GE Transportation a subsidiary of GE (NYSE) and one of the world’s leading suppliers to the railroad, transit, and mining industries, providing freight and passenger locomotives today announced that the most recent locomotive was delivered with local content that exceeds the commitment from GE’s initial Transnet order of 100 locomotives. The locomotive is the 42nd locomotive and is the most advanced diesel electric locomotive ever built in South Africa. The official unveiling of the locomotive took place at an event held at Transnet Rail Engineering’s facilities in Koedoespoort, Pretoria.
According to the contract, ten of the locomotives were manufactured in Erie and Grove City, Pennsylvania, USA and 133 are to be assembled locally at Transnet Rail Engineering’s site in South Africa with locomotive kits provided by GE Transportation in Erie and Grove City, Pennsylvania. More than 54 locomotives are already in revenue service generating significant operational efficiencies for Transnet Freight Rail (TFR).
Photo: Chief Executive of Transnet Rail Engineering Richard Vallihu and Global President & CEO of GE Transportation Lorenzo Simonelli all smiles after unveiling of Loco 42. The locomotive is the 42nd locomotive and is the most advanced diesel electric locomotive ever built in South Africa. This historic event also marks the completion of more than 50% of the 1st locomotive contract to supply 100 locomotives to Transnet Freight Rail. Speaking on the occasion, Lorenzo Simonelli the global President & CEO, GE Transportation said, “The delivery of this locomotive is a big milestone for GE and the MIC as we are celebrating the first South African product delivered by our joint venture company GE South Africa Technologies. These locomotives represent great opportunities for Transnet and South Africa as well as GE. Transnet will be able to significantly improve hauling capability while reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.” The partnership with Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) demonstrates the progress that GE’s transportation business is making in replicating its global model of localizing content in countries it operates in. With this order, GE overshot its self-imposed target of 30% local content. The locomotives assembled in South Africa have 37% local content. The partnership has also produced a significant investment in job development, economic advancement and infrastructure growth for all parties. The GE Model C30ACi locomotive is an Ecomagination product. Ecomagination is GE’s initiative to bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet their most pressing environmental challenges. These locomotives will enable customers to haul the same amount of freight with fewer locomotives thereby reducing fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. GE’s C30ACi is the first locomotive in the South African region to meet stringent UIC2 emissions standards. The addition of these new locomotives, which will be used to haul freight and coal, will decrease life-cycle costs, improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Two GE locomotives do the work of three older locomotives, saving 600,000 liters of fuel a year and lowering emissions. It can reduce emissions by 1,500 metric tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to eliminating the emissions from 310 cars on South African roads.
GE’s Model C30ACi is first AC diesel-electric locomotive to be introduced to sub-Saharan Africa. Its engine delivers 3,300 Gross Horse Power (GHP) using an electronic fuel injection system that automatically supplies the exact amount of fuel needed for optimal engine efficiency. These locomotives also feature GE’s unique AC propulsion technology and dynamic braking.
“The GE Model C30ACi series is another example of our commitment to invest in technology and bring new, innovative concepts to the marketplace,” says Lorenzo Simonelli, Global President and CEO of GE Transportation. “We will continue to support Ecomagination by engineering product offerings that help customers improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and sustain a long life of reliable service.”A trusted partner and supplier to the rail and mining industries in South Africa, GE Transportation has an installed base of some 1,200 GE locomotives in Africa including approximately 900 in South Africa. About GE Transportation GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), solves the world’s toughest transportation challenges.GE Transportation builds equipment that moves the rail, mining and marine industries. Our fuel-efficient and lower-emissions freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for rail, marine and stationary power applications, signaling and software solutions, drive systems for mining trucks, and value-added services help customers grow. GE Transportation employs approximately 12,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit the company’s website at www.getransportation.com About GE GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and helping to cure the world. Not just imagining. Doing.GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com
