Patna: India’s Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited, a joint venture between Indian Railways and the US-based Wabtec Corporation, is set to expand its operations by exporting locomotives to Africa for the first time. The company’s plant in Marhowrah, Bihar, will manufacture and export Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives, marking its debut in supplying to global customers.
The ES43ACmi, powered by a 4,500-horsepower Evolution Series engine, is designed for high fuel efficiency and is equipped to perform under extreme heat, making it suitable for the demanding conditions in Africa. Production for export is slated to begin in 2025.
This venture is seen as strategically significant, positioning India as a global hub for locomotive manufacturing. It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” and “Make for the World” initiatives, part of the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. The project will also increase the plant’s capacity to produce standard-gauge locomotives for international markets, bolstering the local supplier network and creating jobs, thereby benefiting the Indian economy.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Marhowrah facility has emerged as a key manufacturing site under the successful public-private partnership between Indian Railways and Wabtec. To date, the plant has delivered around 650 locomotives to Indian Railways, with an annual output of 100 units. The collaboration continues to focus on enhancing the plant’s global competitiveness and ensuring it remains a sustainable production hub for exports.
Spanning 70 acres, the Marhowrah plant provides employment for about 600 people and has contributed significantly to the region’s industrial growth. With this new phase of expansion, the facility is set to further cement its role in India’s burgeoning export ambitions.
