.railwaygazette.com)