The world's most powerful electric locomotive, with a traction ability of a 20,000 metric-ton train, is ready to be put into operation.

Produced in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, by a joint venture between CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotives Works and Germany's Siemens Transportation Systems, it has an engine power of 9,600 KW and can reach 120 km/h.

It will be used for transporting coal along the 620-km stretch between the coal production base of Datong, Shanxi Province, and the east China port of Qinhuangdao.

The joint venture won the 917-million-dollar contract to produce 180 such locomotives for the Chinese Ministry of Railways in 2004.

China's electric train market has grown rapidly and the Zhuzhou plant has rolled out 4,000 electric locomotives in past years.