CN orders 75 locomotives, options another 75

CN orders 75 locomotives, options another 75    Canadian National Railway Co. said Wednesday it has placed orders for 75 high-horsepower locomotives from two builders and negotiated options for a further 75 for an undisclosed amount.
   CN said it will take delivery of 50 ES44DC locomotives from GE Transportation Rail, a unit of General Electric Co., and 25 SD70M-2 locomotives from Electro-Motive Diesel, starting in the fourth quarter, with completion by mid-2006.
   The ES44DCs are rated at 4,400 horsepower, and the SD70M-2s at 4,300 horsepower.
   CN said it has also negotiated options, effective through the end of 2008, to acquire a further 25 ES44DC and an additional 50 SD70M-2 locomotives.
   CN said it will use the new locomotives to replace 100 older 3,000-3,600 horsepower road locomotives. At the end of 2004, CN had 1,343 main line road locomotives and 718 yard-switching locomotives.