April 2009 will see the formal handover of the first batch of JT56ACe diesel locomotives for commercial operation on Chinese Railways. Also known in China as the HXN3 Harmony class, the 4400KW is the firs EMD designed locomotive for the Chinese market.
Under a contract signed in 2005, EMD is supplying 300 locomotives to the Ministry of Railways in partnership with Dalian Locomotive Works. The first JT56ACe was ceremonially rolled out in July 2008, and has since been undergoing acceptance testing. Deliveries are expected to continue into 2010.
According to Albert Enste Vice President International Sales & Service “Dalian and EMD will start to deliver the first group of EMD designed locomotives for revenue service in China, this marks an important milestone for the entire EMD organization. In light of the trust which EMD has in its Chinese partner the locomotives are being produced from number one on in China with our Chinese partner which is a novelty for this industry.”
The locomotive is powered by EMD’s 16V-265H engine, rated at 6,000 THP. The locomotive is meets US EPA Tier 2 emissions regulations. AC traction drives and onboard microprocessor controls help to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. The JT56ACe hauls trains up to 5,000 tonnes at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. Up to three locomotives will be able to operate in multiple.
The twin-cabbed locomotive has a full width monocoque bodyshell with an internal passageway between the two cabs to ensure crew safety in severe weather conditions. According to EMD, this layout also facilitates routine inspections in a clean, well lit environment and provides easy access for maintenance of electrical and mechanical systems.
During the past winter, the first JT56ACe was subjected to cold weather trails at temperatures down to -40°C. To ensure that the JT56ACe can operate in severe conditions, the air dryers for the brakes have inbuilt heaters, and an air system is used for engine start-up. The engine compartment has electro-pneumatic shutters to prevent heat loss, while the walkway and access doors have seals to maintain the engine compartment temperature. The electrical compartment is fully watertight. The 265H engine has been adapted to operate with low temperature diesel fuel, and can be operated with or without anti-freeze in the coolant.
As well as testing traction performance, cold weather testing also studied crew working conditions in the dual-isolated cabs. Each locomotive has six 8.1kW cab heaters, thermal insulation and heated windscreens, which not only ensure crew comfort in low temperatures but also reduce sound and vibration levels.
Test results showed that four heaters powered from a lineside connection could heat the cab to 20 or 25°C from an ambient temperature of -29°C in less than 30 minutes. The thermal insulation maintained the cab temperature above 20°C for 20 minutes after heaters were off.
Founded in 1922, Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. is one of two U.S. original equipment manufacturers of diesel-electric locomotives. Headquartered in LaGrange, Illinois, with additional facilities in London, Ontario, EMD designs, manufactures and sells diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications and has sold its products in more than 70 countries worldwide. The Company is the only diesel-electric locomotive manufacturer to have produced more than 70,000 engines and has the largest installed base of diesel-electric locomotives in both North America and internationally. In addition to its locomotive manufacturing activities, EMD has an extensive aftermarket business offering customers replacement parts and a range of value-added services for its locomotives.
Additional information may be found at www.EMDiesels.com.
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