CHILE’s Antofagasta Railway (FCAB) has awarded GE Transportation a contract to supply five C23EMP single-cab ac/dc diesel-electric locomotives for delivery in 2019. The deal, the first between the two partners, includes a parts, service and warranty agreement.

The locomotives have been specially designed for FCAB for light-axleload operation and are equipped with a GE FDL 12-cylinder engine to operate at high altitude. The locomotives use GE’s electronic fuel injection system to improve fuel efficiency.

The metre-gauge C23EMPs will be used to haul different products for the mining industry that represents approximately 50% of Chile’s export trade. The locomotives will be assembled at GE Transportation’s facility in Contagem, Brazil.

GE Transportation says locomotive and digital sales in South America have increased by 40% over the past three years, with strategic projects in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia.

“The acquisition of these five new GE locomotives, along with other brand-new rolling stock, will trigger a step change in greenhouse gases emission reduction, improve safety features for our crews and enhance train productivity,” says FCAB general manager Mr Mauricio Ortiz.