IRAQ: The first of 10 inter-city trainsets that CSR Sifang's Qingdao plant is building for Iraqi Republic Railways was rolled out on February 17, watched by guests including Iraq's ambassador to China.
IRR signed a US$115m contract for the 160 km/h trains with Dongfang Electric Corp on December 15 2012. Each trainset will comprise two diesel powercars and eight steel bodied trailers.
Intended for use on the Baghdad - Basra route, they will have a capacity of 343 passengers in air-conditioned seated and sleeping accommodation, with catering facilities and on-board entertainment.
The trainsets will be equipped with data and fault diagnostic systems, and the design takes into account the high temperatures and wind-blown dust of Iraq's desert environment.
