GM Electro-Motive's SD70ACe Locomotive in Service
06 April 2004 - 4:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
GM Electro-Motive's SD70ACe Locomotive in Service 2005
Emissions-Compliant Locomotive is Pulling Coal Trains LAGRANGE,
Ill., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors Electro-Motive
Division today announced that its Tier 2 locomotives have
progressed on schedule to the next phase of reliability and
performance verification -- pulling coal trains in revenue service.
In January 2005, new locomotives are required to meet Tier 2 engine
emissions standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). As announced in June 2004, the SD70ACe locomotive design
uses the well-known and reliable 710 diesel engine to surpass these
stringent emissions standards. For the past nine months, SD70ACe
locomotives have logged millions of kilowatt-hours on the tracks of
the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado. This has
enabled Electro-Motive to test around the clock and exercise every
system on the locomotive using the most rigorous verification of
reliability and performance. According to Bill Happel, Vice
President of General Motors and General Manager of Electro-Motive,
"Many of our customers who have participated in the tests have
commented on two things: (1) The reliability benefits of meeting
Tier 2 emissionsstandards without adding any new technologies or
complicated equipment to the 710 engine, and (2) The outstanding
improvements in ergonomics and maintainability in the new cab and
throughout the locomotive." Happel added: "I am very pleased that
the locomotive development program is on schedule and we are moving
as planned into the revenue service phase of the program -- well
ahead of the production date for Tier 2 locomotives." Two SD70ACe
units are providing the first extensive revenue service
demonstration on Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS). This will be
followed by revenue service demonstrations on other railroads in
North America. The SD70ACe locomotive uses an AC (Alternating
Current) traction system to develop a continuous tractive effort of
157,000 lb. for pulling heavy coal trains as well as higher speed
intermodal trains. A DC (Direct Current) traction system is also
available for operations requiring lower tractive effort levels.
About Electro-Motive: Electro-Motive Division of General Motors
markets, designs, sells, manufactures, and services freight and
passenger diesel- electric locomotives and diesel marine and power
generation products for use worldwide. The division has primary
operations in LaGrange, Illinois, USA and in London, Ontario,
Canada, as well as relationships with assembly affiliates and sales
licensees throughout the world. Electro-Motive and its associates
have produced over 58,000 diesel-electric locomotives for customers
in 73 countries. Electro-Motive can be found on the Web at
http://www.gmemd.com/ . DATASOURCE: General Motors Electro-Motive
CONTACT: Curt Swenson of General Motors Electro-Motive,
+1-708-387-6264, Web site: http://media.gm.com/ http://www.gm.com/
http://www.gmemd.com/
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