The GE PowerHaul is a class of mainline diesel-electric locomotives designed by General Electric. Thirty locomotives were ordered by Freightliner in 2007; the first locomotive was completed in July 2009 at GE's Erie, Pennsylvania, plant.

GE PowerHaul
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Specifications
LengthPH37ACmi : 21.710 m (71 ft 2.7 in)[1]
PH 37ACi : 21.7 m (71 ft 2.3 in)[2]
PH37ACmai :
WidthPH37ACmi : 2.642 m (8 ft 8.02 in)[1]
PH 37ACi : 2.9 m (9 ft 6.17 in)[2]
PH37ACmai :
HeightPH37ACmi : 3.917 m (12 ft 10.21 in)[1]
PH 37ACi : 4.3 m (14 ft 1.29 in)[2]
PH37ACmai :
Loco weightPH37ACmi : 129 t (127 long tons; 142 short tons)
PH 37ACi (L620 axle class): 120 to 126 t (118 to 124 long tons; 132 to 139 short tons)
PH 37Aci (L621 axle class): 126–132 t (124–130 long tons; 139–146 short tons)
PH37ACmai :
Fuel capacityPH37ACmi : 6,000 L (1,300 imp gal; 1,600 US gal)
PH 37ACi : 9,000 L (2,000 imp gal; 2,400 US gal)
PH37ACmai :
Prime moverGE PowerHaul P616 2,750 kW (3,700 hp) @ 1500rpm
Engine typeV16 engine, four stroke
Loco brakeDynamic
Performance figures
Tractive effortStarting :
PH37ACmi : 534 kN (120,000 lbf)
PH 37ACi : 450 kN (100,000 lbf) or 544 kN (122,000 lbf)
PH37ACmai :
Sources:[3] except where noted

The Turkish state owned rolling stock manufacturer Tülomsaş has a manufacturing agreement with GE to produce PowerHaul locomotives for European, African and Middle-Eastern markets. The Tülomsaş plant produced its first PowerHaul locomotive in February 2011. In November 2011 Australian engineering firm UGL Rail announced it was to develop a narrow gauge version of the class in association with GE.

Three main subclasses exist: PH37ACmi for UK railways, PH37ACi a version for mainland Europe and elsewhere built to UIC 505-1 vehicle gauge, and PH37ACmai a version for 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge lines.

Versions of the locomotive include the Class 70 used by Freightliner (UK), the DE36000 of the Turkish State Railways and the Korail Class 7600 (South Korea).

History and design

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Freightliner 70014 at North Wingfield in September 2012
 
Colas Rail 70805 at Westbury in April 2014
 
Operail Dr20 29010 (PH37ACai) at Pori in November 2020

The PowerHaul Class are a 6 axle Co-Co design for heavy mainline freight operations - the design originated in a collaboration between Freightliner who required a more powerful freight locomotive, and General Electric who needed a launch customer for its entry into the European rolling stock market.[4] The locomotives are the first GE locomotives manufactured for the European market since the Blue Tiger locomotive built in collaboration with AdTranz.[5]

To fit within European and UK mass and loading gauge restrictions GE used a relatively high revving engine (1500rpm),[note 1] giving a 20% increase in power-weight ratio. The engine uses the same design of transmission system as used in GE's North American AC drive locomotives: an AC alternator, with AC output rectified to an intermediate DC line, with separate inverters and inverter control for each traction motor,[6] auxiliary power is also supplied by the DC link, using electronic inverter based load control.[4] The PM37ACmi design uses a General Electric GTA series alternator, and 5GEB30 axle hung traction motors.[1]

The cab includes heating, air conditioning, and acoustic insulation; the driving controls are 'dial-less' - information is displayed using electronic panel displays. The cab design includes consideration for GSM-R and European Rail Traffic Management System.[4] One innovative feature of the design was the use of electrical power generated when using dynamic braking to supply auxiliary power - resulting in increase in overall efficiency.[1]

Freightliner placed an order for 30 units (originally designated JS37ACi) in November 2007.[7] The first two locomotives manufactured were for Freightliner in the United Kingdom, construction began in May 2009 in Erie, with much of the UK compatibility testing taking place in the US before shipping to the UK. Two locomotives were delivered to the UK in October 2009, and received permission for service use by December 2009.[4]

In December 2008 GE Transportation reached a manufacturing agreement with Tülomsas for the production of future PowerHaul locomotives for Eurasian, and African markets;[8][9] the initial contract was reported to be for production of 50 units, 30 for GE and 20 for TCDD.[10] In February 2011 Tülomsas completed the assembly of its first PowerHaul from a kit manufactured at GE's Erie plant;[11][12] the locomotive, built to a UK loading gauge was shipped to the United Kingdom in October 2012.[13]

In April 2012 GE announced that it was to use a PowerHaul locomotive to test its "Tempo" European Rail Traffic Management System system (Level 1 & 2). The locomotive is to be a Tülomsas built unit operated by an unnamed open access operator in Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland, with operations starting 2013.[14] In September 2012 GE announced that freight operator Heavy Haul Power International (HHPI) would be the recipient of two to six locomotives, which would be used to obtain homologation certification.[15]

Engine

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PowerHaul locomotives use a PowerHaul P616 diesel engine; based on the Jenbacher J616 gas engine.[note 2] The 16 cylinder 4 stroke engine uses the Miller cycle, which GE claims increases fuel efficiency over conventional 4 stroke engines, as well as reducing emissions. Rated power is 3,700 hp (2,800 kW) with an engine speed of 1500rpm; the engine meets EU stage IIIa emission standards.[5][16]

General Electric claims that the engine is more fuel efficient than contemporary competitors,[note 3] consuming 192g per kilowatt hour at full power output. EU IIIb emission standards are said to be achievable using exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust gas after-treatment by diesel oxidation catalyst.[17]

Sub-types

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PH37ACmi

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The subtype PH37ACmi was originally built for Freightliner with the TOPS designation given Class 70. The design is built to vehicle gauge defined by drawing 'UK L-A1-1806',[note 4][3] with a mass of 129 tonnes, Route Availability of RA7, fuel tank capacity of 6,000 L (1,300 imp gal; 1,600 US gal) and starting tractive effort of 544 kN (122,000 lbf).[3] The locomotives have a hood unit design, with two cabs.

PH37ACi

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A subtype PH37Aci has been designed to be built to fit within the UIC 505-1 vehicle gauge.[19] Unlike the original version built for the UK loading gauge the design has a full width body.[15] There are two versions of the design, one with a 20 t (19.7 long tons; 22.0 short tons) axle load and 450 kN (100,000 lbf) starting tractive effort intended for European railways, and a 21 t (20.7 long tons; 23.1 short tons) axleload version with more powerful traction motors and starting tractive effort of 544 kN (122,000 lbf). The versions have axleload class L620 and L621 as defined by European Standard EN 15528 (2008).[note 5][3][19]

Unlike PH37ACmi the locomotives are expected to be built to a cowl unit external design, with dimensions of 21.7 m (71 ft 2.3 in) long, width 2.9 m (9 ft 6.17 in), and height 4.3 m (14 ft 1.29 in). The locomotives retain a twin cab design. Fuel tank capacity is 9,000 L (2,000 imp gal; 2,400 US gal), with 3,490 hp (2,600 kW) available for traction, and a braking force of 270 kN (61,000 lbf) maximum.[19] The European version is expected to be re-designed to meet 'European Driver Desk' recommendations, and UIC 612 standards, with a central driving position.[20] The L620 version is expected to have a redesigned bogie.[6] The track gauge for the PH37ACi can be from 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) to 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in).[3]

Kits for the new design were expected to be shipped to Tülomsaş (Turkey) in early 2012.[16] A Tulomsas assembled locomotive in Heavy Haul International branding was exhibited at Innotrans trade fair in September 2012.[21]

European freight operator Heavy Haul Power International took a delivery of pilot production 9 Powerhaul locomotives assembled at Tulomsas.[15] They were stored in Cottbus, Germany for several years as their buyer had no use for them. In 2020 stored PH37ACai locomotives were returned to Turkey for conversion from 1435 mm gauge to 1524 mm gauge for operations in Finland. They were also equipped with Finnish JKV train protection system and Russian standard SA3 couplers. Locomotives were delivered for Estonian operator Operail in 2020 for traffic in Finland.[22] Finnish locomotive registry designation for PH37ACai is Dr20 (D = diesel, r = raskas (heavy), type 20).[23] Units have been used for goods traffic from Russia to Finland.

PH37ACmai

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In November 2011 GE and UGL Rail announced that it would build two prototype UGL Rail PH37ACmai 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge PowerHaul locomotives. They were intended for use on the narrow gauge networks in Queensland and Western Australia. GE supplied the power and traction package, with UGL constructing the locomotive frame, with some components sourced from India.[24][25] The first of three prototypes was nearing completion at its Broadmeadow factory in January 2014.[26] They were sold to Pacific National in 2016 for use in Queensland.[27][28]

Production and operators

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Type Operator Operator class Number Date Notes
PH37ACmi Freightliner Class 70/0 19 2007 (order) 30 units ordered via Lloyds TSB Leasing for Freightliner. Initial 20 of ordered delivered to Freightliner. One unit (70 012) damaged in unloading and returned to the United States.
PH37ACmi TCDD / Colas Rail TCDD DE37000[29] / BR Class 70/8 1 2011 (built) Assembled in Turkey by Tülomsaş as demonstrator. Initially numbered as TCDD 37001. Shipped to UK in 2012, renumbered 70 099. Acquired by Colas in 2013, renumbered 70 801.
PH37ACmi Colas Rail Class 70/8 10 2013 (order) Colas Rail order for 10 units made in 2013.[30] Order made up from remainder of 2007 order of 30 for Lloyds leasing was taken up by Colas in 2013. First Colas unit 70 801 is former TCDD demonstrator.
PH37ACmi Colas Rail Class 70/8 7 2015 (order) Colas Rail order for 7 units made in 2015.
PH37ACai North Rail (formerly Operail Finland) Dr20 9 2012 (launch) Converted to 1524 mm gauge and ATP-VR/RHK installed. Launch customer Heavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI), for European mainland. Unveiled at Innotrans 2012. Initially used for European certification in Germany, and Benelux.[15]
PH37ACi TCDD TCDD DE 36000 20 2013 (order) 20 units ordered for Turkish State Railways (TCDD) as part of an order of 50 to be assembled by Tulomsas.[10][31] Production of locomotives during 2014-.
PH37ACi 30 2013 (order) Units to be assembled for unspecified "'regional export markets' in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.[31]
PH37ACi Korail Korail Class 7600 25 2014 Locomotives ordered by Korail in 2011 and being built in association with Hyundai Rotem for use on passenger and freight services from 2014.[32] Operating speed up to 150 km/h.[15] see also 한국철도공사 7600호대 디젤 기관차 (Korail Class 7600)
PH37ACmai Pacific National PH 3 2014 3 prototype 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) demonstrators built by UGL Rail, Australia[26]
PH37ACi Körfez Ulaştırma 5 2019 Assembled by Tülomsaş[33][34]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The contemporary GEVO V12 used in its North American GE Evolution Series operates at a maximum 1050rpm, the EMD 710 at a maximum 900rpm.[4]
  2. ^ GE Energy acquired the Austrian Jenbacher company in 2003, initially the engine was designed for stationery power applications.[16]
  3. ^ Compared to CAT C175, MTU 4000 and EMD 710 series engines
  4. ^ "UK L-A1-1806" refers to a locomotive gauge drawing produced by the BR CM&EE Dept. (British Rail Chief Mechanical and Electrical Engineer's Department) in 1970 version L-A1-1806. Superseded within Railway Group Standard GE/RT8073.[18]
  5. ^ EN 25528:2008 Railway applications - Line categories for managing the interface between load limits of vehicles and infrastructure, Appendix K

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Freightliner PowerHaul loco design on show", www.railwaygazette.com, Railway Gazette International, 24 September 2008
  2. ^ a b c Gromacki 2010, 0m55s - 1m24s.
  3. ^ a b c d e PowerHaul Series specifications, GE Transportation
  4. ^ a b c d e David Shires (May 2011), "High powered: a transatlantic partnership", The Rail Engineer (79): 32–34
  5. ^ a b "PowerHaul brings Evolution technology to Europe", www.railwaygazette.com, Railway Gazette International, 26 November 2009, archived from the original on 1 December 2009, retrieved 10 January 2012
  6. ^ a b Gromacki 2010, 6m00s - 6m50s
  7. ^ Sources:
  8. ^ "Tülomsas to assemble GE PowerHaul locomotives", www.railwaygazette.com, Railway Gazette International, 31 December 2008
  9. ^ "GE Transportation and Tülomsaş Combine Expertise To Supply Markets with GE's PowerHaul™ Series Locomotives", www.genewscenter.com, General Electric, 30 December 2008, archived from the original on 2012-03-07
  10. ^ a b Sources:
  11. ^ "Tülomsas rolls out Turkish PowerHaul", www.railwaygazette.com, Railway Gazette International, 1 March 2011
  12. ^ "TÜLOMSAŞ ve GE işbirliğiyle üretilen ilk PowerHaul ® lokomotif görücüye çıktı". www.tulomsas.com (Press release) (in Turkish). 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Turkish PowerHaul order expected as demonstrator arrives in UK", www.railwaygazette.com, 18 October 2012
  14. ^ "GE Transportation enters the ERTMS market". www.railwaygazette.com. Railway Gazette International. 25 April 2012.
  15. ^ a b c d e "European-profile PowerHaul locomotive to be unveiled at InnoTrans", www.railwaygazette.com, 10 September 2012
  16. ^ a b c "Eco-minded Powerhaul leads the way into global markets", www.getransportation.com, General Electric, 1 February 2011, archived from the original on 21 January 2012
  17. ^ Gromacki 2010, 2m10s - 3m0s
  18. ^ Sources:
  19. ^ a b c Gromacki 2010, 0m50s - 2m10s
  20. ^ Gromacki 2010, 4m10s - 4m30s
  21. ^ Vantuonon, William C. (20 September 2012), "GE's continental-European PowerHaul debuts at InnoTrans", www.railwayage.com
  22. ^ "PowerHaul locos arrive in Finland as Operail expands outside Estonia", www.railwaygazette.com, 29 June 2020
  23. ^ Kimmo Lumirae; Kimmo Pyrhönen (2020). "Operail Finland ja Dr20". Resiina (in Finnish). Vol. 2020, no. 3. pp. 4–9.
  24. ^ UGL and GE announce narrow-gauge PowerHaul Railway Gazette International 22 November 2011
  25. ^ UGL and GE jointly launch new narrow-gauge locomotive in Australia Railway Technology 24 November 2011
  26. ^ a b "The UGL/GE Powerhaul Prototype Locomotives" Railway Digest January 2014 pages 40-41
  27. ^ MotivePower Roundup Motive Power issue 106 July 2016 page 74
  28. ^ UGL secures first Australian PowerHaul order International Railway Journal July 2016 page 18
  29. ^ "Kurumsal Haberler > ESKİŞEHİR EĞİTİM MERKEZİ MÜDÜRLÜĞÜNDE YENİ EĞİTİMLER", kurumsal.tcdd.gov.tr (in Turkish), archived from the original on 2011-05-03, TÜLOMSAŞ ve Amerikan GE Firması işbirliği ile üretilen DE37000 tipi lokomotifler hakkındaki kurs programı 29 Mart 2011 tarihinde açıldı
  30. ^ "Colas Rail orders 10 GE Transportation PowerHaul locomotives", www.railwaygazette.com, 21 Nov 2013, archived from the original on 24 September 2015, retrieved 19 January 2014
  31. ^ a b "Turkish PowerHaul order confirmed". Railway Gazette International. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  32. ^ "First Korean PowerHaul locomotive on test". Railway Gazette International. 23 January 2014.
  33. ^ "LIVE InnoTrans 2018 Day 2". International Railway Journal. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  34. ^ Wabtec: Five Locomotives for Turkey Railway Age 26 July 2019

Sources

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