Brazil’s MRS orders 115 GE AC44i locomotives

Calling it the “largest locomotive purchase agreement in the history of Brazil,” Brazilian rail operator MRS Logistica S.A. and GE Transportation announced Thursday plans to deliver 115 AC44i locomotives to MRS. The contract includes an option for 100 additional locomotives.

Both companies made the announcement Thursday at InnoTrans 2010 in Berlin.

Erie, Pa.-based GE Transportation will manufacture the locomotives at the company’s plant in Contagem, Brazil. GE’s plant in Grove City, Pa., will supply key components, including the 12-cylinder FDL diesel engine.

The locomotives will be delivered between 2011 and 2015, the companies said. Ninety units are scheduled for delivery in 2011, including 30 units covered under a previous contract and 60 as part of the newly signed agreement.  GE will provide the remaining 55 locomotives between 2012 and 2015.  GE says the new locomotives generate up to 15% fewer greenhouse gas emissions while lowering operating costs by approximately 15%. Three AC44i locomotives generate enough tractive effort to replace four older generation locomotives, GE claims.

“GE’s locomotives will be utilized to meet the growing demand for locomotive power in light of dynamic infrastructure development in the years ahead,” said MRS Development Director Henrique Ache Pillar. “We are looking forward to increasing our transportation capacity.”
 
“GE is a global locomotive manufacturer who partners with railroad customers around the world,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, president and CEO of GE Transportation. “We are pleased to serve our customer MRS by providing advanced AC technology that requires less maintenance, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers emissions.”