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Today, General Motors Corp.'s Electro-Motive Division (EMD) announced
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty. Ltd. has ordered 13 SD70ACe locomotives for northwestern Australia mining operations. EMD plans to deliver the units next year.

The 4,300-horsepower SD70ACe features EMD's 710 diesel engine — which is designed to increase fuel efficiency — and an Alternating Current (AC) traction system offering high wheel-rail traction for heavy haul service. The environmentally friendly locomotive meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Tier 2" emission standards.

"These will be the first Electro-Motive AC-traction locomotives going into the Australian Pilbara iron-ore mining region," said EMD Director of International Sales Frank Ward in a prepared statement.

To be built at EMD's London, Ontario, plant, the locomotives were sold and will be serviced by EDI Rail, which represents EMD in Australia, and builds and maintains locomotives featuring EMD technology.