GE rolls our first IR EVO locomotive
Written by Keith
GE Transportation unveiled the first of 1,000 broad-gauge (1,676mm-gauge) Evolution Series locomotives for Indian Railways (IR) at the company’s plant in Erie, Pa., on June 1.
IR awarded GE was awarded a $US2.5 billion contract in November 2015 to supply 700 4,500-hp (3.36MW) and 300 6,000-hp (4.47MW) six-axle locomotives over an 11-year period through a joint venture. The first 100 locomotives will be built at Erie and shipped either fully assembled or as kits, while the remaining 900 units will be constructed at a new joint venture production facility at Marhoura in the Indian state of Bihar. The 91.5-hectare facility is due to be commissioned later this year.
In addition to production, the joint venture will be responsible for maintaining the fleet for a period of 13 years from the start of production.
