Norfolk Southern intends to modernize 300 more locomotives with the assistance of Wabtec as part of a larger effort to reduce carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Wabtec (NYSE: WAB) has already modernized 500 NS (NYSE: NSC) locomotives, both companies announced in August. Wabtec will have modernized over 950 NS locomotives by 2025 as part of a multi-year order that began in 2015. This week’s order is the third in accordance with that agreement.
The retrofit includes an FDL Advantage engine upgrade as well as the installation of a suite of digital programs such as Trip Optimizer, SmartHPT, and Distributed Power. D9-44CW locomotives that are more than 20 years old will be modernized. They will be retrofitted to become AC44CMs, giving each locomotive an additional 20 years of life, according to NS.
According to NS, modernizing the locomotive will increase fuel efficiency by up to 25%, reliability by more than 40%, haulage capability by up to 55%, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul expenses by 20%. According to NS, each modernized locomotive will also reduce carbon emissions by more than 500 tons per year.
“Modernizing our fleet’s locomotives will improve operational performance and reliability,” said Tom Schnautz, NS vice president of advanced train control. “Most importantly, it will assist us in meeting our science-based target of a 42% reduction in emissions intensity by 2034.” Wabtec’s proven modernization program enables us to maximize the value of our locomotives while reducing the use of new materials and the environmental impact of our operations.”
In the Americas, Wabtec has delivered over 1100 modernized locomotives. According to Wabtec, these locomotives have reduced carbon emissions by more than 1.4 million tons since 2015, which is the equivalent of removing emissions from 340,000 cars.
“Wabtec has developed a portfolio of modular technologies for a wide range of retrofit solutions for older locomotives.” This was done in a strategic manner, after analyzing the fleet and the needs of our customers. “Our modernization program enables Norfolk Southern to improve the performance of its existing fleet by bringing aging locomotives up to modern standards,” said Pascal Schweitzer, president of Wabtec Freight Services.
The announcement on Tuesday is just the latest in the Class I railroads’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Wabtec announced earlier this month that it would be testing the use of biofuels and renewable diesel in locomotives owned by BNSF (NYSE: BRK.B) and Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP).
