Two units were produced by Wabtec's plant in Pennsylvania, United States, and delivered to India in 2019.[2] Initially, a few will be made in USA. Under the 'Make in India' initiative of Indian Government, GE will manufacture all remaining units at its factory in Marhowra, Bihar. GE has also built maintenance sheds at Roza in UP and Gandhidham in Gujarat.
Field trials
The first two locomotives in the series, 69001 and 69002, were recently sent to South Central Railways' Maula Ali (MLY) Diesel Locomotive Shed. The locos underwent Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials on the Vikarabad – Parli section of South Central Railway [3] and were approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation for further field trials on the Dedicated Freight Corridor by Roza Locomotive Shed.
Improvements
Currently approved for test trials by RDSO at a maximum permissible speed of 65kmph. Trials are underway to increase the same.
Current length of the loco is greater than any loco currently and hence facility of dual cab might be introduced[4]