NEWS
Motovated Design & Analysis Newsletter - April 2010
Global Locomotive - Containerised Switcher Solutions
Motovated gets to design the coolest things. Usually we can’t talk about it while the development is going on, but one that we can
talk about is the new locomotive repower technology being developed by Global Locomotive.
Mike (a Kiwi) and Lance (an Aussie) are managing the design process from their Sydney base, though they are well supported by the team at
Global Locomotive’s ‘Performance and Technology Centre’ in Tenino near Seattle.
You can read more about the company here.
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While going to a US EPA Tier 3 re-power alone was and still is a good solution, Mike (Kiwi) and Lance (Aussie) came up with a better idea...
Rather than spending heaps upgrading an old loco with limited long-term value, they recognised you could split the process into two
distinct parts - just doing enough to ensure an extended but limited life to the chassis and at the same time investing in new technology
around the power source, as long as it was encompassed in a quickly removable format. Motovated is currently “Containerising” their
motive packages for this purpose. This containerisation enables a new chassis to be purchased 10 years in the future and the motive package
quickly transferred to the new chassis. This effectively distributes the cost of a new loco over a 10 year investment span. This also
ensures that a significant portion of any repower / loco purchase is done in the maintenance facilities of the purchasing country, growing
internal knowledge, infrastructure and jobs - a great way to re-skill a workforce like New Zealand’s.
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Even better, the containerised power unit can be leased if desired, effectively removing the upfront costs of ownership while transferring
the cost of maintenance and upgrades to 3rd parties and ensuring asset up-time.
Click here to download a brochure highlighting the containerised option we are currently developing.
Motovated is privileged to help redefine a hugely important technology which extends the
life of rail assets, thanks to Mike and Lance for letting us talk about this technology before it is really public knowledge.
Global Locomotive have also published a technical white paper on the cost justification for Tier 3 Locomotives, especially repowers.
While this paper was specifically tailored to the Aussie market, it is clearly applicable to NZ’s situation. If you are interested in
reading further, contact Mike for a copy.
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