GE expands into Chile
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
GE C23EMPs built for Ferrovías de Bolivia, the eastern part of which is operated by Genesee & Wyoming.
GE Transportation will supply Chilean private transport provider FCAB (Ferrocarril de Antofagasta) with five C23EMP diesel-electric locomotives in 2019. The contract, which includes a parts, service and warranty agreement, is GE’s first contract with FCAB.
The C23EMP, a single-cab locomotive, is designed for light-axle-load operations, low clearances and narrow-gauge track. Specially designed for FCAB, they’re equipped with a GE FDL 12-cylinder engine to operate at high altitude, and utilize GE’s Electronic Fuel Injection, which provides fuel efficiency. The locomotives will be assembled at GE Transportation’s facility in Contagem, Brazil.
“The order continues GE Transportation’s growth in South America,” the company, soon to merge with Wabtec, said. “The market is growing and a modernized infrastructure is a key driver in the region’s economic development. GE Transportation has facilitated the growth with strategic projects in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia. Over the past three years, GE Transportation has seen increased locomotive and digital sales of 40% in the region. These locomotives will be used to transport different products for the mining industry in Chile, which represents approximately 50% of Chile’s export trade.”
“We are excited to partner with FCAB and expand our presence across Latin America,” said Marcos Costa, General Manager of GE Transportation for Latin America. “With this agreement, we will help the region improve its rail infrastructure and bring products to market faster and more efficiently.”
“Sustainability, safety and productivity are fundamental within our management approach,” said Mauricio Ortiz, General Manager of FCAB. “Acquisition of these five new GE locomotives, along with other brand new rolling stock, trigger a step change on greenhouse gases emission reduction, improves safety features for our crews and enhances train productivity. We are sure the changes we are making will lead us to provide a more safe and reliable service to our customers in Chile and beyond the border.”
