GE Evolution Series

New BNSF ES44DC #7663 at Commerce, California on February 21, 2005.

The Evolution Series are GE Transportation Systems' new diesel locomotive models that meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The Evolution Series locomotives can be delivered with either AC or DC transmission, depending on the railroad's preference. All are powered by the new GEVO 12-cylinder engine which delivers equivalent power to the older 16-cylinder FDL engine while consuming less fuel and producing fewer emissions.

Models

Currently three different Evolution Series models have been produced. They are all six axle locomotives and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification) or Co'Co' (UIC classification).

ES40DC

The ES40DC (Evolution Series 4000 hp DC transmission) replaces the former Dash 9-40CW model in GE's range and, like the former model, has been delivered exclusively to Norfolk Southern. NS appears to prefer a slightly lower-rated locomotive which uses less fuel while producing the same tractive effort but also reduces wear on the engine components than higher horsepower models used by other railroads.

ES44DC

The ES44DC (Evolution Series 4400 hp DC transmission) replaces the former Dash 9-44CW model in GE's range. Primary users are BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation and Canadian National. Pilbara Iron in Australia is receiving a lengthened, international version designated ES44DCi. The extra length is being used for a longer radiator to increase cooling capacity in the Australian desert.

ES44AC

The ES44AC (Evolution Series 4400 hp AC transmission) replaces the former AC4400CW model in GE's range. These locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific Railroad (who refers to these locomotives as the C45ACCTE) BNSF Railway, Kansas City Southern, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex, and Canadian Pacific. Recently, CSX has placed an order for ES44AC's, to use for coal service.

Identification and spotting features

An ES44DC leads a Dash 9-44CW, showing differences between the two models. Note the larger radiator section, larger cabinet behind the cab, and shorter engine compartment (Enlarge image to see detail).

The Evolution Series locomotives very much resemble the previous Dash 9 and AC series safety cab models in superficial appearance. Both AC and DC models have the large cabinet behind the crew compartment on the left-hand side which on the AC models houses the traction inverters. The previous Dash 9 models had a much smaller cabinet here than the AC models did. It is thus difficult to distinguish the DC and AC versions of the Evolution Series.

Previous designs had substantial space between the exhaust stack and the radiator "wings", and this is lacking on the Evolution Series.

The radiator section is significantly longer than previous designs, and extends forward towards the exhaust stack. As on the AC6000CW, it overhangs at the rear. The sloped underside has two sections with different slope angles, unlike the single previous angle. The front end on top has a raised 'hump' - this area houses the air-to-air heat exchanger and water-to-air heat exchanger fitted to these locomotives to improve emissions.

Overall length appears to be shorter, but is the same, and the fuel tanks are identical. The standard truck is the HiAd, but a Steerable Truck is an option.

Evolution Series Operators

• BNSF Railway:
  • 30 pre-production ES44AC, numbered 5718-5747.
  • 489 production ES44AC units, numbered 5748-5837 & 5844-6238.
  • 295 ES44DC units, numbered 7505-7799. Units 7505-7604 are currently being delivered.
• Canadian National:
  • 35 ES44DC units, numbered 2220-2254.
  • 15 ES44DC's are on order for delivery Fall 2007 as 2255-2269.
  • 40 ES44DC's are on order for delivery between December 2007 & February 2008 as 2270-2309.
• Canadian Pacific Railway:
  • 160 ES44AC units, numbered 8700-8859.
  • 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.
• CSX Transportation:
  • 302 ES44DC units, numbered 5200-5501.
  • 100 ES44DC units, numbered 5502-5602, on order for 2008.
  • 125 ES44AC units, to be numbered 700-824 with options for 25 additional units on order for 2008 as well.
• Ferromex:
  • 100 ES44AC units, numbered 4600-4699.
• Kansas City Southern:
  • 30 units acquired for the new Kansas City Southern de Mexico numbered 4650-4679.
  • All of the units are being painted into a Southern Belle (KCS) scheme. Some are being painted in Erie by GE, while others have been delivered in primer to speed up delivery time. KCSM 4679
  • 80 ES44AC's are on order for late 2007 and early 2008. These units are currently being delivered. Units are to be numbered 4680-4759. GE gave the option for 40 more, 4760-4799, for delivery in late 2008.
• Norfolk Southern Railway:
  • 170 ES40DC units, numbered 7500-7669. 7505-7514 are pre-production units.
  • 5 pre-production ES40DC units, 7500-7504 were delivered as 9912-9916.
  • 50 ES40DC units, numbered 7670-7719, on order for late 2007 - early 2008 delivery. Units are currently being delivered.
• Union Pacific Railroad:
  • 5 pre-production ES44AC, numbered 5695-5699.
  • 501 production ES44AC units, numbered 5248-5347, 5353-5694 & 7600-7799. Units 7600-7799 are currently being delivered.
  • 7605 is painted in GE Demonstrator colors, but is due to be repainted into the standard Building America scheme. UP 7605

Sources: BNSF Roster CSXT Locomotives NSDash9.com The Diesel Shop Utah Rails.net

Export sales

On September 28, 2006, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the national railway of Kazakhstan, signed a purchase agreement with GE Transportation Systems ordering 310 Evolution Series locomotives. The order represents the first export of the locomotive to a railroad company outside of North America. The first ten of these locomotives will be built in GE's Erie, Pennsylvania, plant while the remaining 300 will be built at a new plant in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. Delivery is expected between 2008 and 2012. The locomotives will be built with dual cabs and will become the first AC traction motor locomotives to operate in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

References

• NorthEast Rails. GE AC4400-6000 Diesel Railroad Locomotives. Retrieved on February 23, 2005.
• GE Transportation Systems. Evolution Series locomotive. Retrieved on February 23, 2005.
• GE Evolution Locomotives. Published by Voyageur Press 2007 "[1]"