The order includes Tier 4 ET44ACs and Tier 3 ES44ACs (Tier 4 certified) locomotives to be equipped with GE’s GoLINC Platform, Trip Optimizer System and Distributed Power LOCOTROL eXpanded Architecture. The exact split of the new locomotives between ET44ACs and Tier 4 certified ES44ACs isn’t known at this time. Industry sources anticipate delivery to start in the third quarter of 2018.
The Tier 3 certified ES44ACs are built using emission credits General Electric has generated by using various energy saving equipment on its locomotives. A stipulation on using the credits is one Tier 4 locomotive must be built for every Tier 3 certified locomotive in the same calendar year.
“We are bullish on the North American economy and on our ability to compete and win new business with our superior service model,” says Luc Jobin, CN president and CEO. “In the years ahead, these GE Transportation locomotives and their digital technology will support and enhance our operational efficiency. We are proud to continue our partnership with GE Transportation and look forward to adding these units to our fleet as part of our commitment to operational and service excellence.”
The locomotives will be produced at the GE Manufacturing Solutions facility in Fort Worth, Texas, beginning in 2018. CN’s order is the largest among class I railroads since 2014. The first units are expected to be delivered in 2018 with the balance delivered in 2019 and 2020.
“CN’s steadfast commitment to serving the expanding needs of its customers across Canada and the United States is helping to turn around the North American locomotive market,” said Rafael Santana, GE Transportation’s CEO. “We are proud to partner with CN on this agreement to meet the needs of their future growth, and optimize and further digitize their freight rail operations.”
UPDATE: Additional information from sources close to the railroad. Dec. 22, 2017, 11:40 a.m. Central time.
