Cummins’ Locomotive Demonstrates It’s Great For Freight

[kscarbel2]

Cummins Press Release  /  April 13, 2017

The distinctive red and black locomotive powered by a Cummins’ QSK95 engine put up some impressive numbers over its first year of operation on the Indiana Rail Road, beyond just the weight it pulled.

The Cummins locomotive recorded a 16 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to the engine it replaced, an 89 percent reduction in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and a 98 percent cut in particulate matter (PM).

What some call the company’s “mobile locomotive testing lab,” also demonstrated over 12 months that it has plenty of muscle, too.

“It pulls better than anything else we have here in terms of an engine 4,300 to 4,400 (horsepower),” said Bob Babcock, Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Development for the Indiana Rail Road.

“When you want to throttle up on the engine, it gets rolling in a hurry,” he added.

The locomotive, which is owned by Cummins, completed its first full year of operation in March 2017, logging about 3,800 hours as it pulled coal and mixed freight over the Indiana Rail Road’s 500 miles of track south and southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana (U.S.A).

The 95-liter, 16-cylinder engine is one of the most powerful high-speed diesels to be installed in a locomotive. Cummins purchased and re-powered a 40-year-old locomotive to demonstrate that the QSK95 could pull freight efficiently.

The engine is already proving popular with passenger rail systems, powering Siemens’ new low-emission, diesel-electric Charger locomotive. The Charger locomotive will be delivered to passenger rail systems across the United States beginning in 2017. The QSK95 was the first single, prime-power engine certified by the Environmental Protection agency (EPA) to meet its Tier 4 standards.

The system used in the Cummins’ freight locomotive also meets Tier 4 certification, replacing a larger, medium speed diesel engine without the aftertreatment equipment to meet Tier 4.

One of the first things the Cummins’ locomotive demonstrated is that a QSK95 with Cummins’ SCR exhaust aftertreatment could comfortably fit in an older locomotive. The SCR system removes NOx emissions while the engine combustion removes PM, two critical air pollutants.

Over the past year, the Cummins locomotive has gone through extensive study by company engineers, enabling such things as development of the best combustion formula to optimize fuel efficiency. Melina Kennedy, Executive Director of Rail & Defense for Cummins Engine Business, said the past year has demonstrated how well the SCR system works in a freight configuration.

“We’ve learned a tremendous amount over the past year,” Kennedy said. “We’re really grateful for the relationship we’ve had with Indiana Rail Road and our other partners.”

Outside the United States, the trend toward replacing older medium-speed diesel engines with cleaner, more efficient high-speed diesels is well established. Inside the U.S., however, most freight trains are still powered by medium diesel engines.

“There’s not just an advantage from an environmental perspective to high-speed diesel,” Kennedy said. “We’ve seen a significant decrease in the cost of ownership due to the increase in fuel efficiency.”

Indiana Rail Road’s Babcock says the engine has been an all-around performer for his company.

“We’re able to use this engine on multiple types of service, from fast unit trains of inter-modal to hard pulling, big coal trains, to merchandise trains to local switching,” he said. “We think we have been the right fit to really run this engine through its paces.”

.

 

[TeamsterGrrrl]

Surprised the railroads haven't picked up on Cummins power, given that their only choice in new locomotives is now GE.

[Red Horse]

2 hours ago, TeamsterGrrrl said:

Surprised the railroads haven't picked up on Cummins power, given that their only choice in new locomotives is now GE.

And who makes the diesels in the GE's?  And didn't Cat buy EMD from GM??

[TeamsterGrrrl]

GE bought the Deutz engine, then came out with a new engine, they build them here. Cat bought EMD but still hasn't gotten a Tier 4 locomotive into production.

[Phase 1]

A Cat-EMD demonstrator.

 

[james j neiweem]

The Cummins powered locomotive concept is a two edged sword. Great for Cummins but it may be bad for the American locomotive industry by  letting Siemens into the market. They have made strong inroads into the power plant equipment business and the process control industry. Look what Europe has done to our trucking industry.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

So what's the problem with Siemens?

[RoadwayR]

EMD has a Tier 4 locomotive:

http://www.progressrail.com/en/products/locomotives/freight/sd70acet4.html

I believe U.P. is putting them in service now.

Never heard of G.E. using Deutz power, they originally bought Cooper-Bessemer diesels before obtaining a license to build C-B diesel designs themselves.  As far as I know G.E. still manufactures their own prime movers based on Cooper-Bessemer designs. 

 

 

 

[TeamsterGrrrl]

With UP paint on it, maybe EMD finally got EPA approval, I hope.

[Timmyb]

Local grain cooperative CBH ordered 22 Cummins-powered locomotives a few years back. They were powered by QSK60 and QSK78's but I haven't heard how they have been performing. 

[james j neiweem]

Go Cummins.Yes GE bought Cooper Bessemer design. I believe there are still a number of Cooper Bessemer Engines used as emergency power at Nuclear plants. It would have been nice to hear the QSK95 in the promo instead of that dumb ass guitar. Teamstergirl- There is nothing wrong with Siemens. Its just that Europe has a habit of taking over American Companies. Siemens bought all of the Westinghouse power plant business except for Nuclear(Toshiba owns that). Westinghouse ended up being a broadcast company with such offerings as Bevis and Butthead.  Westinghouse a power plant giant and powerful American Company morphed into Beavis and Butthead. I believe Toshiba wants to sell Westinghouse Nuclear to a Korean Company .Siemens automated all of the Coast Guard Academy's HVAC systems where I worked . DDC systems worked fine.

Edited April 15, 2017 by james j neiweem

[TeamsterGrrrl]

The foreign companies end up owning most everything because they think long term, American managers can't think beyond the end of the quarter, with all too rare exception.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

Having taken over half the truck makers, the largest wholesale baker, and most of the auto industry... They must know somethin'!

[kscarbel2]

Which brings us back to the topic I've mentioned before. Sadly, this is just a partial listing.

I am indescribably disturbed that over half of the heavy trucks on America's highways are produced by foreign truckmakers. At one time, for decades, American truckmakers defined and led the global truck industry.

Once upon a time, America led the world in innovation and industrial might. But as a result of government casting a blind eye to the fast declining state of American industry, a significant portion of U.S. industry is now under foreign ownership.

In order for a major country like the United States to regain its position as a world leader, we must have a solid economy, which inherently requires a solid industrial foundation. Today, we no longer have that. Much has been allowed to go abroad, while the meager remnants remaining is being sold to foreign companies.

- Germany’s Mann + Hummel bought Affinia Group, producer of Wix, Napa and other brand filters

- Germany's ZF has acquired TRW
- Italy's Fiat owns Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep
- China's Wanxiang has acquired over 20 U.S. businesses including U.S. government-funded battery maker A123, Dana’s coupled-products business, Neapco and D&R Technology.
- Germany's Daimler acquired Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit Diesel and Thomas Built Buses
- Sweden's Volvo acquired White, Autocar, GMC heavy truck and Mack Trucks

- Germany’s Knorr-Bremse owns Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems

- Sweden’s Haldex acquired Anchorlok and the Neway suspension control valve business

- Germany’s SAF acquired Neway air suspensions, and 5th wheel makers Holland and Simplex

- Prestolite Electric, which includes the Leece-Neville brand, was acquired by Zhongshan, China-based Broad Ocean Motor Company and Beijing-based Ophoenix Capital.

- Nexteer Automotive aka GM Global Steering Holdings LLC (formerly Delphi Steering and GM’s Saginaw Steering Division) was acquired by Chinese government-owned Pacific Century Motors

- Germany’s Mahle acquired Delphi’s automotive air conditioning division, Delphi Thermal  
- Korea's Doosan owns Bobcat
- Aircraft and industrial engine maker Teledyne Continental Motors was acquired by Chinese government aircraft maker AVIC

- Canada's Bombardier acquired Learjet Corporation
- Mexico's KUO Group acquired Borg-Warner and Spicer transmissions
- Italy's Fiat thru subsidiary CNH Global owns Case-IH and New Holland
- Sweden's Volvo acquired the road construction equipment division of Ingersoll Rand
- Japan's Bridgestone owns Firestone and Bandag
- France's Michelin owns Uniroyal and BF Goodrich
- China’s Beijing West Industries acquired Delphi’s brake and suspension divisions
- Netherlands-based Mittal Steel acquired International Steel Group (asset holder of Bethlehem Steel, LTV, Weirton Steel, Georgetown Steel and US Steel)
- Mexico's Metalsa S.A. acquired 10 Dana plants that produce structural components for chassis and body structures in light and commercial vehicles
- Germany's Siemens acquired Houston-based Dresser-Rand
- China's Shuanghui owns Smithfield Foods
- Belgium's InBev owns Anheuser-Busch
- South African Breweries (SAB) acquired Miller Brewing
- Germany's Merck KGaA acquired St. Louis-based Sigma-Aldrich
- Switzerland's Nestle owns Gerber baby foods and Purina
- Sweden's Electrolux owns the Frigidaire, Kenmore and Tappan appliance brands
- South Korea's LG owns Zenith

- Netherlands-based Philips acquired Magnavox, Philco and Sylvania
- China's Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computing division
- Japan's Seven & I Holdings owns 7-Eleven
- The UK's InterContinental Hotels Groups owns the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotel chains, and Candlewood Suites
- China's Wanda Group owns the AMC cinema chain
- The Venezuelan government owns Citgo
- Mexico's Bimbo Group acquired Sara Lee's bakery business and the following brands: Arnold, Ball Park, Boboli, Brownberry, Cinnabon Bread, EarthGrains, Entenmann’s, Francisco, Freihofer’s, Marinela, Milton’s Bread, Mrs Bairds, Oroweat, Roman Meal, Sara Lee, Stroehmann, Sun-Maid Bread, Thomas’ and Tia Rosa.

- The British-Dutch conglomerate Unilever owns Ben & Jerrys, Vaseline, Hellmann’s, Best Foods, Ponds, Good Humor and Breyers
- Germany's Henkel owns Dial soap, Loctite, Orbseal and Bergquist
- Germany's Bayer acquired Miles Laboratories and Cutter Laboratories (including Cutter insect repellent, Alka-Seltzer, One-A-Day, Flintstones vitamins and Bactine), and the consumer care business of Merck & Co. which included the brands Claritin (allergy), Coppertone (sun care), MiraLAX (gastrointestinals), Afrin (cold) and Dr. Scholl’s.

- Bayer CropScience acquired biological company AgraQuest
- Thailand’s Thai Union Frozen Products owns Chicken of the Sea and Orion Seafood International
- South Korea’s Dongwon owns StarKist
- The UK’s Lion Capital owns Bumble Bee Foods

- Jim Beam was acquired by Japan’s Suntory in 2014

- Krispy Kreme has been acquired by Luxembourg-based JAB Holdings

- Giant Carlisle (Martin's Food Markets, Ukrops), Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover supermarkets are owned by Dutch retailer Koninklijke Ahold N.V.

- Food Lion and Hannaford supermarkets are owned by Belgium-based Delhaize Group
- Colombia's Cementos Argos has acquired the cement and ready mix producing assets of Vulcan Materials and LaFarge
- UK-based Tarmac PLC acquired the cement and ready mix producing assets of Stamford, Conn.-based Lone Star Industries (for many years the largest U.S. cement maker)

- Two-wheeled electric people mover Segway has been acquired by China’s Ninebot

- China’s HNA Group acquired Carlson Hotels Inc. (Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns)

 

The list becomes longer with each passing year.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

In some ways it's inevitable that with just 5% of the worlds population, we can't expect to be home to all the world's largest corporations. But some of these losses shouldn't have happened, like Fiat making off with Chrysler... But as broke as Chrysler was, no one else would have 'em.

[kscarbel2]

The United States can once more be the home of industry, the envy of the world, if we are the global leader of industry.

But only the governmental leadership can set the tone and direction.

[Underdog]

China's WANDA Group owns the AMC Cinema chain ?!?

I went to high school with a gal named Wanda, she owned an AMC Gremlin.

[Dirtymilkman]

18 hours ago, TeamsterGrrrl said:

Having taken over half the truck makers, the largest wholesale baker, and most of the auto industry... They must know somethin'!

The reasons we are losing business is not all CEOs and managers. It's a lot of lefty policy that's been happening for 50 plus years now. Keep squeezing businessestighter and they will all pack up and leave or sell out. 

[Dirtymilkman]

On 4/15/2017 at 10:36 AM, james j neiweem said:

Go Cummins.Yes GE bought Cooper Bessemer design. I believe there are still a number of Cooper Bessemer Engines used as emergency power at Nuclear plants. It would have been nice to hear the QSK95 in the promo instead of that dumb ass guitar. Teamstergirl- There is nothing wrong with Siemens. Its just that Europe has a habit of taking over American Companies. Siemens bought all of the Westinghouse power plant business except for Nuclear(Toshiba owns that). Westinghouse ended up being a broadcast company with such offerings as Bevis and Butthead.  Westinghouse a power plant giant and powerful American Company morphed into Beavis and Butthead. I believe Toshiba wants to sell Westinghouse Nuclear to a Korean Company .Siemens automated all of the Coast Guard Academy's HVAC systems where I worked . DDC systems worked fine.

What's wrong with Beavis and Butthead?!?!  That's one show my dad and I could both sit down and watch together. 

[james j neiweem]

Heh-Heh-HehHeh-Heh Sorry teamstergrrrl for calling you teamstergirl. I guess my aging eyes are playing tricks.

[TeamsterGrrrl]

1 hour ago, Dirtymilkman said:

The reasons we are losing business is not all CEOs and managers. It's a lot of lefty policy that's been happening for 50 plus years now. Keep squeezing businessestighter and they will all pack up and leave or sell out. 

We're talking about where the corporate headquarters is, not where the jobs are. For example, Ford is incorporated and has headquarters in the U.S., but sells about half their vehicles outside the U.S. and makes vehicles on 4 or 5 continents.

[Dirtymilkman]

4 hours ago, TeamsterGrrrl said:

We're talking about where the corporate headquarters is, not where the jobs are. For example, Ford is incorporated and has headquarters in the U.S., but sells about half their vehicles outside the U.S. and makes vehicles on 4 or 5 continents.

And they build them where the cheap labor and cheapest taxes are. The big three wouldn't build an automobile in the US if they knew they wouldn't lose sales. 

[TeamsterGrrrl]

That's too often true- I can see building econoboxes that they don't make much money on in low wage countries, but $50,000 pickups?

[Red Horse]

48 minutes ago, TeamsterGrrrl said:

That's too often true- I can see building econoboxes that they don't make much money on in low wage countries, but $50,000 pickups?

I do believe that is exactly what Ford has said-can't make any money on a 20 grand focus but a 45 grand plus F-150 is another story as the average transaction price at that level offers a nice profit on every incremental option that gets that price up.

[Red Horse]

Kevin, I do believe there are other UK outfits that have swallowed up large aggregate/ready mix outfits in the Northeast beyond the one you mentioned (Tarmac PLC)