GE, UP herald 5,000th Evolution Series locomotive

Erie, Pa.-based GE Transportation Friday announced the rollout of the 5,000th Evolution Series Locomotive, in production since since 2005.

The company says the Evolution Series is GE’s “most successful global locomotive platform serving railroads in North and South America, Australia, Africa, and Asia.”

The 5,000th unit was delivered to Union Pacific under the road number 7964. The locomotive will be featured in the Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days event that is part of the UP’s 150th anniversary celebration, with UP steam locomotive No. 844 on the point, followed by GE Transportation’s 5,000th Evolution Series diesel electric locomotive.

Dick Hartman, UP director of Public Affairs in Colorado and Wyoming, said, “We are proud to continue to be a part the Frontier Days celebration by pulling such a historic passenger special with the legendary steam locomotive No. 844 along the northern Colorado Front range.”

GE Transportation President and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said, “The delivery of 5,000 Evolution Series Locomotives is a historic milestone for GE Transportation. The Evolution Series Locomotive is GE’s most successful global locomotive platform contributing to sustainable infrastructure growth around the world. The Evolution Series has significantly improved hauling capability while reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We are also proud to share in this historical eventwith the Union Pacific Railroad to celebrate 150 years of rail service excellence in the United States.”

GE Transportation says the Evolution Series reduces emissions by more than approximately 40% compared with previous GE models.

GE Transportation is a division of Fairfield, Conn.-based General Electric Co.