ERIE, Pa. (April 24, 2006) -- GE -- Transportation has supplied its Locotrol Distributed Power train control system and Electronic Brake to help Spoornet in South Africa increase capacity for the heavy-haul train operations on its Iron Ore export rail line.
GE is providing service and support of the radio-based distributed power system, which will help Spoornet increase train length from 216 wagons to 342 wagon trains. The Ore line operates with a mix of class 9E 50kv Electric Locomotives and GE's model U26C Diesel-Electric locomotive. Extending the length of these trains requires the use of Distributed Power for efficient operation.
"We are excited to provide GE's Locotrol train control system to help Spoornet achieve its stated intention of increasing its iron ore export tonnage throughput from 27 metric tonnes to 41 metric tonnes by 2009 on this single-line operation," says Roger Lambson, GE -- Transportation's Sales Director in the Middle East and Africa.
Distributed Power helps customers increase its capacity to long-haul transportation by applying power and control commands to locomotives placed throughout the train. Customers are able to control the locomotives remotely using command signals, allowing improved control over the power and braking systems over the length of the train. With GE's LOCOTROL distributed power, engineers are able to start and stop trains faster and more efficiently.
Phase One of the project includes engineering and installation of the technology on three diesel and three electric locomotives. Phase Two will involve the roll-out of the solution to 45 locomotives.
"With Locotrol Distributed Power, we're able to provide a technical solution on a very short implementation schedule, offering minimal interruption to this key rail line," said Lambson. "With this project, we can help Spoornet address their capacity challenges in the quickest time possible."
GE -- Transportation's partners in South Africa, Knorr-Bremse SA, have been responsible for the electronic brake racks supply and implementation part of the project.
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GE -- Transportation Train Control System
About GE Transportation
GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), delivers technology solutions for the rail, marine, and mining industries. Products and services include freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for marine and stationary power applications and motorized systems for mining trucks and drills.
Throughout the African continent, GE - Transportation provides spare parts and support as well as service, maintenance and refurbishment programmes to several major rail utilities, in countries such as Egypt, Cameroon, DRC, Gabon, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa. The entire installed base of GE locomotives is in the region of 1200 across the entire African continent. The division is also exploring upgrade programmes for some of these aging locomotives.
Editorial Contacts
Roger Lambson
Sales Director, Middle East and Africa
GE -- Transportation
Phone: 011 - 2370182
Email: [email protected]
Kendal Hunt
PR and Media Consultant
Kendal Hunt Communications
Phone: 011 -- 7045649
Email: [email protected]
Chris Banocy