Alstom delivers SNCFs 100th Prima diesel
locomotive

On 24 January 2009, Alstom delivered the 100th Prima
locomotive (BB475000) to SNCF at its Belfort site. The previous
99 locomotives operate on the French rail network, whereas this
100th locomotive is the first in a series of 33 fitted with
safety equipment for the German rail network.



On 28 February 2004, SNCF signed a sales agreement with a
consortium comprising Alstom and Siemens for the supply of 400
locomotives, a contract totalling 1.1 billion. Since the
delivery of the first locomotive in March 2007, the 99 Primas
in service on the French network have covered over seven
million kilometres. The two manufacturers designed a diesel
locomotive with a power output of 1,600 kW and a maximum speed
of 120 kph which is capable of pulling freight trains with
loads of up to 1,400 tonnes. Alstom was responsible for the
mechanical elements of the locomotives - the shell, brakes, cab
and desk (derived from the Prima platform) - and for the
bogies, which were developed at Alstoms Le Creusot site.
Siemens developed the electrical equipment and supplied the
engines.



A long-standing player in the locomotive and rail freight
markets, Alstom has sold over 1,800 Prima locomotives since the
range was launched with the unveiling of the first prototype in
1999. In 2000, Syria, Israel, Sri Lanka and Iran were the first
countries to purchase diesel-electric Primas from Alstom.
Veolia Cargo signed a contract with Alstom for 31 electric
locomotives in October 2005. And Alstom delivered the last of
180 electric Primas to the Chinese Ministry of Transport (MOR)
in December 2008.



In addition to its 100 diesel Primas, the SNCF is already
operating nearly 300 electric Primas: 235 for freight and 65
for passengers in the Ile de France region.


About Alstom Transport

With sustainable transport in mind, Alstom Transport develops
and offers the most complete range of systems, equipment and
services on the rail market. Alstom Transport can manage an
entire transport system, from rolling stock to signalling and
infrastructure, and offers turnkey solutions. In 2007-2008,
Alstom Transport's turnover was 5.5 billion and its
orders increased by 39% over the previous financial year.
Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and has 26,000
employees. The company recruited 4,000 people worldwide in
2007, including 1,500 engineers and executives.


Press contacts:

Laurent Gerbet

Tel.: +33 (0)1 41 66 92 83

laurent.gerbet@transport.alstom.com

Fabien Lamy

Tel.: +33 (0)6 88 42 14 73

fabien.lamy@transport.alstom.com