GE rolls out first Evolution Series locomotive for Indian Railways

THE first of 1000 1676mm-gauge Evolution Series locomotives for Indian Railways (IR) was unveiled at the company’s plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 1.

GE was awarded a $US 2.5bn contract in November 2015 to supply 700 3.36MW and 300 4.47MW six-axle locomotives over an 11-year period through a joint venture with IR.

The first 100 locomotives will be built at Erie and shipped either fully assembled or as kits, while the remaining 900 units will be constructed at a new joint venture production facility at Marhoura in the Indian state of Bihar. The 91.5-hectare facility is due to be commissioned later this year.

In addition to production, the joint venture will be responsible for maintaining the fleet for a period of 13 years from the start of production.