Canadian National Railway Company (CN) announced the launch of a new medium horsepower hybrid electric locomotive pilot project on Jan. 16.
The project, developed in collaboration with Knoxville Locomotive Works, will test its hybrid locomotion under various operational conditions across CN’s network to evaluate its potential to enhance operational efficiency and fuel savings.
Officials said the 3,200 medium horsepower unit is built on the traditional CN low horsepower locomotive and includes a modern control system, increased horsepower of up to 60 percent and a 2.4MWh-700HP battery diesel engine, that is 100 percent biofuel ready. Officials said the goal is to reduce fuel consumption by 50 percent (compared to a typical locomotive).
“This CN-led pilot represents another milestone in our sustainability journey and focus on emerging technologies,” Patrick Whitehead, executive vice-president and chief network operating officer at CN, said. We believe that this hybrid system, if successful, could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our yard operations, while maintaining our commitment to customers and communities across our network.”
The hybrid locomotive will be deployed in phases over the next six months, the company said, in a number of CN yards and branch lines, including locations in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Officials said the testing will also eventually include cold weather operations in Western Canada. The phased approach, officials said, will allow the company to evaluate efficiency and operating protocols for the locomotive.