Yesterday, Canadian Pacific announced it placed 61 new high-horsepower GE Evolution® Series AC locomotives in service and launched a program aimed at modernizing low- and medium-horsepower yard locomotives.
Currently in transcontinental service on priority series trains, the new locomotives will help increase capacity, enhance service reliability, further a long train strategy and reduce emissions, CP officials said in a prepared statement. The motive power also will contribute to the railroad's goal of improving fuel efficiency 1 percent to 2 percent annually, they said.
CP also expects to take delivery of an additional 30 Evolution Series locomotives in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, the Class I has contracted Progress Rail Services' Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) subsidiary to modernize a portion of its low- and medium-horsepower locomotives. Remanufacturing efforts — which will begin in 2012 and take several years to complete — will help support yard fluidity and yard dwell reduction goals, and reduce fuel consumption and ongoing maintenance costs, CP officials said.
Refreshing the locomotive fleet is a key element in CP's plan to achieve an annual operating ratio in the low 70s in the next three to four years, they said.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
