USA: Progress Rail has completed initial testing of a EMD24B locomotive produced from remanufactured components, and has begun the process of obtaining Tier 4 emissions certification. The 2000 hp locomotive will also undergo 3 000 h of in-service testing with Anacostia Rail Holdings' Pacific Harbor Line, which operates at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
The EMD24B is based on the underframe and cab of a pre-1973 GP-40 locomotive, with remanufactured 'EMD-style' components and a Caterpillar 3512C HD engine with aftertreatment.
The EMD24B project involved various teams within the company, including Progress Rail’s repower engineering team, the company’s site at Patterson in Georgia and Brazilian subsidiary Zeit which provided the control system.
'We are eager to test the EMD24B locomotive, which employs the latest technology and represents a very important step toward meeting the stringent clean-air standards of the California Air Resources Board and the EPA', said Pacific Harbor Line, Inc President Otis Cliatt II on February 22. 'PHL will offer a challenging range of speed, direction and tonnage associated with a busy terminal.'
'In 2010, PHL took part in one of our largest repower projects to date by modernising an existing locomotive fleet with cleaner burning engines', said Progress Rail’s Chief Executive Officer and Caterpillar Senior Vice-President Billy Ainsworth. 'Today, we’re pleased to continue that legacy of collaborating for cleaner air, through our latest testing efforts for our Tier 4 ready switcher locomotive. The EMD24B demonstrates our commitment to customers through its reliability and sustainability, while emphasising Caterpillar’s broad engine expertise, with a strong focus on lowering emissions, maintaining fuel efficiency and safety.'
