London, Ontario - In a special ceremony today, General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) delivered its 100th Class 66 freight locomotive to UK-based Freightliner Group Limited. The unit is one of eight in the current order of Class 66 locomotives that will go to work on Freightliner's fast growing intermodal and heavy haul freight networks.

The contract, which is managed by the leasing arm of HSBC Rail (UK) Limited, continues a long and successful working relationship between Electro-Motive and Freightliner. Freightliner is the largest carrier of intermodal freight in the UK, operating over 100 trains a day and transporting over one million standard containers a year. Freightliner's heavy haul business transports coal, cement, automobiles, and petrochemicals.

Eddie Fitzsimons, Chief Executive of Freightliner Group Limited, said: "To be receiving our 100th Class 66 today is something I am proud to be able to do. We started off by ordering small numbers in line with our business expansion, but the reliability of this locomotive type produced by EMD, coupled with our determination to succeed, has meant that we are in this wonderful position today. I look forward to receiving our 200th Class 66 in the future!"

"We could not be happier to again be delivering the power and performance of our Class 66 locomotives to meet Freightliner's steadily growing freight hauling needs in the UK," said Don Riach, Director of Sales & Marketing for Electro-Motive. "The Class 66 locomotive has an outstanding record of reliability and availability and has consistently met the requirements of Freightliner as well as other rail freight operators in Europe."

This locomotive model is classified by Electro-Motive as the JT42CWR but known throughout the UK as the Class 66. This latest order brings to 103 the number of Class 66 locomotives Electro-Motive has supplied to Freightliner since 1999.

Electro-Motive's Class 66 locomotives are playing a key role in the growth and development of heavy haul rail capability in Europe and in the fast growing intermodal markets which link rail and road transportation services. As a diesel locomotive, the Class 66 has the flexibility to operate across railways with different electrification systems as well as in non-electrified territory.

Over 400 Class 66 locomotives are now in service in the UK and across Western Europe. Electro-Motive is committed to being a long-term supplier of locomotives, parts, and services to the European rail industry.