Electro-motive Re-enters Passenger Locomotive Market With Contract to Supply Los Angeles Area With First New Tier 4 Passenger Locomotives in North America
May 31, 2013 — LAGRANGE, Ill. – Caterpillar Inc.’s Rail Division, which includes Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., (EMD) a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corporation, announced today it has signed an agreement with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) to supply up to 20 EMD F125 low-emission Spirit series passenger locomotives for operation on Metrolink, the commuter rail service provider in Southern California. With this announcement, Metrolink becomes the first passenger railroad to purchase new transit locomotives designed to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standards in North America. Delivery will begin in 2015.
The EMD Spirit is compliant with the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act’s (PRIIA) 305-005 Next Generation locomotive specifications, and meets or exceeds all of Metrolink’s requirements for procuring highly-reliable, fuel-efficient locomotives for passenger rail service. The Spirit is capable of operating at speeds of up to 125 mph, enabling it to satisfy potential increased speed requirements. In addition, the locomotives reduce emissions over the current Tier 0 fleet by more than 85 percent, per the U.S. EPA’s Tier 4 emissions standards for new diesel locomotives.
EMD’s 4,700 horsepower Spirit locomotive consists of a streamlined Vossloh Rail Vehicles (VRV) designed monocoque (or single shell) carbody with one control cab equipped with Crash Energy Management; a turbocharged, 20-cyclinder; 4-stroke Cat® C-175 20 diesel engine; an AC traction propulsion system; VRV high-speed running gear; inverter controlled head end power and all the accessories necessary for single and multiple unit operation suitable for commuter and intercity service. EMD plans to assemble the locomotives at its Muncie facility in Indiana.
“We are delighted to be working with Metrolink, a visionary agency, and now a leader in the pursuit of new, cleaner operating passenger locomotives. EMD is pleased to provide Metrolink with the first passenger locomotives designed to meet Tier 4 emissions standards, marking EMD’s re-entry into the passenger rail business. We are proud to say we are back, and excited to be on the forefront of passenger rail technology,” said Billy Ainsworth, President and CEO of Progress Rail Services and Electro-Motive Diesel. “From EMD’s first record setting Zephyr, topping 112 mph in 1934, to our latest F125 Spirit capable of speeds up to 125 mph, we will rely on the combined strengths of Caterpillar’s Rail Division including EMD and Progress Rail to mark a new era of progress in the passenger rail market.”
EMD’s high-horsepower Spirit locomotive addresses Metrolink’s future performance needs and anticipated ridership growth. The fuel-efficient locomotive will be used with Metrolink’s new Rotem Bi-Level passenger cars – also equipped with Crash Energy Management – which will yield one of the highest levels of commuter rail passenger safety, crew safety and passenger comfort in the country.
“We are very excited to have reached this critical milestone upgrade our locomotive fleet with the latest state-of-the-art low emission technology,” said Mike DePallo, Chief Executive Officer of Metrolink. “Metrolink has consistently stayed on the front end of trends as it relates to both environmental and safety technologies, and we are proud to state that this acquisition of Tier 4 locomotives puts Metrolink in a leadership position among commuter rail systems across the country when it comes to sustainable operations.”
The F125 Spirit includes an SCR-only after-treatment system to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standards. Equipped with an electronic fuel injection system, a Cat® C175 series diesel engine provides exceptional train acceleration advantages, compared to other less powerful locomotive products or older technologies, while maintaining Tier 4 emissions performance.
Caterpillar, Progress Rail and EMD have taken an enterprise approach to identify the optimal technology that can be applied to locomotives to achieve Tier 4 emissions standards. With the companies’ experience as a worldwide leader in locomotive technologies, EMD will offer Metrolink innovative solutions benefiting fleet performance and satisfying the need for increased capacity. Caterpillar, Progress Rail and EMD are the only OEMs to have designed and sold new locomotives designed to meet Tier 4 emissions standards.
As part of the Spirit locomotive procurement and its commitment to clean air, Metrolink will donate up to five F-59 locomotives for alternative fuels research and development programs in hopes of realizing emissions-free commuter rail operations in the future.
About Electro-Motive Diesel:
Founded in 1922, Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corp., a Caterpillar company, is an original equipment manufacturer of diesel-electric locomotives. Headquartered in LaGrange, Illinois, with additional manufacturing facilities and business offices around the world, EMD designs, manufactures and sells diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications and has sold its products in more than 70 countries worldwide. EMD is the only diesel-electric locomotive manufacturer to have produced more than 72,500 engines and has the largest installed base in both North America and worldwide. In addition to its manufacturing activities, EMD has an extensive aftermarket business offering customers replacement parts, maintenance solutions, and a range of value-added services. EMD is also a global provider of diesel engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land-based oil well drilling rigs, and stationary power generation. Additional information may be found at www.emdiesels.com.
About Caterpillar:
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2012 sales and revenues of $65.875 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com.
Contacts:
Progress Rail, Amy Everett, Corporate Communications Manager, +1 800-476-8769