Florida East Coast Railway, LLC will acquire 24 new ES44C4 locomotives from GE Transportation. The new locomotives will be used in through-freight, heavy-haul service on the railway’s 351-mile route between Jacksonville and Miami, Fla.
The purchase price for the 24 locomotives is approximately $55.4 million, according to FEC’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The agreement also provides FEC with an option to purchase up to six additional ES44C4 Evolution Series Tier III locomotives at the same purchase price per locomotive provided that the option is exercised before Feb. 14, 2014. The locomotives are to be delivered to FEC no later than Dec. 15, 2014.
“These locomotives will provide the fuel-efficient power we need to support the current operations and future growth of the railroad,” said Fran Chinnici, senior vice president of mechanical, engineering and purchasing at FEC.
The ES44C4 locomotive, part of GE’s Evolution® Series, is designed to meet U.S. EPA Tier 3 emissions requirements using advanced engine technology that lowers fuel consumption and operating costs. These locomotives provide the benefits while controlling NOx and particulate matter emissions.