Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD)
Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) recently delivered three SD70ACe demonstrator locomotives to the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad (A&M), representing the first AC traction locomotives for the independent, Class III railroad. A&M operates 139 miles from Fort Smith, Ark., to Monett, Mo., and interchanges with BNSF, Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Class I railroads. The SD70ACe locomotives are certified for EPA Tier 3 emissions standards, and features include radial trucks and distributed power, in addition to AC traction. The railroad selected EMD to supply its new locomotives based on the demonstrated performance of the SD70ACe. "To take advantage of AC traction on our mountainous route, we determined the rugged design of the SD70ACe would allow A&M to maintain high fleet availability at low cost. The SD70ACe locomotive is ideal for our operations and will enable A&M to retire several older locomotives, while drastically increasing our hauling capability and efficiency." said A&M's Chairman Reilly McCarren. The 4,300 traction horsepower SD70ACe locomotive integrates EMD's highly reliable and fuel-efficient 16-cylinder 710 engine, EM2000 microprocessor control system and AC traction. EMD launched the model in 2005 for freight applications in North America and around the world. "We're excited to provide the first AC locomotives to be introduced into A&M's fleet," said Billy Ainsworth, Progress Rail and EMD Chief Executive Officer. "We appreciate the confidence A&M has in EMD and look forward to providing the highest quality locomotives and services to support their operations and the lowest total cost of ownership."
The locomotives, EMD road numbers 1201-1203, were delivered to A&M from Progress Rail's Mayfield, Ky., facility. EMD 1201 made its debut at the MINExpo Show in Las Vegas, Nev., last September, painted in Caterpillar® yellow. Modifications at the Mayfield shop included a new, modern paint design reflecting A&M's corporate colors and renumbering to A&M road numbers 70-72. (Mike Murray Photos)
Caterpillar Inc's Rail Division, which includes Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc, (EMD) a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corporation, announced in October 2013 they had signed an agreement with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) to supply up to 20 EMD F125 low-emission Spirit series passenger locomotives for operation on Metrolink, the commuter rail service provider in Southern California. With this announcement, Metrolink becomes the first passenger railroad to purchase new transit locomotives designed to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standards in North America. Delivery will begin in 2015. The EMD Spirit is compliant with the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act's (PRIIA) 305-005 Next Generation locomotive specifications, and meets or exceeds all of Metrolink's requirements for procuring highly-reliable, fuel-efficient locomotives for passenger rail service. The Spirit is capable of operating at speeds of up to 125 mph, enabling it to satisfy potential increased speed requirements. In addition, the locomotives reduce emissions over the current Tier 0 fleet by more than 85 percent, per the U.S. EPA's Tier 4 emissions standards for new diesel locomotives. EMD's 4,700 horsepower Spirit locomotive consists of a streamlined Vossloh Rail Vehicles (VRV) designed monocoque (or single shell) carbody with one control cab equipped with Crash Energy Management; a turbocharged, 20-cyclinder; 4-stroke Cat® C-175 20 diesel engine; an AC traction propulsion system; VRV high-speed running gear; inverter controlled head end power and all the accessories necessary for single and multiple unit operation suitable for commuter and intercity service. EMD plans to assemble the locomotives at its Muncie facility in Indiana.
"We are delighted to be working with Metrolink, a visionary agency, and now a leader in the pursuit of new, cleaner operating passenger locomotives. EMD is pleased to provide Metrolink with the first passenger locomotives designed to meet Tier 4 emissions standards, marking EMD's re-entry into the passenger rail business. We are proud to say we are back, and excited to be on the forefront of passenger rail technology," said Billy Ainsworth, President and CEO of Progress Rail Services and Electro-Motive Diesel. "From EMD's first record setting Zephyr, topping 112 mph in 1934, to our latest F125 Spirit capable of speeds up to 125 mph, we will rely on the combined strengths of Caterpillar's Rail Division including EMD and Progress Rail to mark a new era of progress in the passenger rail market."
The EMD GT46AC International model for South America EMDX 4301 is in Chile now, being shown and will be enroute to destination in Brazil soon. EMDX 4302 and 4303 are going directly to Brazil.
EMD's 4,700 horsepower Spirit locomotive consists of a streamlined Vossloh Rail Vehicles (VRV) designed monocoque (or single shell) carbody with one control cab equipped with Crash Energy Management; a turbocharged, 20-cyclinder; 4-stroke Cat® C-175 20 diesel engine; an AC traction propulsion system; VRV high-speed running gear; inverter controlled head end power and all the accessories necessary for single and multiple unit operation suitable for commuter and intercity service. EMD plans to assemble the locomotives at its Muncie facility in Indiana.
The F125 Spirit includes an SCR-only after-treatment system to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standards. Equipped with an electronic fuel injection system, a Cat® C175 series diesel engine provides exceptional train acceleration advantages, compared to other less powerful locomotive products or older technologies, while maintaining Tier 4 emissions performance.
Caterpillar, Progress Rail and EMD have taken an enterprise approach to identify the optimal technology that can be applied to locomotives to achieve Tier 4 emissions standards. With the companies' experience as a worldwide leader in locomotive technologies, EMD will offer Metrolink innovative solutions benefiting fleet performance and satisfying the need for increased capacity. Caterpillar, Progress Rail and EMD are the only OEMs to have designed and sold new locomotives designed to meet Tier 4 emissions standards.
As part of the Spirit locomotive procurement and its commitment to clean air, Metrolink will donate up to five F-59 locomotives for alternative fuels research and development programs in hopes of realizing emissions-free commuter rail operations in the future.
Demonstrator units EMDX SD70ACe-P4 1211-1212 have arrived at Trinidad, Colorado for testing. The SD70ACe-P4’s were built at EMD/PROGRESS RAIL in Muncie, IN and have only four traction motors instead of six. The two wheel sets next the fuel tank are not powered. Also, notice there is no front door window. A1A-A1A powered BNSF ES344AC 7824 is on test train with ES44C4 6598 and 6599 and EMDX SD70ACe-P4 1211 and 1212, SD70ACe P4 (B1-1B). The test train is seen on the Wootton Ranch on Raton Pass, CO, October 8th, 2013
EMD LONDON VIGNETTE:
GMDD Builders Plate:
CAD Railway Industries in Lachine, QC has been contracted to overhaul and repaint and upgrade several CP GP38-2 and GP38AC locomotives to Tier 0+ compliance, upgrading with AESS (Automatic Engine Start/Stop), and repainting them into CP livery as NRE-Silvis has been doing for CP. The first two units on the property are underway.
GP38-2’s released from CADRAIL:
Nil
CP GP38-2’s for overhaul at CADRAIL:
STLH GP38-2 7306 (ex-D&H Arrived in October)
CP GP38-2 3130 (Arrived in August)
CP GP38-2 3027 (Arrived in June)
SOO SD60 overhaul update:
CP 6251 and 6226 were the last CP SD60’s rebuilt, and released by CAD Railway Industries (Lachine, QC). The overhauls included Tier 0+ compliance, installation of AESS (Locomotive Automatic Engine Start/Stop) to conserve fuel, and CP repaint and renumbering into the CP 6200-series. None received any cab upgrades. The rebuilt units also each received (PTC) Positive Train Control modifications at the CP St-Luc Diesel Shop. Back on June 28th, 2013, CP announced they were seeking expressions of interest and bids for all (or part) of their 42 unit SOO LINE SD6o/SD60M Fleet including the CAD rebuilt CP SD60/SD60M’s. Except for the handful activated and mentioned above, most of the CP 6200-series remain stored, with stacks capped. All the SOO SD60’s are stored unserviceable, and are for sale “As is”. CP is seeking a buyer, or lease with a buyout option for the entire fleet. The SD60’s were built at EMD Lagrange, IL in 1987-89,
Over the last month CP has been utilizing several rebuilt SD60’s, CP 6247, 6248, 6251, 6257, and 6262 and others on regular trains and in (MTL-TOR) Expressway Service for locomotive testing, and if needed get tweaked at CADRAIL. As well, other CP rebuilt SD60’s have been leased to Quebec- Gatineau (QGRY), often operating on CP grain trains.
On October 25th, Geoff Elliott photographed CP SD60 6257 leading train 235-25 through MP 94.0 on the Windsor Sub., at Belle River, ON.
Completed CADRAIL unit tally as of November 1st, 2013
CP SD60 6226 (ex-SOO 6026) painted and complete August 30th, 2013
CP SD60 6251 (ex-SOO 6051) released in late-August 2013
CP SD60 6232 (ex-SOO 6032) painted and complete August 18th. 2013
CP SD60 6222 (ex-SOO 6022) painted and complete July 30th, 2013
CP SD60 6247 (ex-SOO 6047) released June 22nd. 2013
CP SOO 6248 (Ex-SOO 6048) released June 15th, 2013
CP SD60M 6262 (ex-SOO 6062) released April 29th, 2013
CP SD60 6239 (ex-SOO 6039) released April 29th, 2013
CP SD60M 6259 (ex-SOO 6059) released in April 2013
CP SD60M 6258 (ex-SOO 6058) released in April 2013
CP SD60 6231 (ex-SOO 6031) released January 20th, 2013
CP SD60 6249 (ex-SOO 6049) released December 21st , 2012
CP SD60 6238 (ex-SOO 6038) released December 4th, 2012
CP SD60 6256 (ex-SOO 6056) released November 29, 2012
CP SD60 6246 (ex-SOO 6046) released November 20, 2012.
CP SD60 6230 (ex-SOO 6030) released November 1st, 2012
CP SD60 6236 (ex-SOO 6036) released October 26th, 2012
CP SD60 6221 (ex-SOO 6021) released October 6th, 2012.
CP SD60 6223 (ex-SOO 6023) released September 20th, 2012
CP SD60 6257 (ex-SOO 6057) released August 31st. 2012
CP SD60 6234 (ex-SOO 6034) released August 15th, 2012
CP SD60 6252 (ex-SOO 6052) released July 25th, 2012
CP SD60 6255 (ex-SOO 6055) released June 21st, 2012
CP SD60 6229 (ex-SOO 6029) released June 5th, 2012
CP SD60 6243 (ex-SOO 6043) released April 20th 2012
CP SD60 6254 (ex-SOO 6054) released March 29th 2012
CP SD60 6245 (ex-SOO 6045) released March 6th 2012
CP SD60 6242 (ex-SOO 6042) released March 1st 2012
CP SD60M 6260 (ex-SOO 6060) released January 13th 2012
CP SD60 6228 (ex-SOO 6028) released December 16th 2011
CP SD60 6225 (ex-SOO 6025) released December 1st 2011
CP SD60 6241 (ex-SOO 6041) released November 2011
CP SD60 6240 (ex-SOO 6040) released October 2011
CP SD60 6250 (ex-SOO 6050) released October 2011
Undergoing overhaul at Cadrail:
NIL
The following locomotives were noted at CADRAIL:
CSLX S-11 100 - nee-CP S-11 6622) for an engine change out
CP GP9u 1651 cut up in September
CP GP9u 1545 cut up in August
CP GP9u 1564 cut up in September
GP GP9u 1688 cut up in September
CP SD60 6232 repairs
CP SD60 6239 repairs
CP GP38-2 3130 (Arrived in August for overhaul)
CP GP38-2 3027 (Arrived in July for overhaul)
STLH GP38-2 7306 (Arrived in October for overhaul)
CITX SW1500 1561, 1563, 1564 1565, (Overhauled in fresh blue paint with CITX logo)
CEFX SW1500 1560, 1562, and 1566. (Undergoing overhauls)
CSX SD70M 4687 (repairs)
CSX SD70MAC 4685 “Spirit of Mulberry” (repairs)
CP AC4400CW 9708, 9730, 9739, 9712, 9780, and 9759 (repairs)
On October 13th CSX SD60M 4687 arrived on the property for repairs
On September 29th, ABB depressed Center Heavy Duty flat car (ABWX 20002) with six trucks and no load.
CP SD60 6232 and 6239 had returned on September 29th for warranty repairs. CP 6239 apparently has severe vibrations in the engine and crews don’t want to ride in the cab.
In August, RBRX 18520 18522 and 18533, (ex-GO 520, 522 and 533) were leased to Metrolink for a period of 6-8 months to get them through the downtime anticipated in installation of Positive Train Control on the existing locomotive fleet.
Over the last two months, Cadrail has been cutting up three ex-CP GP9u locomotives stored on their property: CP 1688, 1651 and 1564. CP 1688 was a former TH&B passenger GP7.
CSLX S-11 100 - nee-CP S-11 6622) for an engine change out
The following locomotives were released from CADRAIL:
RBRX 18520 18522 and 18533, (All Leased to Metro Link in Los Angeles)
RBRX 18520 18522 and 18533, (All Leased to Metro Link in Los Angeles)
CP SD60M 6262 (Completed and leased to QGRY)
CP SD60 6247 (Completed and leased to QGRY)
CP SD60 6222 (Completed and stored on CP)
CP SD60 6232 (Completed in August, transferred to CP St-Luc Diesel Shop)
CP AC4400CW 9771 (repairs)
CP AC4400CW 9700 (repairs)
CP AC4400CW 9763 (repairs, and later received truck overhaul at St-Luc).
CP AC4400CW 9784 (repairs)
CP AC4400CW 9771 (repairs)
CITX (CEFX) SD40-2 3071 (repairs)
CITX (CEFX) SD40-2 3172 (repairs)
CITX (CEFX) SD40-2 3155 (repairs)
CITX (CEFX) SD40-2 3082 (repairs)
CP 9725 AC4400CW (repairs)
CP 9750 AC4400CW (repairs)
CP 9751 AC4400CW (repairs)
CP 9772 (AC4400CW (repairs)
CITX SD9043MAC 130 (Repainted CITX blue).
CITX SD9043MAC 105 (repainted blue and in transit to IBCX in October)
CITX SD9043MAC 109 (arr-Bensonville, IL for further billing in October)
CITX SD9043MAC 119 (to Indiana Railroad)
CITX SD9043MAC 125 (repainted blue and in transit to IBCX in October) CEFX AC4400CW 1037 (repairs)
CEFX AC4400CW 1029 (repairs)
CEFX AC4400CW 1037 (repairs)
VIA RDC-4 6251 (nee CP 9251), and RDCs 6208, 6219 were released from IRSI In October. As well three LRC coaches were shipped from IRSI on tail end of #15 on Oct 29.
In August, DESX GP10 8308 (ex-IC nee-Mid South Rail) was leased to the Great Sandhills Railway for service. DESX also leased LTEX GP15-1 1450 from Larry’s Truck Electric, and then in August sub-leased it out to Richardson International, an industry in Saskatchewan.
Units stored on DESX property include: (DESX) SD40-2W 5308, 5310, 5311, 5312, 5313, and SD40-2 5391.
A classic GE 80-tonner was photographed by Ken Reiss sitting outside the Diesel Electric Services shop in Sudbury, Ontario on October 23, 2013. Built in April 1953 as Falconbridge Nickle Mines 107, she is now looking sharp as DESX 107 painted in Diesel Electric's black and blue stripe scheme.
Bombardier Transportation Canada
Ken Reiss caught a brand new Bombardier BiLevel Coach, SunRail #3004, on route to Central Florida stopping briefly in Sudbury, Ontario on October 24, 2013. This coach will be used on the expanding commuter rail line in the Greater Orlando area. Trains today run from the northernmost station of DeBary to the southernmost station of Sand Lake Road. Phase II of construction will push service North to DeLand and South to Poinciana.
NRE/Alco Locomotive Shop Capreol, ON
On the property are eleven NREX owned units stored and are shown listed in number order; (NREX) GP9 208, RS3 307, GMD1m 1141, 1149, GP9 1602, 1684, GMD1 1911, SD40-2 5567, 5619, 5620, 5644, and 5771.
Lambton Diesel Services (LDSX) - Sarnia, ON
Released from Lambton Diesel Specialist and enroute to Winnipeg, MB in September was ex-CP SW1200RS 1240, now painted in Cando Contracting livery and renumbered CCGX 1007.
Ex-CN SW1200RS 1251 sold to Lambton Diesel Specialists last month, has arrived at the facility in Sarnia, ON. This switcher had been used at Lake Ontario Steel in Whitby, ON for many years, and before that was the shop switcher at the Point St-Charles Shop under the AMF banner just before GEC-ALSTHOM took over in the 1990’s.
LDSX SW1200RS 1359 was renumbered Cando Contracting (CCGX) 1006, and moved in April from Lambton Diesel Services in Windsor, to London over CN, and then continued over CP to Terrace Bay Pulp and Paper company in Terrace Bay, ON where it is currently leased.
“Green” Locomotive Roundup
(Edited by Jody Moore)
Terminal Railroad, Alabama State Docks has an RP14BD from Railpower. TASD 802 was converted into a twin-engine genset for Railpower at Metro East earlier this year. Core unit was an MP15DC of the same number. According to ASD's summer edition of its newsletter, the Alabama State Ports has received additional funding for two more units to be converted.
Our man in the field, Robert Muir sent us a photo of a brand new NRE Tier 4-compliant 3GS18B-R genset, US Navy 65-00647, along with US Army 3GS21B-DE 6515 together at CSX's Barr Yard in Riverdale, IL
A new model, freshly painted NATIONAL RAILWAY EQUIPMENT NREX “SD40-4” 4321 was photographed with the builders plate at NRE Silvis, IL in October 22nd, by KJ Larson with permission. The NRE SD40-4 has a Tier 0+ kit on its EMD645 engine. She started life in 1971 as Penn Central SD40 6269, then Conrail 6269, EMD 6408 and finally FURX 3031. She is equipped with all the latest NRE electronics including NRE's DC choppers for increased adhesion.
© CRO October 2013