Thursday, October 21, 2010

Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. Awarded New Locomotive Contract for Six SD70ACS Locomotives from SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE ET MINIERE (SNIM)

NOUADHIBOU, Mauritania, Wednesday, October 20th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) today announced it has signed a contract with SOCIETE NATIONALE INDUSTRIELLE ET MINIERE (SNIM) to manufacture a quantity of six SD70ACS heavy haul AC diesel-electric locomotives.


Specifically designed for SNIM’s mining operation, the units will carry minerals and be capable of operating in some of the world’s harshest desert environments. These units will increase the amount of minerals that are carried per trip and reduce SNIM’s operational and maintenance costs. Delivery of the locomotives is scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2011. This will bring the number of EMD locomotives operating in Mauritania to 44.


The SD70ACS is a 4,500 BHP AC locomotive that includes an EMD IGBT AC drive system. This locomotive also features a pulse filtration system and movable sand plows on the pilot and trucks, making it an ideal locomotive for the extreme environment of the Mauritanian desert. EMD’s heavy haul locomotives produced for SNIM have a lightweight design in order to meet the 30-ton axle load requirement, while providing the tractive effort required for the mining operation. Additionally, the SD70ACS has custom design features to provide optimal operation in the extreme 50?C plus temperature that is common in Mauritania.


The SD70ACS is equipped with the EMD 710-T1 fuel-efficient diesel engine and the EM2000 microprocessor locomotive control system. These units are also equipped with the FIRE™ display system. Crew comfort features built into the locomotive include an isolated tropical cab to reduce noise and vibration, while a modified cab roof helps to dissipate heat to keep the cab cooler and more comfortable. In addition, air conditioning, as well as other features, allow for a safer, more comfortable environment. Provisions have also been included for the quick and easy implementation of EMD’s Intellitrain™ remote diagnostic and monitoring system. As the majority of all diesel locomotives in North Africa and the Middle East come from EMD, it is with that great wealth of experience that EMD has designed SNIM’s newest locomotives.


According to Albert Enste, Vice President International Business, EMD, “SNIM is a valued EMD customer. As such, we offer our commitment of supplying the highest quality products and services and to assisting SNIM in achieving its goals of increased production and lower operating costs. The success of EMD's acquisition by Progress Rail Services has proven to be an attractive enhancement to the end customer.”


“SNIM has one of the most efficient and productive mining operations. They operate an all EMD fleet at 97 percent availability, which is one the highest rates of the North African and Middle East region, and we are proud of our 30-year relationship with SNIM. EMD is the leader in locomotive power with over 3,779 units delivered in the region,” added Ramzi Imad, EMD's Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa.


About EMD:

Founded in 1922, Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services, a Caterpillar Company, is one of two U.S. original equipment manufacturers of diesel-electric locomotives. Headquartered in LaGrange, Illinois, with additional facilities in London, Ontario, Canada, 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 customer’s replacement parts and a range of value-added services for its locomotives. The Company is also a global provider of diesel engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land-based oil well drilling rigs, and stationary power generation.


Additional information may be found at www.EMDiesels.com.


For media enquiries, please contact:

Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
Mike Ricci, +1 (708) 387-5792
michael.ricci@EMDiesels.com

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