Gec-Alsthom/Trains

[dawnstar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

According to this 1996 information on GEC Alsthom bidding on billion
dollar contracts
in the US, there hasnt been much talk about another significant french
company in Burma, this same GEC-Alsthom, reported by a French govt
source (oct 1997)
to have been in the Burma market since 1954 supplying some 150
locomotives (diesel)
of some 300 in Burma. 

Japanese, German and Chinese manufacturers are also supplying locomotivs
to the regime.60 by Krupp, 40 by the japanese companies Kawasaki and
Hitashi, and 16 from the chinese Dalian and Sifan.

Myanmar Railways actually needs some 50 more locomotives but cant pay. 
And the 150 Gec Alsthom locomotives cost them in maintenance per year
some $6m. 

There is currently understudy, at least late last year, by the Myanmar
Railways and  Gec-Alsthom to refurnish 60 locomotives, and to assemble
another 20 there at a  cost of some $100m. But the same french source
says the SPDC Transport minister 
cant get the financing.

In other words, is GEC Alsthom bidding to build trains in your
neighborhood? Be
informed of what they are doing now in Burma.

dawn star


Franco-British GEC Alsthom/Florida
Aug 8 1996


                      The state of Florida is counting on a 300
                      million federal grant to supplement development
                      funding of a high speed railroad which will use
                      France's TGV technology. The total cost of the
                      project is estimated at 5 billion dollars. On
                      August 2 the Florida Overland Express (FOX)
                      consortium, made up of railroad companies
                      including Franco-British GEC Alsthom, reached
                      an agreement on financing with the state of
                      Florida. But, according to the Florida
                      authorities, the high speed railway will not
                      come to fruition without federal government
                      assistance.

© U.S.-CREST The Tocqueville Connection