Romanian railroads court North American suppliers - World update

Railway Age, Nov, 2001

Last month, officials of the SNCFR, the Romanian state railway system, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency held a joint business briefing in Chicago to discuss business opportunities in the Romanian rail sector.

Romania's 7,000-mile railway system includes 6,700 miles of standard gauge track; the rest is mixed narrow gauge and broad gauge. "Today, Romania is faced with a major renovation and modernization of its railroad network to meet the requirements of the UIC, the Trans-European Transport Network, and internal goals established by our new government," said General Director Vasile Olievschi.

Two major projects, one of which is an upgrade of the main line from the western border to the Black Sea port of Constanta, are estimated to cost $2.7 billion. More than $990 million in loans is available from various U.S. agencies to suppliers to assist with start-up or expansion costs.

Romania is looking to U.S. suppliers in virtually all areas, including rolling stock and parts, motive power, signals and communications, and track components.