26 November 2007 Freightliner Group Orders 30 Locomotives From GE - Transportation for UK Market
Erie, Penn., Nov. 26, 2007 - GE - Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), received an order for 30 freight locomotives from UK-based Freightliner Group Ltd the company announced today. The purchase represents the largest order of freight locomotives in Freightliner’s history.
GE - Transportation is developing a new freight locomotive in partnership with Freightliner Group. The collaborative effort called “Project Genesis” marks a new beginning for both companies. Starting in mid 2009, Freightliner will utilize the most advanced locomotive product in the industry while GE - Transportation will enter the UK rail freight market for the first time.
The innovative design offers an array of new features, including AC traction technology and dynamic braking. GE - Transportation’s JS37ACi locomotives allow Freightliner to increase its hauling capacity while lowering fuel consumption by an estimated 10 percent compared to the current locos in its fleet.
The interesting thing about this order is the diesel engine chosen to power it. A GE Jenbacher J616 Diesel engine. This engine is more commonly used as power genset with natural gas or similar fuels. There is no experience with using it in a locomotive. The diesel would be built in Jenbach Austria, I wonder where the locomotive will be assembled.
Am I correct in assuming that the reason that this is not a GEVO repackaged for UK specifications is that the ES44AC is inherently too big for the loading gauge (even in a considerably different carbody)? I note that the EMD/Vossloh Euro 4000 does not seem to be attracting UK interest…
This is not a repackaged GEVO. There are likely some components in common. but the engine is different.
The Euro 4000 is too big for the UK loading gauge. Note that the Freightliner order is for 30 locomotives, probably the minimum to justify the expense of designing, and certifying a new locomotive for Europe. I have two questions, first will the higher cost be offset by the higher performance, second why the Jenbacher engine? Many diesels that are successful as stationary power generators fail as locomotive prime movers because of the very different operating conditions.
Looking at the spec for the gas-fuelled version of Jenbacher J616, the thing that stands out is that it is a high-speed (1500rpm) engine - this seems a courageous move for a freight loco design where (according to the press release) lower operating costs are one of the selling points.
I assume that Freightliner are going for this new design to try and get a competitive advantage over the other UK operators (all using mostly EMD 66’s) i.e. the ability to haul heavier trains at passenger-railway friendly speeds (there has also been talk of upgrading certain busy freight routes for higher axle loads too).