MONTREAL — Canadian National will purchase a plug-in, hybrid diesel-battery mainline locomotive from Progress Rail, the companies announced today.
The first-of-its kind unit for North America will be evaluated on CN’s main line in British Columbia, starting in Prince George and the northern part of the province, to increase the railroad and rail industry’s knowledge on battery technology and different forms of alternative locomotive technologies. The province of British Columbia is collaborating on the program, awarding approximately C$3.2 million under the Clean BC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program.
“CN is committed to supporting the transition to a net-zero economy and proud of the progress we’ve made so far on our decarbonization journey,” Patrick Whitehead, CN executive vice president and chief network operating officer, said in a press release. “We know rail is part of the climate solution and we are determined to do our part by setting ambitious science-based targets. Today’s announcement is another milestone on moving forward towards a more sustainable future.”
While the unit will be the first in North America, Progress Rail delivered two EMD GT38H locomotives, its first diesel-battery hybrids, to Brazil’s largest rail operator, Rumo, last fall [see “Progress Rail delivers hybrid locomotives …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 6, 2023], after adding the technology to its offerings at the InnoTrans trade fair in 2022 [see “Progress Rail to offer diesel-battery hybrid locomotives,” News Wire, Sept. 21, 2022].
“We are committed to developing innovative technologies that save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jack Zhang, Progress Rail executive vice president of locomotive, as part of the CN announcement. “Our EMD hybrid locomotive is a versatile solution that fits various customer applications, providing increased performance and a lower carbon footprint.”
CN has previously ordered a Wabtec FLXDrive battery-electric locomotive for use on its Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad in Pennsylvania [see “CN to purchase Wabtec battery-electric …,” News Wire, Nov. 4, 2021]; CPKC and other passenger operators are experimenting with hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
In another emission-redution move, CPKC also said this week that it has now been running 10 AC4400 locomotives based in Golden, B.C., at least in part on biodiesel fuel for a year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 4,000 metric tons.
Share this article
