GE Hybrid Locomotive

[Allen Hazen]

Super Seis--
Vaguely. It wasn't an exclusively GE project, though, was it? I have a vague recollection that BN was putting money into it.
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On the topic of "GE gets idea which subsequently doesn't go anywhere" -- Do you suppose there will be major orders for ES44C-4 when the economy gets stronger, or do you think railroads interested in locomotives with more than 750 hp per powered axle will give in and order ES58?

[MEC407]

GE is continuing to work on the Evolution Hybrid, with a projected 2016 launch date.

From GoErie.com:

Work also continues on the hybrid locomotive, a concept that was introduced in 2005.

"The hybrid is progressing nicely," Simonelli said. "We have made a $160 million investment in the battery facility. Right now we are starting production."

It's likely, he said, that the battery will need to go through several generations of improvements before it's ready for use.

The company's goal is to have the hybrid available for sale in 2016 when new, more stringent emissions standards take effect.

Read more at: http://www.goerie.com/article/20120215/ ... paying-off

[MEC407]

From GoErie.com:

Thirteen years and six chief executives have come and gone since GE Transportation held a Washington, D.C. news conference to introduce the idea of a hybrid locomotive.
. . .
There’s still no immediate timetable, but it seems that hybrids have become a priority for GE Transportation.

Alan Hamilton, general manager of systems engineering for the company and an engineer for 28 years, met with reporters Monday to discuss the contents of a 28-year report that looks at the future of the company in the context of the world economy and a time when the demand for energy efficiency remains at the forefront.

Hamilton, who was on the team who developed and tested the prototype hybrid built in 2007, said many of the Erie plant’s team of more than 500 engineers are working on a new hybrid.

“Hybrid development is going on in this plant right now,” he said.

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.goerie.com/news/20180306/ges ... locomotive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[D40LF]

This could be interesting if they actually go through with it, but I'm sort of skeptical. Batteries would add weight, but then again some customers order units with heavy frames anyway. A lot of new passenger equipment uses regenerative braking, so I suppose it could be applied to freight units as well. It would certainly save some fuel.