CN orders new power

Trains Magazine Locomotives
1

Just saw this on Reuters, nice to see them planning for a future.

"CN Orders 70 New High-horsepower Locomotives From GE And EMD

10:00am EDT

CN announced orders for 70 new high-horsepower locomotives from GE Transportation, a unit of GE, and Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD). CN will acquire 35 ES44DC locomotives from GE starting in the fourth quarter of 2010, and 35 SD70M-2s from EMD beginning in January 2011. The GE locomotives produce 4,400 horsepower and the EMDs 4,350 horsepower. "

Question: do the EMD units meet the pending stricter emissions requirements?

Ed

2

Yes, the T2 engine actually easily meets Tier 3.

3

Quite easily, though CN is not under such restrictions in Canada.

4

CN and CP have signed an agreement with Environment Canada, that when they buy new locomotives, they will purchase them to meet the current US emission standards. Unlike US railroads they have no requirement to update older locomotives to meet newer requirements. The smaller Canadian railways like QNS&L, never signed the agreement, and so can buy whatever they want.

5

Which is one reason why we still have GP9’s on the roster.

6

Question: Why would CN order two different types of locomotives? I would have thought that it would be more economical to sole-source, with a standardized spare parts inventory, training program etc. Any thoughts?

7

If the railroads only purchase the GE diesels, they will have no choice in the future but to buy from GE. EMD is probably on its last legs, but still offers CN a home town/country type advantage. CN has late models from both EMD and GE so the sole-source still works since both types will be add on diesels to the CN stable.

CZ

8

None of the motive power seems to be a replacement for the GP9s and GP38-2s still on the CN GTW IC rosters.

What new units could replace GP9s and GP38-2s on the CN?

Andrew

9

What sources do you rely on to make these two statements?

10

CN might choose to remanufacture older units with the EMD 710 ECO package like KCS is doing…Progress rail and Railpower offer similiar packages. There are also the various Genset offerings…

11

They already have examples of both models on their roster so the spare parts requirement is minimal, and no additional technician training is required.