US Class 1 freight railway Union Pacific (UP) has signed a $US 1.2bn contract with Wabtec for the modernisation of AC4400 diesel locomotives. Deliveries of the unspecified number of upgraded locomotives will begin in 2027.
This is Wabtec’s fourth major modernisation order from UP since 2018. The third order from 2022 comprised the upgrade of 600 locomotives under a $US 1bn agreement and took the total to 1070. The programme covers 525 AC4400s and AC6000s, as well as 75 Dash-9s. Wabtec says that this work will be completed later this year.
UP would not confirm to IRJ’s sister publication Railway Age the exact number of locomotives to be upgraded under its latest order, but the publication estimates that at least 670 are involved as UP says it will have more than 1700 refurbished locomotives in its fleet once all the work is completed.
The work will take place at Wabtec facilities in the US. Each locomotive will receive the FDL Advantage (FDLA) engine upgrade, Locotrol Expanded Architecture, which Wabtec says supports safe, efficient operation of longer trains, and new Modular Control Architecture, which it says unlocks the next-generation data, diagnostics and software capabilities.
Overall, the upgrades are expected to deliver a reduction in locomotive fuel consumption greater than 5%, a 14% increase in tractive effort and an 80% improvement in reliability.
“These redesigned locomotives will be just like new, providing the improved fuel efficiency and enhanced reliability that we need to grow with our customers and to win new business,” says UP CEO, Jim Vena.
Class 1s buy new locomotives
Separately, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Norfolk Southern (NS) recently announced acquisitions of new US EPA Tier 4-compliant locomotives.
NS has ordered 40 new ES44AC locomotives from Wabtec, its first locomotive purchase since 2022. Deliveries are expected to commence in the second half of 2026 to the NS facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
CPKC is expected to take delivery in the second half of this year of 30 new EMD SD70Ace-T4 locomotives supplied by Progress Rail. The locomotives will be built in Muncie, Indiana, and are from an order for 65.
For detailed data on North American fleet orders, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
