GE Evolution Series
Encyclopedia
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
s built by GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
, designed to meet the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC traction motors, depending on the customer's preference. All are powered by the GE GEVO engine.
The Evolution Series was named as one of the "10 Locomotives That Changed Railroading" by industry publication Trains Magazine
Trains (magazine)
Trains is a monthly magazine dedicated to trains and railroads, and is one of the two flagship publications of Kalmbach Publishing. The magazine is read both by railroad enthusiasts, commonly referred to as railfans, and those within the railroad industry....
. It was the only locomotive introduced after 1972 to be included in that list.
Models
Currently, four different Evolution Series models have been produced for the North American market. They are all six axle locomotives and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classificationAAR wheel arrangement
The AAR wheel arrangement system is a method of classifying locomotive wheel arrangements that was developed by the Association of American Railroads. It is essentially a simplification of the European UIC classification, and it is widely used in North America to describe diesel and electric...
) or Co'Co' (UIC classification
UIC classification
The UIC classification of locomotive axle arrangements describes the wheel arrangement of locomotives, multiple units and trams. It is set out in the International Union of Railways "Leaflet 650 - Standard designation of axle arrangement on locomotives and multiple-unit sets". It is used in much...
), except for the ES44C4 which has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.
ES40DC
The ES40DC (Evolution Series, 4000 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-40CWGE Dash 9-40CW
The GE Dash 9-40CW is a diesel locomotive that was built by GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania between January 1996 and September 2004. All 1,090 units were built for Norfolk Southern Railway, as road numbers 8889 to 9978. Part of the "Dash 9" locomotive series, these units are...
model in GE's range and, like the former model, has been delivered exclusively to Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
. ES44DCs owned by CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
have also been given this designation after being de-rated to 4,000 hp.
ES44DC
The ES44DC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-44CWGE Dash 9-44CW
The GE C44-9W is a 4,400 hp diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania. Keeping in tradition with GE's locomotive series nicknames beginning with the "Dash 7" of the 1970s, the C44-9W was dubbed the Dash 9 upon its debut in 1993. The design has since proven popular...
model in GE's range. Primary users are BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
, CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
, and Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
. Pilbara Iron in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
ordered a lengthened, international version designated ES44DCi. The extra length is used for a larger radiator to increase cooling capacity in the Australian outback.
ES44AC
The ES44AC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction) replaces the AC4400CWGE AC4400CW
The GE AC4400CW is a diesel-electric locomotive that was built by GE Transportation Systems between 1993 and 2004. It is similar to the Dash 9-44CW, but features AC traction motors instead of DC, with a separate inverter per motor. 2,598 examples of this locomotive were produced for North American...
model in GE's range. These locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
(who refers to these locomotives as the C45ACCTE), BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
, Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
, Kansas City Southern Railway
Kansas City Southern Railway
The Kansas City Southern Railway , owned by Kansas City Southern Industries, is the smallest and second-oldest Class I railroad company still in operation. KCS was founded in 1887 and is currently operating in a region consisting of ten central U.S. states...
, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex
Ferromex
Ferromex is a private rail consortium that operates the largest railroad in Mexico.-Description:...
, and Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
. Iowa Interstate Railroad
Iowa Interstate Railroad
The Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Class II railroad operating in the central United States. The railroad is owned by Railroad Development Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-History:...
ordered 12 ES44ACs in April 2008 to be delivered by October 2008 to handle an expected traffic growth of 25%-30%, resulting from new ethanol plants coming on line. Iowa Interstate ordered two additional ES44ACs to be delivered in December 2009.
CSX began receiving an order of 200 ES44ACs (referred to by CSX as the ES44AH) in December 2007. The "H" in ES44AH stands for the heavier-than-standard configuration with "high tractive effort" software. The software is very similar to that used on Union Pacific units. Additionally, these units will be equipped with software to operate in DPU or "Distributed Power Unit Mode" as remote control helpers.
In September 2008, Norfolk Southern purchased 24 ES44ACs numbered 8000-8023, and began receiving the first of these units in October 2008. They are the first new AC locomotives ever purchased by NS. These new locomotives will be used in long haul coal trains. An additional 65 units have been ordered, numbered 8025-8090.
KCS's units are all painted in a Southern Belle
Southern Belle (KCS)
The Southern Belle was a named passenger train service offered by Kansas City Southern Railway from the 1940s through the 1960s, running between Kansas City, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisiana.The service was inaugurated on September 2, 1940...
paint scheme. The KCS units are being painted in Erie by GE, while some of KCSM's units have been delivered in primer to speed up delivery time.
Cemex
Cemex
CEMEX is the world's largest building materials supplier and third largest cement producer. Founded in Mexico in 1906, the company is based in Monterrey, Mexico...
took delivery of one ES44AC, number 81, in March 2008.
ES44C4
The ES44C4 (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction, 4 traction motors) is the newest model in the series. It is similar to the ES44AC, except that it has four traction motors instead of six. The center axle of each truck is unpowered, giving an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. BNSF Railway is the launch customer for this model, ordering an initial batch of 25 units numbered 6600-6624. As of November 2011, BNSF is the only buyer of this model and has 300 units.A unique feature of these units is that there is a variable traction control system in their computer systems. One of the differences between an ES44AC and an ES44C4 are the air cylinders and linkages on the truck sideframes of the ES44C4; these are part of the traction control system. Every time a variable in grade, traction, or wheel slip occurs, the computer will adjust the pressure in these cylinders to maintain sufficient adhesion, by varying the weight on the drive axles.
Identifying features
The Evolution Series locomotives are visually similar to the Dash 9GE Dash 9-44CW
The GE C44-9W is a 4,400 hp diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania. Keeping in tradition with GE's locomotive series nicknames beginning with the "Dash 7" of the 1970s, the C44-9W was dubbed the Dash 9 upon its debut in 1993. The design has since proven popular...
and AC4400CW
GE AC4400CW
The GE AC4400CW is a diesel-electric locomotive that was built by GE Transportation Systems between 1993 and 2004. It is similar to the Dash 9-44CW, but features AC traction motors instead of DC, with a separate inverter per motor. 2,598 examples of this locomotive were produced for North American...
, although small differences are evident. The most significant differences are in the radiator
Radiator
Radiators are heat exchangers used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in automobiles, buildings, and electronics...
section at the rear of the locomotive; the "wings" at the end of the carbody are larger, as is the entire radiator of the locomotive. As with the AC6000CW
GE AC6000CW
The AC6000CW is a diesel electric locomotive that is built by GE Transportation Systems. They are all used by major railroads in the United States, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton Iron Ore in Australia...
the radiators project beyond the end of the hood, and unlike any previous GE locomotive the grills under the radiator are at two different angles. The increase in radiator size is due to the necessity of greater cooling capacity in the locomotive in order to reduce emissions. The other major difference between the Evolution Series locomotives and older models are the vents below the radiators, which are larger than those on previous GE locomotives.
Evolution Series operators
- ArcelorMittal, operated by Cartier RailwayCartier RailwayThe Cartier Railway is a privately owned railway that operates 260 miles of track in the Canadian province of Québec. It is operated by the Cartier Railway Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arcelor Mittal, formerly Québec Cartier Mining Company...
:- 2 ES44ACs, numbered 301 and 302, built in summer 2010
- BNSF RailwayBNSF RailwayThe BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
:- 30 pre-production ES44AC units, numbered 5718-5747, were built between October 2003 & April 2004.
- 562 production ES44AC units, numbered 5748-5837, 5844-6299 & 6400-6415.
- 134 ES44AC units, numbered 6300-6399 & 6416-6449 on order and are currently being delivered
- 300 ES44C4 units, numbered 6600-6899.
- 721 ES44DC units, numbered 7200-7920.
- Canadian National:
- 125 ES44DC units, numbered 2220-2344.
- Canadian Pacific RailwayCanadian Pacific RailwayThe Canadian Pacific Railway , formerly also known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a historic Canadian Class I railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, which began operations as legal owner in a corporate restructuring in 2001...
:- 260 ES44AC units, numbered 8700-8960.
- 8700-8759 were built with GE self-steering trucks. Later orders specified the standard Hi-Adhesion trucks due to the higher maintenance costs of the steerable design.
- 8858-8877 were painted to promote the 2010 Winter Olympics2010 Winter OlympicsThe 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. Effective March 4, 2010 all 20 Olympic units have been earmarked to be sent to Progress Rail in Winnipeg for removal of Olympic logos and repainting of the logo area to the original red and white scheme. - 8890-8899 are fully equipped with ECPElectronically controlled pneumatic brakesElectronically controlled pneumatic brakes are a type of modern railway braking system which offer improved performance compared to traditional pneumatic brakes.- Overview :...
braking technology, which CP is currently testing on its coal fleet. - 8900-8960 are on order for late 2011.
- 9350-9379 are on order for 2012.
- 260 ES44AC units, numbered 8700-8960.
- CemexCemexCEMEX is the world's largest building materials supplier and third largest cement producer. Founded in Mexico in 1906, the company is based in Monterrey, Mexico...
- 1 ES44AC unit, numbered "81", was built in March 2008.
- CSX TransportationCSX TransportationCSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
:- 250 ES44AC units, numbered 700-949.
- 50 ES44AC units, numbered 950-999.
- Order cancelled in 2009 after one unit was completed. The one completed unit became
Iowa Interstate 512
-
- Units were reordered in 2011. Currently being delivered.
- 302 ES44DC units, numbered 5200-5501.
- All since de-rated to 4,000 hp and reclassified ES40DCs. CSXT 5500 lettered "Spirit of Cincinnati"
- FerromexFerromexFerromex is a private rail consortium that operates the largest railroad in Mexico.-Description:...
:- 100 ES44AC units, numbered 4600-4699.
- Iowa Interstate RailroadIowa Interstate RailroadThe Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Class II railroad operating in the central United States. The railroad is owned by Railroad Development Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-History:...
:- 12 ES44AC units, numbered 500-511. These are the first new units purchased by this road. Deliveries began in 2008; continued through 2009.
- 2 ES44AC units, numbered 512 & 513, Deliveries occurred in 2009.
- Number 513 is painted in a Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadChicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadThe Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
scheme; the Rock Island was a predecessor to the Iowa Interstate.
- Number 513 is painted in a Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
- Kansas City Southern:
- 110 ES44AC units, numbered 4650-4759.
- Norfolk Southern RailwayNorfolk Southern RailwayThe Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
:- 15 pre-production ES40DC units, numbered 7500-7514, were built between March & May 2004.
- 7500-7504 were delivered as 9912-9916.
- 205 ES40DC units, numbered 7515-7719.
- 24 ES44AC units, numbered 8000-8023.
- 68 ES44AC units, numbered 8024-8091. On order for 2010-2011
- 15 pre-production ES40DC units, numbered 7500-7514, were built between March & May 2004.
- Union Pacific RailroadUnion Pacific RailroadThe Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
:- 5 pre-production ES44AC units, numbered 5695-5699, were built between January & February 2003.
- 892 production ES44AC units, numbered 5248-5347, 5353-5694, 7345-7529,& 7600-7924.
- UP 7605 was delivered in GE Demonstrator colors, but has been repainted into the standard Building America scheme as of 01/05/2008.
- UP 2010, an ES44AC Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of AmericaThe Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
tribute unit, was unveiled on March 31, 2010 in Houston, Texas to commemorate 100 years of Boy Scouts. - In September 2010, UP 7400 was unveiled, featuring a pink ribbon on the side as a tribute to Susan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
.
Export sales
- China
- In October 2005 China RailwaysChina RailwaysChina Railways is the national railway operator of the People's Republic of China, under the Chinese Ministry of Railways.China Railways operates rail commuter and freight transport via several smaller companies....
ordered 300 Evolution Series locomotives, ES59ACiChina Railways HXN5The GE ES59ACi, also known as the HXN5 or China Mainline Locomotive, is a type of diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems and Qishuyan Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works for use on freight trains from Harbin to Qiqihar and Mudanjiang in the People's Republic of China.In October 2005,...
, from GE Transportation SystemsGE Transportation SystemsGE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
and Qishuyan Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works for delivery in 2008–2009. Two have been built at Erie, PennsylvaniaErie, PennsylvaniaErie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, the rest will be assembled by Qishuyan at ChangzhouChangzhouChangzhou is a prefecture-level city in southern Jiangsu province of the People's Republic of China. It was previously known as Yanling, Lanling, Jinling, and Wujin. Located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, Changzhou borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Zhenjiang to the...
.
- In October 2005 China Railways
- Kazakhstan
- On September 28, 2006 national railway Kazakhstan Temir Zholy signed an agreement with GE Transportation SystemsGE Transportation SystemsGE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
ordering 310 Evolution Series locomotives. The first ten of these were built in GE's Erie, PennsylvaniaErie, PennsylvaniaErie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, plant while the remaining 300 will be assembled at a new plant in AstanaAstanaAstana , formerly known as Akmola , Tselinograd and Akmolinsk , is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 708,794 as of 1 August 2010...
, Kazakhstan which was opened by President Nursultan NazarbayevNursultan NazarbayevNursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev has served as the President of Kazakhstan since the nation received its independence in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union...
on 3 July 2009 Delivery is expected between 2009 and 2012. The locomotives are built with dual cabs and are among the first diesel-electric locomotives with ACAlternating currentIn alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
traction motorTraction motorTraction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....
s to operate in the Commonwealth of Independent StatesCommonwealth of Independent StatesThe Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
(besides the 2TE25A built by Bryansk Engineering Works).
- On September 28, 2006 national railway Kazakhstan Temir Zholy signed an agreement with GE Transportation Systems
- Australia
- Rio Tinto GroupRio Tinto GroupThe Rio Tinto Group is a diversified, British-Australian, multinational mining and resources group with headquarters in London and Melbourne. The company was founded in 1873, when a multinational consortium of investors purchased a mine complex on the Rio Tinto river, in Huelva, Spain from the...
has ordered 51 ES44DCi locomotives for operation on their privately owned rail line, operated by Pilbara Iron. The ES44DCi uses the AC6000CWGE AC6000CWThe AC6000CW is a diesel electric locomotive that is built by GE Transportation Systems. They are all used by major railroads in the United States, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton Iron Ore in Australia...
's longer frame to allow space for a heavy duty cooling system to cope with the hot desert environment that the locomotives operate in. Units 8100-8118 were delivered in a predominantly grey paint scheme, while units 8119-8150 feature additional red lettering and striping.
- Rio Tinto Group
- Brazil
- Carajás Railroad, a subsidiary of Brazilian mining company Vale, ordered 70 5800 hp ES58ACi locomotives. The units were built at GE's Erie plant and delivered in 2009. The prime mover is a GEVO-16. Gauge is
External links
- GE Transportation Systems. Evolution Series locomotive.