CPKC and CSX Transportation will form a joint venture to build and deploy hydrogen locomotive conversion kits for diesel-electric locomotives, the railroads said today.
The first step: CSX will convert one of its diesel locomotives using a hydrogen conversion kit developed by CPKC. The conversion work will be done at CSX’s locomotive shop in Huntington, W.Va.
“This innovative collaboration expands our hydrogen locomotive program beyond a single railroad and represents an exciting next step in proving the long-term viability of hydrogen as a solution to emissions reduction for our industry,” CPKC CEO Keith Creel said in a statement. “Our hydrogen locomotive went from concept to reality in 24 months with the first zero emissions hydrogen locomotive having already pulled freight in revenue service. We look forward to this collaboration as we work to create a lower carbon future.”
CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said his railroad “looks forward to working as a partner with CPKC in the development of the hydrogen locomotive program as it demonstrates our commitment to implementing alternative fuel solutions that could further enhance our emissions performance and offer our customers an even more environmentally friendly transportation solution. This exciting initiative will greatly benefit from the expertise of CSX’s advanced, large-scale facilities, where the locomotives will be built.”
CSX will be concentrating on converting low-horsepower locomotives, a spokesman said. The first unit is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2024. The railroad did not specify what locomotive model would be converted first.
To meet their emissions reduction goals, railroads have been experimenting with battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell locomotives, as well as increased use of biofuels.
In December 2020, Canadian Pacific announced plans to develop North America’s first line-haul hydrogen-powered locomotive. CP’s first hydrogen locomotive, converted SD40-2F No. 1001, is dubbed H2 0EL for “hydrogen zero-emissions locomotive.”
It made its first revenue run in local service in Calgary in October 2022. The locomotive uses hydrogen fuel cells and batteries to power its electric traction motors and was designed and built in-house by a team of CP engineers.
The unit now has accumulated more than 1,000 miles of testing in revenue service.
CPKC has deployed a second hydrogen locomotive for testing in terminal operations, a program expansion supported by funding awarded by Emissions Reduction Alberta and the Government of Canada Low Carbon Economy Fund. The second hydrogen locomotive is expected to enter service later in 2023.
Last month CPKC and metallurgical coal producer Teck Resources reached a new multi-year contract that includes a first-of-its-kind program that will use CPKC’s hydrogen fuel-cell locomotives in coal train service [see “CPKC, Teck Resources pilot program …,” Trains News Wire, May 4, 2023].
Note: Updated at 4:49 a.m. CDT on June 23 with additional detail from CSX.
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