CN to acquire 200 new locomotives

Canadian National Railway (CN) has agreed to purchase 200 Tier 4 and Tier 3 locomotives from GE Transportation over the next three years, the Class I railroad said in a statement in late December.    Canadian National Railway (CN) will acquire 200 new locomotives from GE Transportation over the next three years to accommodate future growth opportunities and drive operational efficiency across its system, the Class I railroad said in a statement.
   The order includes Tier 3 and Tier 4 certified Evolution Series locomotives equipped with GE Transportation’s GoLINC Platform, Trip Optimizer System and Distributed Power LOCOTROL eXpanded Architecture to “maximize train effectiveness and efficiency and optimize power distribution, train handling, brake control and fuel utilization,” said CN.
   “We are bullish on the North American economy and on our ability to compete and win new business with our superior service model,” said Luc Jobin, CN president and chief executive officer. “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. The first units are expected to be delivered in 2018 and the remaining locomotives delivered in 2019 and 2020. CN’s order is the largest among class I railways since 2014, according to the railway. 
   “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, chief executive officer of GE Transportation. “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.”
   American Shipper last reported CN purchasing 161 locomotives in 2012. The railway announced after its third quarter results that it would raise its investments in its capital program and hire 600 additional employees.   
   “To meet the needs of an expanding North American economy and new growth opportunities, we are increasing investments in our infrastructure and equipment by C$100 million, for a total capital program of C$2.7 billion in 2017,” said Jobin in October. “During the third quarter, and continuing through the rest of the year, we’ve been hiring across our network, particularly in Western Canada, as we remain focused on delivering superior service to our customers.”