The Evolution® Series has another installment. Yesterday, GE Transportation introduced the newest addition to its Evolution line of locomotives, Model ES44C4.
The new AC model will serve as a cleaner, faster, safer and more reliable alternative to the aging North American fleet of DC-powered locomotives, GE said. The company is building the new locomotive at its Erie and Grove City, Pa., plants.
Model ES44C4 features sophisticated traction-control technology with GE’s Dynamic Weight Management System to continuously monitor traction at the axles and automatically adapt to maximize heavy train performance on heavy trains, GE said. The locomotive also offers a higher top speed than traditional DC-powered units, reduces fuel usage up to 17 percent and reduces emissions up to 70 percent vs. the older motive power, and is easier to maintain, according to the company.
“This latest Evolution Series locomotive is an industry breakthrough, delivering a modern and efficient AC locomotive that replaces the older, less fuel efficient and less emissions-friendly DC-powered models,” said GE Transportation President and Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo Simonelli in a prepared statement. “It also provides a direct replacement option for the current six-axle, 4,400-horsepower locomotives being delivered today.”
BNSF Railway Co., Model ES44C4’s “launch customer,” recently took delivery of 25 units, GE said. The locomotives are being tested to determine the benefits of GE’s AC alternative model.
GE launched the Evolution Series in 2002; units were placed in revenue service in 2005.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
