Our combined technologies improve tractive effort allowing you to PULL MORE WITH LESS.

Thermal Protection
Testing on Jett Hill in Frankfort, Kentucky demonstrated operation in short time rating zones (up to 1,500 amps) for 5 minutes before the Control System automatically reduced amperage to prevent damage to the traction motors. Conventional locomotives need an operator to reduce power after 5 minutes.

Individual Axle Control
On a conventional locomotive, when a wheel slips, all the axles on the truck drop power to regain traction and lose precious momentum. Often, the engineer must override the system with the more effective "manual" throttle modulation. Our traction control system reduces and reapplies power to the individual slipping axle while continuing to send full power to the remaining traction motors.

Our Individual Axle Control provides for the RP Series leading 33% Adhesion, which brings it close to AC technology

In some conditions additional current is applied to the non-slipping axles, providing seamliess tractive effort and improved handling.

R. J. Corman Field Study
Jett Hill contains a constant 1% grade over 5 miles with 11 and 14 degree curves. On this stretch of track, CSX rated a 3,000 hp GP40-2 for 1,550 trailing tons. The 2,000 hp RP Series RP20BD used in this study was rated for 1,900 trailing tons. The conclusion: the RP20BD pulled more with less.

Class I Performance Test
The RP20BD locomotive used on Jett Hill completed its first multi-GenSet Eastern Class I Performance Test. Results from this test show the RP20BD demonstrated enhanced performance when compared with a baseline GP38-2 and with a Mid-West based competitor.

Performance Results

Dry Rail Test - approached 20% tonnage increase from the GP38-2.

Wet Rail Test - approached 50% tonnage increase from the GP38-2.

Starting Tractive Effort Test - >80,000 lbf*, which is 17% greater than our closest competitor in certain conditions.

*Note: Starting TE for both locomotives in the consist was 164,000 lbf.