China develops more powerful locomotive: state media

BEIJING: A Chinese company has rolled out the first electric locomotive with a hauling capacity of 3,000 passengers, more powerful than ones currently in operation, according to the official media today.

The current-transmission locomotive has a maximum power of 7,200 kilowatts and an operating speed of 160 km per hour, said Suo Jianguo of Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co Ltd of China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation (CSR).

The locomotive has computer-controlled operations, braking, fire extinguishers, power supply and alert systems, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

It is designed to cope with increasing passenger demand on China's high-speed railways.