USA

[Administrator]

Cummins announces Tier 4 demonstrator locomotive

30 Sep 2013

USA: Cummins Engine Co announced on September 29 that it is to launch a demonstrator locomotive for its new QSK95 diesel engine, which is expected to start trial running in the second half of 2014.

Speaking at the Railway Interchange exhibition in Indianapolis, Cummins' Vice-President & General Manager for the High-Horsepower Engine Business Ed Pence said the company was 'uniquely positioned' with a product to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 emissions standards which come into effect for rail engines in January 2015.

Rated at 4 200 hp at 1 800 rev/min, the 16-cylinder QSK95 was unveiled in November 2011. Cummins is currently building seven pre-production engines ahead of the start of series production in 2015. One of these is to be installed in a new locomotive power module being developed through a design collaboration with Sygnet Rail Technologies. The fully-enclosed power module will incorporate the diesel engine, alternator, cooling system and dynamic braking, along with the SCR exhaust aftertreatment system and Sygnet's power electronics for engine management and advanced telemetry. It is being designed as a 'drop-in' replacement for a variety of locomotive types, including the carbody elements.

Designated as CECX1919 for the year of Cummins' establishment, the demonstrator locomotive is being converted at the Sygnet plant in Washington state from a former UP SD90MAC once fitted with EMD's H series engine. The rebuilt loco is expected to undergo an initial 12 months of revenue service trials on the Indiana Rail Road. It will be used on 14 000 tonne coal trains, working in multiple with an existing SD9043MAC, and also on intermodal and mixed freight trains.

Pence added that Cummins was working with several other locomotive builders to re-engineer their products with low-emission diesel engines ready for the introduction of the Tier 4 standards. These include Motive Power Industries and NREC, which has already completed a Tier 4 compliant shunting locomotive powered by a pair of 600 hp QSX15 engines.

source: RG

[Administrator]

California High Speed Rail Authority invites interest in second construction package

11 Oct 2013



On October 10 California High Speed Rail Authority invited requests to qualify for the second design and build contract for the Initial Operating Section of the San Francisco - Los Angeles high speed line.

Estimated to cost $1·5bn to $2bn, Construction Package 2-3 covers the 96 km section south from East American Avenue in Fresno to a point 1·6 km north of the Tulare-Kern County line near Bakersfield.

Companies have until December 6 to submit a statement of qualifications. CHSRA will then produce a shortlist based on factors including experience, technical competency and ability to perform, and shortlisted firms would be invited to submit formal design-build proposals in 2014.

In June CHSRA awarded a joint venture of Tutor Perini, Zachry Construction and Parsons the $985m Construction Package 1, which covers civil works for the 47 km Madera - Fresno section of the 480 km Initial Operating Section between Merced and the San Fernando Valley.

High speed services on the Initial Operating Section are planned for 2022. A journey time of under 3 h between San Francisco and the Los Angeles basin is envisaged by 2029, with services eventually extended to Sacramento and San Diego, a total of 1 280 km with up to 24 stations.

source: RG

[Administrator]

Arrowedge aims to cut fuel use

27 Oct 2013

Union Pacific has begun testing Arrowedge, a device designed to reduce fuel consumption by improving the aerodynamics of double-stack intermodal trains.

The first wagon of the train is loaded with one container, with the 14·6 m (48 ft) Arrowedge sitting on top. Its tapered body improves air flow around the following double-stacked containers, reducing aerodynamic drag and thus energy consumption.

Union Pacific developed Arrowedge in-house and holds two US patents for the device, with additional US and Canadian patents pending.

source: RG