ERIE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Transportation announced today the shipment of the first two of its newest global-class PowerHaul Series freight locomotives to its customer Freightliner Group Ltd in the United Kingdom. The PowerHaul Series locomotive represents GE Transportation's first entry to the U.K. and European marketplace.

These two locomotives are the first of a 30-unit order placed in November 2007 by UK-based Freightliner. The purchase represented the largest order of freight locomotives in Freightliner's history. Four more PowerHaul locomotives are scheduled to ship in November.

“The PowerHaul Series is GE’s most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and low-emissions diesel-electric freight locomotive to date,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation. “Fuel-efficiency delivers a real competitive advantage to our railway customers around the world as they strive to minimize their carbon footprint.”

The locomotives will travel by rail from GE’s manufacturing facility in Erie, Pa., to Lamberts Point Docks in Norfolk, Va., where they will be shipped by sea the week of October 19 to the Port of Newport in South Wales, UK, and are anticipated to arrive early November.

“We chose GE’s PowerHaul locomotive to help Freightliner find new ways to increase capacity on our congested freight network, and maintain our performance promise to our customers for many years to come,” said Peter Maybury, CEO of Freightliner Group Ltd. “I am very proud of this partnership. The development team has gone way beyond just meeting standard compliance by designing and delivering innovative solutions to challenges such as increasing hauling capacity and fuel savings as well as reducing our carbon emissions.”

Freightliner sponsors a Twitter site on which you can view the PowerHaul Series locomotive journey at: http://twitter.com/PowerHaul.

Leading Technology

The 129-ton PowerHaul Series locomotive is designed to generate more horsepower and tractive effort while lowering fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than locomotives currently in use. The locomotive features several leading technologies to achieve this performance including the new V16-cylinder, twin-turbo PowerHaul Series engine -- a product of ecomagination^SM. Ecomagination is a GE-wide initiative to help meet customer demand for more energy-efficient products.

This 3,700-horsepower engine is EU Stage IIIa emissions certified. Combined with other technologies the engine is projected to reduce PowerHaul locomotive fuel use by approximately 9% compared to current operating fleet averages. This fuel savings also will reduce GHG emissions over a typical duty cycle and overall operating costs.

GE’s unique AC individual-axle traction-control technology enables the PowerHaul Series to haul heavier loads by significantly reducing slippage on start-ups, inclines and suboptimal track conditions.

The PowerHaul Series also features dynamic braking in addition to air brakes to provide smoother handling when hauling heavier loads.

The dual air-conditioned, low-noise operator cabs were designed with input from the operators for comfort and maximum efficiency. The cabs embody a well-organized, clean-and-neat European style featuring easy-to-read gauges and an unobstructed front-windshield for a clear track view.

Regional Manufacturing and Service

GE Transportation has been developing the infrastructure to manufacture and support the PowerHaul Series locomotives through alliances with well-established regional vendors. In December 2008 GE announced an agreement to supply Tülomsaş (www.tulomsas.com) with the necessary technology and material to assemble GE’s PowerHaul Series locomotives in Turkey for the European, Middle East and North African markets.

Recently, GE Transportation and EuroMaint Rail (www.euromaint.com/en/EuroMaint-Rail) also announced an alliance to collaborate on rolling stock services and technology for the rail industry that will provide European rail customers with an unprecedented level of service capabilities for existing fleets, including a strong regional service network for the PowerHaul Series locomotive.

Globalization and International Trade

Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives are in use in more than 50 countries around the world. GE Transportation’s success story serves as a powerful reminder that free trade and open markets worldwide sustain businesses and employment opportunities in North America and beyond.

About GE Transportation

Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, an operational unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind power industries. GE Transportation provides freight and passenger locomotives, signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pa., and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.

About Freightliner Group Ltd.

Previously part of British Rail, Freightliner was privatized in 1996 and has since increased turnover by over 180 percent. Initially only providing Intermodal services, the company has since expanded to have five subsidiary companies, all operating under Freightliner Group Limited. Freightliner Limited is the UK’s largest hauler of maritime containers, accounting for 20 percent of the total market share, and 83 percent of the rail-fed market. It provides trunk rail services between key ports and inland rail freight interchanges within the UK, supplemented with local road services, to move customers’ containers on the first or last leg of a worldwide journey. In 1999, Freightliner identified a significant opportunity to expand, and established Freightliner Heavy Haul Limited (FHH) to service the bulk rail freight industry. FHH now operates nationwide in the coal, aggregates, cement, specialist minerals, waste and petroleum sectors, and has grown to a turnover of over £100m. Since then, Freightliner Group has established new subsidiaries, Freightliner Maintenance Limited, a separate entity dedicated to the repair and maintenance of traction and rolling stock, and international subsidiaries; Freightliner PL Limited – operational in Poland and Germany, and Freightliner Australia Pty Limited, which began operations this year. For more information visit: www.freightliner.co.uk.