Introducing the NS GP33ECO

Norfolk Southern unveiled on Sept. 1, 2015 its new GP33ECO switcher locomotive during ceremonies at Inman Yard in Atlanta, Ga.

Designed and constructed at the railroad’s Juniata locomotive shops, the GP33ECO will see yard service as the mother unit in a mother-slug set. So far, 10 have been built. They will be deployed in Atlanta; 65% of their cost has been subsidized by a CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) Improvement Program grant administered through various federal and state agencies, among them the Federal Highway Administration, the Georgia Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Division and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Based on an EMD GP50, the four-axle, 3,000-hp GP33ECO uses an EPA Tier 3-compliant 12N-710G3BT3 (“710 ECO Kit”) prime-mover from Electro-Motive Diesel, D87 traction motors (which offer 10% higher tractive effort than a D77), new radiators with two-speed fans, electrical cabinets with EMD’s EM 2000 microprocessor, an AR15 main traction alternator (retained from the GP50) and a CA6 companion alternator (a replacement for the D 18). NS’s Admiral Cab, with its angled windshield, has been fitted to the carbody. The unit’s flared radiators “are similar to those of an SD70,” according to NS Mechanical Engineer-Locomotive Design Mark Duve.

The GP33ECO mother unit is mated to a ballasted slug unit equipped with four d.c. traction motors and two EMD electrical cabinets. “Unlike other slugs, this one goes through transition and does not cut out at 20 mph,” said Duve. “The combination gets very close to Tier 4, compared to two switcher locomotives operating as a multiple unit. It runs at a higher, more efficient throttle notch setting, notches 4 through 6. We estimate its tractive effort to be equivalent to that of a new GP59.”

Use of these locomotives “will help Atlanta achieve federal clean air standards and will produce significant, measurable emissions reductions and fuel savings,” NS said. “Additional CMAQ grants will lead to future placement of these locomotives at our rail yards at Macon and Rome, Ga., and at Chicago.” Fifteen mother units and three slugs are slated for Chicago; one of these units will be on display at Railway Interchange 2015 in Minneapolis.

The GP33ECO features a stylistic green paint scheme with a Georgia-shaped icon and the slogan “Working Together for a Cleaner State.”

NS calculates that the 10 units, dubbed “Eco units,” will account for 6.6 fewer tons of PM (particulate matter) and 155 fewer tons of NOx (nitrogen oxides). “In addition to lower emissions and fuel savings, benefits include operating efficiencies, as each Eco unit can replace two older, less-efficient locomotives,” said NS Chief Operating Officer Mark Manion. “Over the past five years, we have significantly lowered greenhouse gas emissions of our locomotive fleet, achieving an 8.5% reduction per revenue ton-mile. Rollout of the Eco units demonstrates Norfolk Southern’s continuing commitment to industry leadership in sustainability best practices and environmental partnerships. Our transportation operations at Atlanta are central to serving customers throughout our network and beyond. We consider it a corporate responsibility to mitigate the environmental impacts of our rail operations, and we thank the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Division, the city of Atlanta and other cities and customers all along our lines that partner with us to achieve this goal.”