10 September 2008
GE joins Canadian Pacific ‘Spirit Train’ celebrating 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
GE Evolution locomotives providing green technology across Canada
Mississauga, September 10, 2008. GE (NYSE:GE), a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games, will join Canadian Pacific (CP) to provide Canadians with a firsthand opportunity to share in the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. CP’s Spirit Train, a mobile ambassador of goodwill, is traveling across the country celebrating Canada’s athletes, Olympic heritage and Canadian pride.
Canadian Pacific has selected one of its GE Evolution® Series locomotives, sporting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem, to lead the CP Spirit Train on its cross-country journey. The Evolution® Series locomotive is the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and eco-friendly diesel-electric locomotive to-date. The engines deliver five per cent higher fuel efficiency and a forty per cent reduction in emissions over previous locomotive engines. GE’s locomotive reduces fuel consumption by approx. 300,000 gallons over the life of the locomotive. The 4,400 hp Evolution® Series locomotive was one of the first GE products to be “Ecomagination” certified. Ecomagination is a company wide business strategy designed to help customers reduce their environmental footprint while maximizing performance and reducing operating costs.
Visitors who attend the CP Spirit Train events can learn more about GE’s energy efficient locomotives in a specially designed exhibit located in the Spirit Train Village. Visitors can also enter an on-site draw to win a model replica of an Evolution® Series Hybrid locomotive.
“GE is delighted to participate in a terrific family program that brings the spirit of the 2010 Winter Games to Canadians across the country,” notes Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO, GE Transportation. “Powered by GE’s Evolution® Series locomotive, the CP Spirit Train is a great example of how green technology contributes to sustainable transportation solutions in Canada and around the globe.”
In addition to the GE exhibit, families can enjoy winter sport activities, explore the Spirit Train Village, hear live music featuring six-time Juno award-winner Colin James, and interact with Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The 2008 Canadian tour includes: Port Moody, BC (Sept. 21/08), Calgary, AB (Sept. 27/08), Edmonton, AB (Sept. 29/08), Saskatoon, SK (Oct. 2/08), Winnipeg, MB (Oct. 4/08), Thunder Bay, ON (Oct. 8/08), Sudbury, ON (Oct. 11/08), Mississauga, ON (Oct. 13/08), Smith Falls, ON (Oct. 16/08), Montreal, QC (Oct. 18/08).
“CP is pleased that this recent environmentally friendly addition to our fleet is a featured attraction in connecting communities to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Dan Winiski, Director of Olympic Operations for Canadian Pacific. “We look forward to Canadians seeing the train and catching the spirit in the Spirit Train Village.”
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. GE is Imagination at Work. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. About GE Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries. GE provides freight and passenger locomotives, railway signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. With sales in excess of $4.5 billion, GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, PA, and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com. PRESS CONTACT: