World's first all-electric freight locomotive to be used in western PA

Yahoo News 
November 12, 2021 (Australia)

Roy Hill, an iron ore mining, rail and port operation in western Australia, was the first announced buyer of Wabtec's new FLXdrive, a battery-electric locomotive built in Erie.

The company's second order, however, promises to put the innovative new locomotive — which creates a hybrid train when paired with one or more diesel locomotives — on a stage closer to home.

Canadian National has announced plans to purchase Wabtec's 100% battery-electric locomotive to operate on its Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad, which runs from the PIttsburgh suburb of Penn Hills to Conneaut, Ohio.

Noi sale price was announced for the purchase, which was supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

While Wabtec has tested a FLXdrive with a capacity of 2.4 megawatt-hours, CN is expected to take delivery in 2023 of a model with a capacity of 7 megawatt-hours.

CN expects the addition of the battery-electric locomotive to reduce fuel consumption and emissions on its trains by up to 30%.

Rafael Santana, CEO of Wabtec, said in a statement that the FLXdrive represents a defining moment for the freight rail industry.

"Wabtec is proud to partner with CN to accelerate the industry toward low- to zero-emission locomotives,” he said.

Source
https://news.yahoo.com/worlds-first-electric-freight-locomotive-030018885.html