The first American GE PowerHaul locomotives for Freightliner have arrived at Newport in South Wales.
The two are the first of an eventual fleet of 30 of Class 70s. Four more should leave the US within the next month, but further deliveries are not due until later in 2010. Freightliner said the performance of the first six will be carefully monitored in service, and the first two will be divided between the Heavyhaul and Intermodal divisions of Freightliner.
Freightliner Group Engineering Director Tim Shakerley said: “I am extremely proud to see the first two PowerHaul locomotives arrive in the UK. This product is a culmination of two years of hard work and partnership with GE, in order to produce a locomotive that will increase our haulage capabilities and bring further reduction to our carbon emissions.”
The locomotives were shipped from Virginia on 23 October. Freightliner said they would provide 'greater hauling capacity and significant improvements in fuel economy'.
The locomotives are being leased from Lloyds TSB, but Freightliner has not disclosed the total value of the order.