Rail News
'Dramatically more powerful': world’s first battery-electric freight train unveiled
The Guardian
16 September 2021 (US)
The train, known as the FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive, underwent successful trials in California earlier this year where it was found to have cut fuel consumption by 11%. Photograph: Courtesy of Carnegie Mellon (Photo)
Wabtec shows off locomotive amid fresh attempt by some US lawmakers to slash carbon emissions from rail transport
The world’s first battery-electric freight train was unveiled at an event in Pittsburgh on Friday, amid a fresh attempt by some US lawmakers to slash carbon emissions from rail transport in order to address the climate crisis.
Wabtec, the Pittsburgh-based rail freight company, showed off its locomotive at Carnegie Mellon University as part of a new venture between the two organizations to develop zero emissions technology to help move the 1.7bn tons of goods that are shipped on American railroads each year.
Perched upon a strip of rail at Carnegie Mellon’s technology campus on the banks of the Monongahela River, the cherry red, 75ft-long train provided a striking background to politicians, rail executives and academics who urged a swifter industry transition away from fossil fuels. Dignitaries were allowed to clamber up a vertiginous ladder on to the train to inspect its confines, which included a small driver’s cabin in front of 500 lithium-ion battery modules, arrayed in stacks in the heart of the vehicle.
The new train, known as the FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive, underwent successful trials in California earlier this year where it was found to have cut fuel consumption by 11%, which meant reducing the amount of diesel used by 6,200 gallons. Wabtec said that the next iteration of the locomotive, to be rolled out within two years, will be able to cut the consumption of diesel, the fossil fuel traditionally used in freight rail, by nearly a third.
The company also said emissions will be entirely eliminated through the development of accompanying hydrogen fuel cells. If the technology is used worldwide, Wabtec estimates planet-heating emissions could be cut by 300m tons a year, with nearly half of those saved emissions occurring in the US.
Source
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/16/battery-electric-freight-train-wabtec-rail-transport-emissions
Recommended for you
With 100 days remaining, Eurostar is on course for the 2024 Olympics in Paris
17 April 2024 (London, UK) Almost 415,000 tickets have been sold for travel to the Games across the Eurostar network, which is preparing to carry athletes and spectators to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. More than 2,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes are expected to travel with Eurostar. In order to ensure that passengers enjoy an experience worthy of a medal, Eurostar is expanding its services and hiring more employees to assist passengers in stations. As part of this effort, volunteers from within the company are being invited to take on a "Games Maker"-style position as passengers depart for Paris. Source https://mediacentre.eurostar.com/mc_view?language=&article_Id=ka4Rz000004eS05IAE
16 hrs ago
Read MoreOn April 16th, the Indian Railways commemorated its 171st anniversary
17 April 2024 (India) On April 16th, the Indian Railways commemorated its 171st anniversary. Indian Railways is one of the busiest railway networks globally, transporting millions of passengers and tons of freight every day. Indian Railways is the fourth-largest railway network in the world by size, spanning over 67,000 kilometers (41,580 miles) of track and connecting thousands of towns and cities across the country. The first train in India ran from Mumbai (then Bombay) to Thane on April 16, 1853. This historic journey covered a distance of 34 kilometers (21 miles) and marked the beginning of the Indian railway system. The locomotive used for this journey was named "Three B". The train was a significant milestone in India's transportation history and laid the foundation for the extensive railway network that exists in the country today.
2 days ago
Read MoreThe Better Offer from Canadian National Railway
April 12, 2024 (Canada) Federal conciliators assisted in the negotiation process between CN and the TCRC union, which took place between April 10 and 12, 2024. In this discussion, CN presented the union with an enhanced offer that included significant upgrades. There has been a $5/hour rise in the suggested hourly rates. Workers who are hired prior to the agreement's ratification will have employment security and won't be at risk of being laid off. Salaries of workers who now make more than the suggested hourly rate will be safeguarded. Source https://www.cn.ca/en/news/2024/04/20240412-tcrc-update
4 days ago
Read More