Repowered Locomotives Riding the Rails

Repowered Locomotives Riding the Rails

Just over a year ago, Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) introduced its 710ECO Repower technology aimed at economically updating older yard and road switchers into more environmentally friendly locomotives. The 710ECO Repower system is based on the proven EMD 710 engine family along with the EM2000 microprocessor based control system — both of which have been successfully installed in over 7000 locomotives.

The EMD 710ECO Repower product line is designed to repower low- to medium-powered locomotives (1491 to 2349 kW) like the EMD GP40 and EMD SD40. It can also be used in passenger locomotives like the EMD  Model F59PHI. To demonstrate the applicability of the technology to “vintage” locomotives, the 710ECO Repower was first installed in a 55-yearold
EMD GP9 originally operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The unit is now being tested by railroads across North America and is achieving or exceeding its design goals in every case.

Amtrak California (Caltrans) plans to convert its entire fleet of 15 EMD F59PHIs into more environmentally friendly locomotives for its passenger service in California, U.S.A. The first F59PHI, originally built in October 2001 and now upgraded into a 710ECO Repower unit, is already in daily revenue service, operating between Sacramento, California, and the San Francisco Bay Area along an intercity passenger train system in northern California called the
Capitol Corridor.

The unit is part of Caltrans’ goal of eventually reducing operating emissions by 50%. The repowered locomotive meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 2 emissions standard two levels cleaner than required for the Model F59PHI. Kansas City Southern (KCS), an international transportation holding company, has recently taken delivery of the first of 27
710ECO Repower locomotives. This will allow KCS to convert a group of tired GP40 and SD40 locomotives into EMD GP22ECO and SD22ECO Repower units, as well as GP22ECO-M mother/slug combinations. They will be used by the Kansas City Southern Railway Co. (KCSR) and Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) systems.

The 710ECO Repower features either the EMD 8-710G3A-T2 eightcylinder, 1603 kW diesel engine, or the EMD 12-710G3B-T2, 12-cylinder, 2348 kW diesel engine — both of which are two-stroke engines that use a single turbocharger and have a displacement of 0.012 m3/cyl. The EM2000 microprocessor control system compiles complete engine diagnostic information and significantly increases all weather adhesion.

The 710ECO Repower locomotives can operate continuously at maximum rated horsepower and the flexible software platform allows engines to be tuned for future emissions compliance.
Designed to reduce emissions by up to 70%, which is better than the U.S. EPA Tier 2 standards, the 710ECO Repower is eligible for both state and federal funding as a clean air project by meeting all relevant criteria in a cost-effective manner.

It also cuts fuel usage up to 25% while maintaining emissions compliance, and reducing lube oil usage by 50%. A fully integrated automatic engine start/stop (AESS) system allows for the automatic shutdown and restart of the locomotive to eliminate unnecessary locomotive idling, reduce noise and save even more fuel and lube oil. The 710ECO Repower also creates parts commonality with the current locomotive fleet, and improves reliability and serviceability
without the need for new tools, fixtures or maintenance procedures

Source: WWW.DIESELGASTURBINE.COM