In a landmark move to boost revenue and expand international presence, Indian Railways is set to export 150 high-horsepower locomotives to Guinea, a coastal nation in West Africa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first locomotive for export on June 20 from the Diesel Locomotive Factory located in Marhowrah, Saran district of Bihar. This marks the first commercial export of locomotives by Indian Railways, representing a significant shift from previous locomotive exports, which were typically done under lines of credit or as developmental aid.

In addition to this, PM Modi will also inaugurate a Vande Bharat Express train service between Patliputra in Bihar and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The new export deal with Guinea will significantly contribute to Indian Railways’ earnings and international outreach, reflecting India’s rising capability in railway manufacturing and global competitiveness.

A senior official from the Ministry of Railways highlighted that the Marhowrah factory—established under a public-private partnership (PPP) model—is managed by a joint venture between GE Transportation (a subsidiary of American company Wabtec) and Indian Railways. The factory secured the contract through a global bidding process initiated by the government of Guinea. The locomotives will primarily be used for transporting iron ore from Guinea’s mining regions.

The 4,500-horsepower locomotives are equipped with a range of modern features including windshield heating for defogging, air conditioning, toilets, and insulated roofs. They are designed to haul up to 8,000 tonnes of freight, with two locomotives pulling 100 wagons at the maximum permissible speed, covering nearly 1,200 kilometers within 24 hours. These units also come with a Distributed Power Wireless Control System (DPWCS), enabling wireless control of multiple engines in a single train set.

According to the agreement, Indian Railways will deliver 37 locomotives in FY 2025-26, 82 in FY 2026-27, and 31 in FY 2027-28. The total value of the contract stands at $411 million (approximately ₹3,533 crore), making the cost of each locomotive around $2.74 million or ₹23.55 crore.

With this deal, India’s annual locomotive production, now standing at 1,681 units, has surpassed that of major regions such as the United States, Europe, and Australia. This production surge and the successful export project are expected to substantially enhance Indian Railways' revenue stream.

To accommodate various international requirements, the Marhowrah facility has laid out three types of railway tracks—broad gauge, standard gauge, and Cape gauge. The locomotives are built with AC propulsion, regenerative braking, microprocessor-based control systems, and modular designs. Additional features include compliance with international emission standards, advanced fire detection systems, and ergonomically designed crew cabins fitted with refrigerators, microwaves, and waterless toilets.

This initiative elevates Marhowrah as a global export hub, fostering local employment and bolstering India's technological capabilities. The factory currently provides direct employment to 285 individuals and indirect employment to another 1,215. The project will also support the infrastructure development of Guinea’s largest iron ore mining project and deepen India-Africa economic cooperation.

Apart from Marhowrah, Indian Railways has four major locomotive production units: Diesel Locomotive Works (Varanasi), Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (Chittaranjan), Diesel Modernisation Works (Patiala), and Electric Loco Assembly & Ancillary Unit (Dankuni). Two additional factories—Marhowrah and Madhepura—operate under the PPP model, producing both diesel and electric locomotives.