For the first time in more than three years, GO Transit is welcoming a brand new addition to its fleet of locomotives.

While ‘GO 668’ looks similar to other engines in the fleet, featuring the classic green and white colouring, the fresh coat of paint isn’t the only thing “green” about it. It is GO’s first Tier 4 AC locomotive to arrive after rolling off the assembly line at the MotivePower factory in Boise, Idaho.

“Tier 4 technology reduces diesel particulate emissions by about 85%,” said Metrolinx’s director of rail services, Rob Fuller. “(It also reduces) nitrogen oxide emissions by 75% compared to a Tier 2 engine.”

The improved Tier 4 emissions standard, established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, isn’t the only notable feature of the new addition.

While all of GO’s current engines use DC powered traction motors, ‘GO 668’ uses AC traction. This is brand new for GO and Metrolinx.

According to Fuller, AC traction makes for faster acceleration reduces maintenance requirements and improves reliability.

The cutting edge train is the first of 16 brand new Tier 4 engines being added to the squad. They will help carry the load as GO plans to continue to increase train service in the coming months.

Despite making the 3,500-kilometre journey from Idaho to Etobicoke, ‘GO 668’ won’t be sitting idle for long.

The transit workhorse is undergoing commissioning work at GO’s Willowbrook Maintenance Facility and will be rolling into  GO stations in the coming weeks.