GE enters UK loco market

FREIGHTLINER Group Ltd announced on November 26 that it had ordered 30 locomotives from GE Transportation Systems of the USA, marking the company's entry into the UK freight market hitherto dominated by long-standing rival EMD. Being developed under Project Genesis, the new JS37ACi will offer lower emissions as well as AC traction and rheostatic braking to make it '10% more efficient than previous locos'.

'We are extremely excited about Project Genesis', said Freightliner Group Chief Executive Eddie Fitzsimons. 'Not only will we improve our carbon footprint but will be able to move more payload per train than ever before'. Engineering Director Tim Sharkerley added 'packaging this technology into a locomotive compliant to the UK clearance gauge and axleweight is a tremendous challenge but we are confident that GE can achieve this.'

Freightliner says that the Genesis fleet 'will being new standards of comfort to freight train drivers', with air-conditioning fitted as standard. Cab design will be undertaken in consultation with unions RMT and ASLEF, the drivers' union having singled out the Class 66 cab environment as being particularly poor in terms of noise, vibration and ride comfort.

Project Genesis JS37ACi in profile