EMD delivers locomotives to Akiem
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefLa Grange, Ill.-based Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) on Monday said it has delivered seven Class 77 locomotives to Akiem, the leasing subsidiary of SNCF Geodis. Akiem will lease these locomotives to the cargo operating company Voies Ferrées Locales et Industrielles (VFLI). This contract was made possible through a financing structure organized by the Bank of America, EMD said.
SNCF Geodis will use the locomotives primarily for heavy cargo operations in northern France.
In addition, Electro-Motive Diesel Services International (EMSI), the after-sales service organization of EMD, and Akiem signed a contract for maintenance of the new locomotives. EMSI will also maintain other EMD locomotives obtained by Akiem through earlier mergers.
EMD said the Class 77, or JT42CWRM-100, “is a 3.300 brake horsepower, DC locomotive with French, German, and Belgium homologation and certification. It offers an enhanced gear case, which increases the tractive effort and makes the locomotive a good choice for operating heavy trains. The Class 77 locomotive is also equipped with EMD’s Euro IIIA emissions-compliant 12-710 engine, FIRE™ display system, and EM2000 control system.”
“EMD is proud that Akiem has selected the Class 77 locomotive to expand its fleet. We are confident that Akiem and VFLI will be very pleased with the performance of these locomotives and we look forward to a long-term relationship between our companies,’ said Glen Lehmann, chief marketing officer for EMD’s international operations.
Akiem CEO Fabien Rochefort said, “I consider these two contracts with EMD and EMSI as a new step into Akiem’s developments. This demonstrates to the market the ability and the commitment of Akiem to develop specific offers as required by its customers.”
EMD is a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corp.
