Background

ERIE, Pa.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Dec. 23, 2002—Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman and the General Electric Company announced today that GE Transportation Systems has launched the "GE Evolution Series," a full line of more fuel-efficient locomotives that meets the EPA's emissions standards, two years ahead of schedule.

"We're here for an important purpose - the launch of the cleanest diesel-powered locomotive ever made - a real technological and environmental accomplishment of which GE should be proud," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "Our railroads are an important and efficient means of transportation and with the help of industry leaders, such as GE, it can also become one of the cleanest as well."

GETS invested more than $200 million and six years of research and development into its new locomotive development program, said John Krenicki, Jr., President and CEO of GE Transportation Systems. The Evolution Series' 4,400-horsepower, 12-cylinder GEVO diesel engine reduces emissions 40 percent from current locomotives and features a platform that can be upgraded to meet EPA regulations beyond 2005, he said.

"Six years ago, we pulled together a team of scientists, engineers and customers to explore how we could build the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly diesel electric locomotive. We wanted to not only meet EPA standards, but exceed them," said Krenicki. "The Evolution Series locomotive gives our customers a product that will continue to meet emissions regulations and save them fuel over the life of the locomotive. This is a locomotive that will evolve and serve them well over the next two decades.

GE Transportation Systems will have the new Evolution Series locomotive ready for customers beginning in 2003, two full years before they must comply with the newest regulations, he said. GETS' technology investment in the emissions program has already yielded 25 U.S. patents, 13 patents pending and 18 invention disclosures. The Evolution Series' new GEVO 12-cylinder engine produces the same horsepower as a 16-cylinder engine, but produces lower emissions and is engineered to be more efficient.

Joining Whitman at Monday's unveiling were several dignitaries, including U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) and Stephen D. Ramsey, Vice President of GE Corporate Environmental Programs.

"Like the rest of the nation, the people of Pennsylvania care for the environment," English said. "We're proud to have developed this new, environmentally friendly locomotive right here in northwestern Pennsylvania."

"GE is a world leader in putting technology to work to meet customer needs while addressing environmental concerns," said Stephen D. Ramsey, GE Vice President for Corporate Environmental Programs. "Today we add the world's cleanest locomotive to an array of GE technologies and products that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

GE Transportation Systems has won the majority of new locomotive orders over the past three years, while totaling more than $1 billion in global services each year. Thirteen thousand (13,000) GE locomotives are operated worldwide, with six thousand five hundred (6,500) under maintenance service contracts.

Overview

On 01 October 2003, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), took delivery of three GEVO locomotives, #5720, #5722, and #5723, in Chicago. The three locomotives were on their way to Montana for testing on grain trains and other heavy tonnage trains in mountain territory, and were part of a 30-unit GEVO locomotive set the BNSF has leased for testing. The units will be placed within the BNSF locomotive roster in spots #5718 through #5747.

With the new BNSF locomotives being aesthetically, as well as technologically, different from the myriad of GE Dash 9's on the BNSF locomotive roster, Trainman_45 decided to kitbash a model of a new BNSF GEVO locomotive.

Below in the gallery, one can see how Trainman_45 created his HO scale model.

Gallery

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Trainman_45 started off by making cuts in one of Athearn's R-T-R BNSF AC4400CW (140-7970 or 140-7971) HO scale models in order to make room for the differently configured radiator section of the BNSF GEVO locomotives.

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With the initial cuts completed, Trainman_45 installed sheet styrene pieces to begin laying the groundwork for the scratch-built GEVO radiator section.

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With the base styrene foundation in place, Trainman_45 begins adding etched brass parts, as well as additional styrene to the heavily modified, and custom built radiator section.

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From this angle, Trainman_45's patience and hard work are beginning to pay - the unit is beginning to look like a BNSF GEVO locomotive.

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Additional details are being added to the modified radiator section of the BNSF GEVO model.

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The reworked GEVO cab and radiator section are showcased in this photo.

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Here is a photo of the completed HO scale model, complete with reworked cab, radiator section, full Premium Heritage paint, and light weathering.

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Here is another photo of the completed HO scale model. This time showing off the heavily modified GEVO-specific radiator section.

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Here is a photo of the completed HO scale model taken outside.

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A close-up outdoor photo of the completed HO scale model's heavily modified radiator section.

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A photo of the completed HO scale model earning her keep hauling freight on Trainman_45's layout.

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BNSF GEVO, #5724, leads a priority UPS/LTL intermodal train from South Seattle, WA to Chicago, IL (Cicero Yard), past the Forest Hills Golf Course on the BNSF Aurora Subdivision. The photo was taken by Thomas John on 01 May 2004, and is hosted by RailPictures.net.

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BNSF GEVO, #5724, leads a grain train past the east end of the yard in Warterloo, IA. The photo was taken by Richard S. Marsh on 09 March 2004, and is hosted by RailPictures.net.