GE Press Release Transportation
GE Ships First New PowerHaul® Series Locomotives to U.K.
Designed to improve fuel economy 9%, reduce GHG emissions and deliver higher-hauling
capacity
Erie, Pa., U.S.A. (Oct. 7, 2009) - GE Transportation announced today the shipment of the first
two of its newest global-class PowerHaul Series freight locomotives to its customer
Freightliner Group Ltd in the United Kingdom. The PowerHaul Series locomotive represents
GE Transportation's first entry to the U.K. and European marketplace.
These two locomotives are the first of a 30-unit order placed in November 2007 by UK-based
Freightliner. The purchase represented the largest order of freight locomotives in Freightliner's
history. Four more PowerHaul locomotives are scheduled to ship in November.
“The PowerHaul Series is GE’s most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and low-emissions
diesel-electric freight locomotive to date,†said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE
Transportation. “Fuel-efficiency delivers a real competitive advantage to our railway
customers around the world as they strive to minimize their carbon footprint .â€
The locomotives will travel by rail from GE’s manufacturing facility in Erie, Pa., to Lamberts
Point Docks in Norfolk, Va., where they will be shipped by sea the week of October 19 to the
Port of Newport in South Wales, UK, and are anticipated to arrive early November.
“We chose GE’s PowerHaul locomotive to help Freightliner find new ways to increase capacity
on our congested freight network, and maintain our performance promise to our customers
for many years to come,†said Peter Maybury, CEO of Freightliner Group Ltd. “I am very proud
of this partnership. The development team has gone way beyond just meeting standard
compliance by designing and delivering innovative solutions to challenges such as increasing
hauling capacity and fuel savings as well as reducing our carbon emissions.â€
Freightliner sponsors a Twitter site on which you can view the PowerHaul Series locomotive
journey at: http://twitter.com/PowerHaul.
Leading Technology
The 129-ton PowerHaul Series locomotive is designed to generate more horsepower and
tractive effort while lowering fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than
locomotives currently in use. The locomotive features several leading technologies to
achieve this performance including the new V16-cylinder, twin-turbo PowerHaul Series engine
-- a product of ecomaginationSM. Ecomagination is a GE-wide initiative to help meet customer
demand for more energy-efficient products.
This 3,700-horsepower engine is EU Stage IIIa emissions certified. Combined with other
technologies the engine is projected to reduce PowerHaul locomotive fuel use by
approximately 9% compared to current operating fleet averages. This fuel savings also will
reduce GHG emissions over a typical duty cycle and overall operating costs.
GE’s unique AC individual-axle traction-control technology enables the PowerHaul Series to
haul heavier loads by significantly reducing slippage on start-ups, inclines and suboptimal
track conditions.
The PowerHaul Series also features dynamic braking in addition to air brakes to provide
smoother handling when hauling heavier loads.
The dual air-conditioned, low-noise operator cabs were designed with input from the
operators for comfort and maximum efficiency. The cabs embody a well-organized, cleanand-
neat European style featuring easy-to-read gauges and an unobstructed frontwindshield
for a clear track view.
Regional Manufacturing and Service
GE Transportation has been developing the infrastructure to manufacture and support the
PowerHaul Series locomotives through alliances with well-established regional vendors. In
December 2008 GE announced an agreement to supply Tülomsas (www.tulomsas.com) with
the necessary technology and material to assemble GE’s PowerHaul Series locomotives in
Turkey for the European, Middle East and North African markets.
Recently, GE Transportation and EuroMaint Rail (www.euromaint.com/en/EuroMaint-Rail) also
announced an alliance to collaborate on rolling stock services and technology for the rail industry
that will provide European rail customers with an unprecedented level of service capabilities for
existing fleets, including a strong regional service network for the PowerHaul Series locomotive.
Globalization and International Trade
Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries around the world.
GE Transportation’s success story serves as a powerful reminder that free trade and open
markets worldwide sustain businesses and employment opportunities in North America and
beyond.
About GE Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, an operational unit of General
Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine,
drilling, mining and wind power industries. GE Transportation provides freight and passenger
locomotives, signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions,
marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality
replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pa.,
and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit
www.getransportation.com.
About Freightliner Group Ltd.
Previously part of British Rail, Freightliner was privatized in 1996 and has since increased
turnover by over 180 percent. Initially only providing Intermodal services, the company has
since expanded to have five subsidiary companies, all operating under Freightliner Group
Limited. Freightliner Limited is the UK’s largest hauler of maritime containers, accounting for
20 percent of the total market share, and 83 percent of the rail-fed market. It provides trunk
rail services between key ports and inland rail freight interchanges within the UK,
supplemented with local road services, to move customers’ containers on the first or last leg
of a worldwide journey. In 1999, Freightliner identified a significant opportunity to expand, and
established Freightliner Heavy Haul Limited (FHH) to service the bulk rail freight industry. FHH
now operates nationwide in the coal, aggregates, cement, specialist minerals, waste and
petroleum sectors, and has grown to a turnover of over £100m. Since then, Freightliner Group
has established new subsidiaries, Freightliner Maintenance Limited, a separate entity
dedicated to the repair and maintenance of traction and rolling stock, and international
subsidiaries; Freightliner PL Limited – operational in Poland and Germany, and Freightliner
Australia Pty Limited, which began operations this year. For more information visit:
www.freightliner.co.uk.
###
Media Contacts:
GE Transportation
Stephan Koller
Tel: +1.814.875.3457 (office)
Tel: +1.814.431.3150 (cell)
stephan.koller@ge.com
Tom Scott
Tel: +1.33.635.249.233 (cell)
thomasxavier.scott@ge.com
Freightliner Group Limited
Philippa Brooks
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7200 3902 (office)
Tel: +44 (0) 7793 666367 (cell)
brooksP@freightliner.co.uk
GE ships first PowerHaul locos to UK
- John Ashworth
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GE ships first PowerHaul locos to UK
This press release can be found here. Some pictures of the PowerHaul loco can be found here
- John Ashworth
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23606
- Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
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Re: GE ships first PowerHaul locos to UK
Another picture here. Some enthusiasts on one of the UK news groups suggest that this is the best they'll ever look!