Marking a milestone in productivity, GE Manufacturing Solutions has produced its 1,000th locomotive at its facility in Fort Worth in less than four years of operation.

GE Transportation's vice-president Richard Simpson said: "This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in Fort Worth.

"In less than four years, this team helped start up the GE Manufacturing Solutions facility and built 1,000 high-quality, competitive locomotives for our customers."

Powered by GE's 12-cylinder EVO engine, the newly built Evolution Series Tier 4 model will be delivered to Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and is expected to decrease emissions by more than 70%.

"The newly built Evolution Series Tier 4 model is expected to decrease emissions by more than 70%."

The first of its kind was produced in 2015, following a $600m investment. The company noted the model complies with the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stringent Tier 4 emission standards without the use of any type of aftertreatment.

To date, the company has received more than 1355 supply orders for these trains, which will be fulfilled over a period of three years.

GE Transportation said the one million square-foot Fort Worth facility is its primary manufacturing site for Evolution Series locomotives.

GE Manufacturing Solutions locomotive plant manager Walter Amaya said: "Thanks to the support from the community, suppliers, and other GE sites, our team has continuously improved the site's productivity and increased production rates to 10 locomotives a week."


Image: GE has produced 1,000th Evolution Series Tier 4 model locomotive. Photo: courtesy of General Electric Company.