Nay Pyi Taw October 7
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and entourage, accompanied by the Yangon Region chief minister, the Yangon Command commander, Yangon Mayor U Bo Htay and officials, inspected the functions of factories and workshops of Myanmar Railways, Ministry of Transport and Communications, in Mahlwagon Yard, Mingala Taungnyunt Township, Yangon Region this morning.
At the meeting hall of diesel locomotive factory (Mahlwagon), the Senior General heard a report on background history and functions of the yard, factories and workshops in the yard, operations of freight trains, brief history and functions of diesel locomotive factory (Mahlwagon), Mahlwagon coach workshop, bridge frame workshop (Mahlwagon), mechanical workshop (Mahlwagon), presented by Deputy Minister for T&C U Aung Myaing.
Efficient rail transport system for daily public socioeconomic welfare In response, the Senior General said cargo trains play a pivotal role in the trade flow of the country. Modes of transport include land, water and air transport, and the trains are the most effective way of cargo transport as they are cost effective.
Hence, durability of wagons and perfectness of locomotives is required to enhance the role of freight trains. Cost effective transport directly benefits daily socio-economic life of the public and it is essential for national economic development. Hence, the development of rail transport has become a must.
The country has a lot of experience in rail service as the length of its operations exceeds 100 years. By effectively applying those experiences, MR must produce locomotives, coaches, rails by it, and implement a modern rail transport system.
The country should also be able to assemble electric trains. Preparations should be made to introduce electric trains. Fitness of locomotives and coaches depends on the quality of rails.
Systematic and standard maintenance procedures must be applied in ensuring fitness of the rails. Official supervision is also needed for the methodization of the rails. Trains must run in accordance with their schedules.
The Senior General then inspected the functions of the diesel locomotive factory (Mahlwagon) and looked into the requirements. He gave guidance on the essentiality of carrying out repair and maintenance work category-wise, passenger attractiveness of the trains, research to enhance the fitness of rails, sanitation and maintenance of the aged factories and workshops and tools.
Inspection of RBEs for short trips and city circular runs At the Mahlwagon coach workshop, the Senior General and party observed 30 RBEs donated to MR by West Corporation of Japan and looked into the requirements presented by officials. The Senior General examined the interior layouts and engines of RBEs. He said as the RBEs are projected for Yangon circular railway and short trips, their constant fitness and cleanness must be prioritized and MR must ensure high quality services for passengers.
The Senior General and party viewed the display of steam locomotives MR had used long ago. The Senior General spoke of the need to properly maintain the steam engines to use them again. He then presented honorary cash awards for the employees of factories and workshop in the yard through an official.
The yard transport goods with 9021 wagons during the pre-WWII period and its volume of cargo transport reached the highest level of 4,030,653 tons in 1940-41. It was also the main place in sending and hosting rows of freight wagons. The yard is one of the main places for MR to realize its aim of standing as a reliable passenger and cargo transport service for the nation and people. It has diesel locomotive factory and coach workshops and other factories that are manufacturing frames for bridges and overpasses and providing engine maintenance services. With its fine historical traditions in developing the country’s passenger and cargo transport, the yard is an important facility for MR.
