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Last week, Kansas City Southern ordered 30 SD70ACe locomotives from General Motor Corp.'s Electro-Motive Division (EMD). The Class I expects to take delivery of the 4,300-horsepower units in the fourth quarter.

Last year, KCS tested two SD70ACe locomotives for 75 days in revenue service. EMD will return the demonstration units to KCS, which will use the power at no charge until the new locomotives are delivered.

"The primary benefit of the SD70ACe is that it can pull 9.6 percent more 110-ton coal cars than any of the locomotives currently in [our] fleet," KCS officials said in a prepared statement.

Designed to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Tier 2" emission standards, the SD70ACe features a modified EMD 710 diesel engine, advanced self-diagnostics, predictive health capabilities and an ergonomic cab design.

Late last year, EMD obtained an order for an undisclosed number of SD70ACe locomotives from Union Pacific Railroad, which plans to take delivery of 315 environmentally friendly locomotives from EMD and GE Transportation during the first half. In addition, Montana Rail Link ordered 16 SD70ACe units.

Earlier this month, GM reached an agreement to sell EMD to an investor group led by Greenbriar Equity Group L.L.C. and Berkshire Partners L.L.C. The deal is expected to close during the first quarter.