Locotrol System

GE's Locotrol system allows a single operator to control multiple sets of locomotives distributed in the same train, allowing more efficient operation and control of the train.

The Environmental Challenge

As freight demand and fuel costs increase, there is a need to improve the hauling efficiency of trains. Also, there are limitations to the amount of freight a conventional train can haul due to frictional and in-train forces. Locotrol provides a way to distribute locomotive power across the train to increase hauling capacity.

GE's Innovative Solution

With the Locotrol system, GE developed a way to distribute power throughout the train utilizing radio wireless communications, to communicate locomotive control and status information. Through the distribution of locomotive power, in-train and wheel to rail forces are reduced, resulting in increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Environmental Impact

These systems are installed on over 8,000 locomotives in North America. Based on data from one customer route, these systems avoid an estimated 25,000 to 37,000 tons of NOx emissions per year or the equivalent of removing 1.3 to 1.9 million cars from US roads for a year.

Cutting Costs

Based on data from one customer route, installing GE's Locotrol system on a train configuration equipped with three Evolution locomotives operating under an average operating duty cycle is estimated to reduce fuel consumption by 6 to 10 percent, a savings of 62,000 to 93,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year or $185,000 to $280,000 at $3.00 per gallon.