Jacksonville,Fla.-based Florida Florida East Coast Railway, LLC (FEC) announced Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 it will acquire 24 new ES44C4 locomotives from Erie-Pa.-based GE Transportation.
The new locomotives will be used in thru-freight, heavy haul service on the regional railway's 351-mile mainline route between hugging the Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and Miami.
"These locomotives will provide the fuel efficient power we need to support the current operations and future growth of the railroad," said FEC Senior Vice President of Mechanical, Engineering and Purchasing Fran Chinnici.
The ES44C4 locomotive, part of GE's Evolution® Series, is designed to meet US EPA Tier 3 emissions requirements using advanced engine technology that lowers fuel consumption and operating costs. These locomotives provide the benefits while controlling NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions.
"We're excited to have our Evolution Series locomotives join FEC's fleet. This locomotive model is the most fuel-efficient locomotive in the North American heavy-haul market today," said GE Transportation Vice President of Global Sales Dave Tucker.
GE Transportation is a subsidiary of Fairfield, Conn.-based General Electric Co. FEC is owned by New York-based private equity firm Fortress Investment Group.