Here are some images of each side of the recently delivered Fortescue battery electric locomotive which was built in a collaboration with Downer Group.
The locomotive used was an imported second hand General Electric 9-44CW which had been leased to BNSF and then returned to GE after the lease. It carried road number BNSF 4854, then GECX 4854 when returned off lease. It was purchased as part of an delivery of eight units from the USA and all came out still in BNSF Heritage II livery.
GECX 4854 should have been numbered as FMG 022, to fit in with the Dash 9 roster, but it was sent to Gemco's workshops in Forrestfield where it was stripped down to just a frame and cab. It was subsequently fitted out with banks of CATL 306ah battery modules and associated cooling and control systems.
After a time spent at Gemco the unit was moved to Hazelmere where Fortescue Future Industries had their workshops and had been working on ammonia fuel trials with CM40-8M and SD90 model locomotives.
It was during this time at Hazelmere it was spotted in a dark, possibly black Fortescue Zero livery with THE POWER OF NOW along the body hood, and Fortescue ZERO on the cab side. This hood appeared to look more like some sort of cover rather than aa actual body shell.
The locomotive, given the title Engineering Prototype 001 would leave Perth and be road transported back to Thomas Yard after over two and a half years away and transformed into a completely different beast. It arrived at Gemco, Perth back on November 10, 2022. And would return to the Pilbara on June 14, 2025, now in an overall white livery with blue stripes and a green circle representing zero and with Fortescue ZERO on the cab sides.
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