HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — Tier 4 locomotives come in all shapes and sizes. Among the smallest so far is from Curry Rail Services, which recently unveiled a Tier 4-compliant industrial switcher it built under contract with Tractive Power Corp. of Canada.
Curry Rail equipped its TP56 switcher with a 400-hp Caterpillar C9.3 engine enabling the locomotive to generate up to 56,000 lbs. of tractive effort.
The newest green-and-silver switcher is built-up from a single Electro-Motive Division HT-C truck, which was commonly seen on SD40-2 and similar locomotives. The locomotive is Tractive Power Corp.’s third engine and its first Tier 4 locomotive.
The locomotive’s two predecessors are currently in industrial service in Canada. The TP56 prototype is assigned to a grain facility in British Columbia, while a customized TP70 model capable of producing up to 70,000 lbs. of tractive effort recently arrived at a marine terminal in North Vancouver.
Frank Donnelly, President of Tractive Power Corp. says that the idea behind building these locomotives was to bring something to market that was a little smaller than a full-sized switcher, but with a lot of tractive effort. The company also wanted to have a smaller engine to minimize fuel consumption while idling.
Donnelly says the TP56 locomotives burns less than a half a gallon of fuel an hour while idling.
“One of the main objectives of the industrial switcher is to manufacture an eco-friendly and efficient product,” says Mark Ritchey, President of Curry Rail Services. “We have placed three into operation and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Ritchey says that in introducing this switcher, the expectations have been set high and that they have determined there is a necessity for this product in current markets. Tractive Power Corp. and Curry have started accepting orders for 2016 and have the capacity to full large production quantities.
While the company’s latest green and silver demo is Tier 4 compliant, the manufacturer allows customers to customize whether they want a Tier 3 or 4 compliant locomotive and without a specific “default” model, clients can also choose what tractive effort option is best for their operations.
Jim: DEF is not needed to meet Tier 4 Locomotive emissions. Tier 4 Locomotive NOx is much higher (about 6.5 times) than the Tier 4 truck NOx requirement so Cummins and GE have been able to meet Tier 4 switcher and line haul (respectively) without the need for SCR using DEF. The Cat C9.3 engine is not actually even Tier 4 locomotive certified because a locomotive of this horsepower range does not require actual Tier 4 locomotive certification, just Tier 4 off-road. The EPA rules are very complex when it comes to this type of application.
Nice use of components, the six axle trucks should not be that expensive and the cat diesel engine is a standard item. Great idea, for grain elevators and such.
Hey, a 1:1 scale switcher versionl of the Aristo Craft "Eggliner"!
Yes Mr Miller they did make one that was very close. It was a 0-4-0 of the same style as this little critter. The one I had ( an stupid here gave it away) Was lettered for Picatinny Arsenal An army base in northern New Jersey. Did see one in a hobby shop a few years an was going for around $300.00
I think Lionel produced something very close to this back in the late 1950s.
It looks adorkable- weird and cute. I'm surprised it can generate that much tractive effort with its light weight and low horsepower.
Amazing, I am sure there is a need in industry for something like this new switch engine…Unfortunately, it sort of resembles a product designed by 'a committee', and a model for powering a layout that would be found, most likely, circling under a Christmas tree, IMHO.
Aint it cute? I wonder what it wants to be when it grows up?
Reminds me of the Walther "Piker" passenger car on a single six wheel truck.
Wow, that is so cute! I want one!
Does it require DEF to meet Tier 4 standards?
A critter.
Clever little unit. I just chuckle when I look at it, but hey–if it runs and if it meets a need in the market, more power to it! The proof is in the pulling.
TE is 56,000 lb's. Impressive !
The return of the 0-6-0 in none steam format.