The Evolution Series is a line of diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems, designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC traction motors, depending on the customer's preference. All are powered by the GE GEVO engine.[1]
The Evolution Series was named as one of the "10 Locomotives That Changed Railroading" by industry publication Trains Magazine.[2] It was the only locomotive introduced after 1972 to be included in that list.[2]
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Currently, four different Evolution Series models have been produced for the North American market. They are all six axle locomotives and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification) or Co'Co' (UIC classification), except for the ES44C4 which has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement.
The ES40DC (Evolution Series, 4000 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-40CW model in GE's range and, like the former model, has been delivered exclusively to Norfolk Southern Railway. ES44DCs owned by CSX Transportation have also been given this designation after being de-rated to 4,000 hp.
The ES44DC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, DC traction) replaces the Dash 9-44CW model in GE's range. Primary users are BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Canadian National Railway. Pilbara Iron in Australia ordered a lengthened, international version designated ES44DCi. The extra length is used for a larger radiator to increase cooling capacity in the Australian outback.
The ES44AC (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction) replaces the AC4400CW model in GE's range. These locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific Railroad (who refers to these locomotives as the C45ACCTE), BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex, and Canadian Pacific Railway. Iowa Interstate Railroad ordered 12 ES44ACs in April 2008 to be delivered by October 2008 to handle an expected traffic growth of 25%-30%, resulting from new ethanol plants coming on line. Iowa Interstate ordered two additional ES44ACs to be delivered in December 2009.
CSX began receiving an order of 200 ES44ACs (referred to by CSX as the ES44AH) in December 2007. The "H" in ES44AH stands for the heavier-than-standard configuration with "high tractive effort" software. The software is very similar to that used on Union Pacific units. Additionally, these units will be equipped with software to operate in DPU or "Distributed Power Unit Mode" as remote control helpers.
In September 2008, Norfolk Southern purchased 24 ES44ACs numbered 8000-8023, and began receiving the first of these units in October 2008. They are the first new AC locomotives ever purchased by NS. These new locomotives will be used in long haul coal trains. An additional 65 units have been ordered, numbered 8025-8090.
KCS's units are all painted in a Southern Belle paint scheme. The KCS units are being painted in Erie by GE, while some of KCSM's units have been delivered in primer to speed up delivery time.
Cemex took delivery of one ES44AC, number 81, in March 2008.
The ES44C4 (Evolution Series, 4400 HP, AC traction, 4 traction motors) is the newest model in the series. It is similar to the ES44AC, except that it has four traction motors instead of six. The center axle of each truck is unpowered, giving an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. BNSF Railway is the launch customer for this model, ordering an initial batch of 25 units numbered 6600-6624.[3] As of November 2011, BNSF is the only buyer of this model and has 300 units.
A unique feature of these units is that there is a variable traction control system in their computer systems. One of the differences between an ES44AC and an ES44C4 are the air cylinders and linkages on the truck sideframes of the ES44C4; these are part of the traction control system. Every time a variable in grade, traction, or wheel slip occurs, the computer will adjust the pressure in these cylinders to maintain sufficient adhesion, by varying the weight on the drive axles.[4]
The Evolution Series locomotives are visually similar to the Dash 9 and AC4400CW, although small differences are evident. The most significant differences are in the radiator section at the rear of the locomotive; the "wings" at the end of the carbody are larger, as is the entire radiator of the locomotive. As with the AC6000CW the radiators project beyond the end of the hood, and unlike any previous GE locomotive the grills under the radiator are at two different angles. The increase in radiator size is due to the necessity of greater cooling capacity in the locomotive in order to reduce emissions. The other major difference between the Evolution Series locomotives and older models are the vents below the radiators, which are larger than those on previous GE locomotives.[5]
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