traction Archives - International Railway Journal

traction

December 29, 2025 | Freight

Reducing traction emissions

Australia’s rail freight operators are looking to embrace new technology in order to cut emissions. The results so far have been mixed, as Tony Duboudin explains.

July 23, 2025 | Freight

Strategic pathways for low-carbon rail freight

As rail freight operators consider how to decarbonise their services, Antoine Belleguie* presents a methodology for assessing the competitiveness of alternative traction.

February 17, 2025 | Technology

FCH2Rail completes hydrogen fuel cell trials

The EU-funded FCH2Rail research project has successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of using fuel cells to power regional passenger trains in Spain and Portugal, but further work is needed to develop the business case for replacing diesel, as Robert Preston discovers.

November 21, 2023 | Fleet

ABB and Titagarh team up on propulsion systems for Indian market

Swedish-Swiss company gets local partner to align with India’s self-sufficiency policy.

November 3, 2023 | Technology

Wabtec unveils first 100% battery-powered heavy-haul locomotive

Launch customer is Australian iron ore mining company Roy Hill.

October 23, 2023 | Locomotives

Vossloh Rolling Stock adds hydrogen to modular portfolio

Vossloh Rolling Stock has taken its first steps into offering hydrogen-based traction for its latest fleet of shunting locomotives. Kevin Smith visits the manufacturer in Kiel to learn more about its project with Germany’s Duisport Rail.

October 9, 2023 | Freight

The long road to decarbonisation

The heavy-haul rail industry has long been dominated by diesel. But the sector is now exploring new alternatives, as David Burroughs reports from the International Heavy Haul Association conference in Rio de Janeiro.

September 15, 2021 | Technology

Showcase: Dynamic traction control through high-resolution speed sensors

When it comes to controlling traction in electric motors, often only slightly resolved speed signals are available.

April 15, 2021 | Light Rail

Battery technology charges forward

Neil Bates, design director with British train manufacturer Vivarail, explains how battery trains combined with new fast charging technology can provide an alternative to full-scale electrification on secondary lines and thereby save money while cutting CO₂ emissions.

April 2, 2020 | Locomotives

Do hydrogen and battery trains mean the end for diesel traction?

European passenger operators are steadily embracing alternative traction based on batteries or hydrogen as a means of eliminating the use of diesel engines. But are the days of diesel numbered? Or is the technology set to evolve? Kevin Smith investigates.

1 2 3 … 5 Next »

Rail market intelligence to unlock your business potential.

Sign up for the IRJ Rail Brief Newsletter