CANTON, Ohio, April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Timken Rail Service Company is supplying Moscow Rail with Timken® SP™ railroad bearings via their commercial agent for suburban passenger trains. Moscow Rail is an operator of 450 commuter trains serving the Russian capital.

"The Russian rail market is an integral part in the global growth of our rail business," said Mikhail Gorokhov, area manager-Russia-Timken. "Timken worked closely with the Moscow Rail officials to define, design and deliver a cost-efficient, low-maintenance, tapered roller bearing package interchangeable with the cylindrical roller bearings currently mounted on the axles of the commuter trains."

The Timken SP bearing is a self-contained, pre-assembled, pre-lubricated metric tapered roller bearing. It reduces maintenance costs resulting in longer bearing life. Each bearing incorporates the Timken® HDL™ seal. The Timken HDL (Hydrodynamic Labyrinth) seal is a close-clearance designed seal that seals in lubricant while keeping out debris. It lowers operating temperature, reduces operating costs and increases bearing life.

"Timken brings to customers, like Moscow Rail, the technical expertise and high-quality products that assists rail lines to run more efficiently," said James R. Callan, global manager-marketing and business planning-rail-Timken. "It's this combination of rail engineering expertise and new technology products and related services that is the foundation of our strategy to grow by bringing greater value to customers."

Besides manufacturing the Timken AP™, SP™, AP-2™, bearings and the HDL™ seal, Timken also supplies related products and services, including premium rail bearing grease and reconditioning services.

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR, www.timken.com) is a leading global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels and a provider of related products and services with operations in 29 countries. The company recorded 2003 sales of $3.8 billion and employed approximately 26,000 at year-end.

Timken is the registered trademark of The Timken Company.

AP, SP, AP-2 and HDL are trademarks of The Timken Company.

CONTACT: Media, Ray De Vries (Europe), (33) 389 21 4417, or Robert Bourquin (U.S.A.), +1-330-471-7106, or Investors, Kevin R. Beck, +1-330-471-7181, all of The Timken Company

SOURCE The Timken Company