UNITED States Class 1 Norfolk Southern (NS) and Progress Rail have announced a project to upgrade 96 dc traction diesel locomotives to ac. Deliveries will start in 2027 and the project will be completed in 2029.
Progress Rail will convert existing SD70M-2 locomotives manufactured by EMD. The refurbished SD70ICC unit will be equipped with a new 3.2MW 16-cylinder EMD 710 diesel engine and a Caterpillar advanced engine management system. The locomotives will also feature individual axle control.
NS says the upgrades will improve reliability by 40% and increase haulage capacity by 55%, while offering a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency.
“Each conversion extends a locomotive’s life by at least 20 years, with significant savings compared to the cost of buying new,” NS says.
NS’s fleet modernisation strategy involves purchasing new locomotives as well as converting more units from dc to ac traction, with the objective of reducing the number of locomotive types in use from 13 at present to four over the next decade. NS says that 90% of its locomotive fleet is already equipped with ac traction motors.
“Fewer models mean lower maintenance costs, simplified training and tooling, and greater operational consistency,” NS says.
