CHINA’s Ministry of Railways and the China National Machinery Import & Export Co signed a contract on May 12 with representatives of Adtranz and Siemens for electrification of the 950 km Harbin - Dalian trunk line. Installation of the 25 kV 50Hz equipment is due for completion in mid-August 2001, allowing trial operations until the electrification is handed over to Chinese Railways in November.
Total cost of the project is DM350m, which will be financed by a credit from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau. Consortium leader Adtranz will take 55% of the price and Siemens the remainder. The companies believe it is the largest single electrification contract ever awarded.
The package includes the wiring of 2800 km of track, supply of 17 substations and a SCADA management system, and a servicing and management support contract. CR will supply locally manufactured masts and insulators, and its staff will carry out the installation under the direction of the contractors. The equipment will be designed to allow operation at 200 km/h.
