In November 2011 Australian engineering firm UGL Rail announced it was to develop a narrow gauge version of the class in association with GE.

The PowerHaul Class are a 6 axle Co-Co design for heavy mainline freight operations - the design originated in a collaboration between Freightliner who required a more powerful freight locomotive, and General Electric who needed a launch customer for its entry into the European rolling stock market.

[5] To fit within European and UK mass and loading gauge restrictions GE used a relatively high revving engine (1500rpm),[note 1] giving a 20% increase in power-weight ratio.

[10] In February 2011 Tülomsas completed the assembly of its first PowerHaul from a kit manufactured at GE's Erie plant;[11][12] the locomotive, built to a UK loading gauge was shipped to the United Kingdom in October 2012.

[14] In September 2012 GE announced that freight operator Heavy Haul Power International (HHPI) would be the recipient of two to six locomotives, which would be used to obtain homologation certification.

[5][16] General Electric claims that the engine is more fuel efficient than contemporary competitors,[note 3] consuming 192g per kilowatt hour at full power output.

[19] Unlike the original version built for the UK loading gauge the design has a full width body.

[19] The European version is expected to be re-designed to meet 'European Driver Desk' recommendations, and UIC 612 standards, with a central driving position.

[16] A Tulomsas assembled locomotive in Heavy Haul International branding was exhibited at Innotrans trade fair in September 2012.

[21] European freight operator Heavy Haul Power International took a delivery of pilot production 9 Powerhaul locomotives assembled at Tulomsas.

GE supplied the power and traction package, with UGL constructing the locomotive frame, with some components sourced from India.