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On Friday, Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) announced it signed an agreement with Ferrocarril Mexicano S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex) regarding the purchase of 44 new SD70ACe locomotives — the Mexican railroad’s first new locomotive order since 2006.

The 4,300-horsepower SD70ACe features EMD’s two-stroke 710 engine. The locomotive meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 2 emissions standards, enabling Ferromex to interchange locomotives with railroads in the United States and Canada, according to EMD. Ferromex’s locomotives also will feature radial trucks, distributed power and EMD's Q-cab.

A subsidiary of Caterpillar’s Progress Rail Services, EMD plans to begin delivering the SD70ACe units in April. The contract also includes a 15-year locomotive maintenance agreement.

“These new locomotives will help Ferromex cope with very significant volume increases, which in 2010 were close to 20 percent vs. 2009,” said Ferromex Chief Executive Officer Rogelio Vélez in a prepared statement.

EMD also announced it obtained a contract to supply five new SD70ACe locomotives to Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway (QNS&L), an Iron Ore of Canada subsidiary. Delivery is slated to begin in August.

QNS&L’s locomotives will feature EMD’s winterization package, radial trucks and Q-cabs. The regional previously ordered seven SD70ACe units, which were delivered last year.