Myanmar has launched its first domestically-produced locomotive, putting it into run from the former capital of Yangon to the second largest city of Mandalay in a bid to reduce reliance on import of locomotives in the wake of rising oil prices.

The 1,200-horse power (HP) diesel-engine locomotive, manufactured on self-reliance basis by the state-owned Myanmar Railways (MR), was launched at the Yangon Central Railway Station Thursday afternoon, all state-run newspapers reported Friday.

The Myanmar locomotive was produced through own design after study was made on a locomotive imported from Japan, the reports said.

The Myanmar locomotive is over 3.3 meters high, 2.7 meters wide and 13.2 meters long with 66 tons in weight, the reports said, adding that with 783 kilowatts of diesel engine power, it can run 60 miles (96 kilometers) per hour at the highest speed.

The MR, which previously produced spare parts of machines only, started the production two years ago and it targets to produce six more home-made locomotives and 36 modern passenger coaches in the years ahead, according to the reports, which added that the MR is transporting passengers, commuters and goods through 222 long runs and 185 commuter runs with the use of 295 diesel locomotives.

According to official statistics, the total rail tracks of Myanmar have been stretched to 6,454 kilometers (km) in the fiscal year 2005-06 from 4,470 km in 1988-89, an expansion of 1,984 km or an increase of 1.4 times.

Source: Xinhua