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Environmentally-Friendly Locomotive to Enhance Quality of Life in Stockton

Environmentally-Friendly Locomotive to Enhance Quality of Life in Stockton

A new EPA Tier-4 compliant locomotive built by Knoxville Locomotive Works was unveiled today by privately held transportation service company, OmniTRAX and the Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad (STE).

“This new state-of-the-art locomotive is the result of hard work by many individuals from the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Central District, OmniTRAX, KLW and other stakeholders, and will enhance the quality of life in Stockton and nearby communities. The Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad wouldn’t have been able to replace its old locomotive without their determined effort,” said Kevin Shuba, CEO of OmniTRAX.

The new unit’s energy efficiencies support the overall goal of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Central District’s (UAPCD) Locomotive Program that provided a grant for the purchase. UAPCD’s grant program provides funds for the replacement of older locomotives for newer, environmentally-friendly ones.

“Despite major reductions in emissions, the Valley continues to face difficult challenges in meeting federal air-quality standards,” said Samir Sheikh, the Executive Director / Air Pollution Control Officer of the Valley Air District. “It will be difficult for the Valley to attain the standards for ozone and particulates without these innovative low-emission locomotive projects.”

“This project is a major step in our efforts throughout the Valley to improve public health through financial incentives to reduce pollution.” “Improving the health and quality of life in disadvantaged communities such as around the Port of Stockton is important to me and the Air District,” said Stockton City Councilmember and Valley Air District Governing Board Member Christina Fugazi.

Florida East Coast Railway Acquires New GE Locomotives

Jacksonville, FL – The Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) has completed the inaugural run of its first two new GE ES44C4 locomotives.

The new engines provided state-of-the-art Tier 3 locomotive power to the company’s most expedited through-freight train, transporting automotive, carload and intermodal freight from Jacksonville to Miami.

Part of GE’s Evolution Series, the ES44C4 locomotives are designed using advanced engine technology that lowers fuel consumption while also controlling NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions. The company will receive a total of 24 ES44C4 locomotives from GE Transportation before the end of the year.

“As we continue to grow and expand, it is critical that we have dependable and efficient horsepower to support the transportation of intermodal, carload, auto and port business,” said James R. Hertwig, FECR President and CEO. “With these new Tier 3 locomotives, we are well positioned to handle current and future customer needs.”

The Florida East Coast Railway is a 351-mile freight rail line located along the east coast of Florida and serves as the exclusive rail provider for Port Miami, Port Everglades, and Port of Palm Beach.

The FEC connects to the national railroad network in Jacksonville, Florida, and provides carload and door-to-door intermodal solutions across North America.

12/03/2014