Ukrzaliznytsya orders 4 LTPL electric locomotives

Ukrzaliznytsya will purchase four electric locomotives from Luhanskteplovoz (LTPL) by the end of 2009, Interfax reported this morning. Ukraine’s state-controlled monopoly railway operator has already purchased four locomotives from Luhanskteplovoz this year: three 2EL5 models for Odesa Railways and a 2EL4 model for Donetsk Railways. An Ukrzaliznytsya official quoted by Interfax said the major obstacle in renewing rolling stock at Luhanskteplovoz has been a 50% increase in its prices. Yegor Samusenko: Ukrzaliznytsya was expected to buy seven locomotives from Luhanskteplovoz in 2H09. Even if this new order is concluded, it signals a decrease in planned sales by about UAH 75 mln (12% of 2009E sales). However, we consider that the market has already priced in a reduction in output in 2009.