Russian-Built Locomotive Modernizations

A locomotive modernization kit is essentially a "heart transplant" for a locomotive.

Modernization is a compelling alternative for upgrading existing fleets when faced with higher fuel prices, increasing maintenance costs and issues of availability. Modernizations cost substantially less than a new locomotive, and can extend asset life by 15-20 years.

Purchasing new locomotives is extremely expensive, yet older models consume significant amounts of fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases. With GE's modernization kit, older locomotives can receive a "heart transplant" that will lower lifecycle costs, upgrade fleet performance and reduce the use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases.

GE's locomotive modernization kit provides increased reliability while reducing operating costs. The kit consists of a new engine, computer system and cooling system. Modernizations cost substantially less than new locomotives and extend the life of a locomotive by 15 to 20 years. Additionally, this solution can easily upgrade existing fleets when operators are faced with higher fuel prices, increasing maintenance costs and issues of reliability and availability.

GE upgraded Kazakhstan's KZT Railway's existing Russian-built locomotives. This modernization translated into less consumption of fossil fuels and lower emissions. Specifically, fuel volumes have been reduced by up to 250,000 liters per year per locomotive and fuel economy is likely to improve by US$ 100,000 annually. GE's modernization of the "Soviet-era" locomotives reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 767 tons, the equivalent of removing 134 cars from the road for a year in the United States. It also reduced the amount of lube oil required for maintenance by up to 75 percent annually, an oil volume savings of up to 17,000 liters per year per locomotive.

Locomotive modernizations reduce annual operating costs by up to US$ 75,000 per locomotive. Availability of the locomotive for service is increased by 58 days per year per locomotive, resulting in an approximate annual savings of 145,000 USD per locomotive. If only 100 existing locomotives were upgraded with GE modernization technologies, the same freight load could be hauled using 30 fewer locomotives.