Class I Briefs: CPKC, CSX (UPDATED)

“Our hydrogen locomotives, 1001 & 1002, are in regular service in Calgary, marking a significant milestone for the program,” CPKC reported via social media on Jan. 16. (Screengrab Courtesy of CPKC)

Two Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) hydrogen-powered locomotives enter regular service in Calgary. Also, CSX’s first responder training program reaches more than 6,000 individuals in 2023.

CPKC

CPKC’s hydrogen-powered locomotives—Nos. 1001 and 1002, designed and built by in-house engineers—are operating in regular service, the Class I railroad reported via social media on Jan. 16. This marks “a significant milestone” for the Hydrogen Locomotive Program and “reflects our unwavering commitment to a low-carbon future,” according to CPKC.

Nos. 1001 and 1002 are running in the Calgary Terminal, where they are switching and serving customers.

CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel discussed the units at the MARS Winter Meeting, held earlier this month. A CPKC spokesman provided Railway Age with his comments: “We’ve got two locomotives right now that are working in 42 below weather—hardening, getting repetitions,” Creel told attendees. “They’ve got over 3,800 miles of mainline (operation so far) providing service to customers, working out of Calgary. They are switching industries in Calgary as we speak. I think we have just gone through our ninth or tenth shift of subzero temperatures with zero failures. It’s not a concept. This isn’t spin. This is real.”

No. 1001’s first revenue service move was in 2022, pulling seven freight cars from a customer facility; it also pulled the Empress, CPKC’s 1930-vintage steam locomotive, at the railroad’s Calgary mechanical shop. No. 1002 was deployed for testing in terminal operations in early 2023.

The Class I’s Hydrogen Locomotive Program began in December 2020 with the retrofit of an existing diesel-electric linehaul locomotive. The diesel prime mover and traction alternator were replaced with hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology to power the unit’s electric traction motors. In November 2021, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) provided a $15 million 50% matching grant to expand the initiative to three locomotives, install hydrogen production facilities at two locations, and create a “global center of excellence in hydrogen and freight rail systems” in Alberta.

The vision for the program by 2023 was to “have a hydrogen locomotive switching customer in Edmonton, a hydrogen locomotive switching customer in Vancouver, and one switching in Calgary,” according to a 2022 New York City conference presentation given by Keith Creel, who was then Canadian Pacific’s President and CEO; he became CPKC’s President and CEO in April 2023 when Canadian Pacific merged with Kansas City Southern. The next step, Creel told attendees at that time, was to “partner with a customer—we have discussions ongoing now—that has the scale and the ability with a closed loop to partner with us to build enough mainline locomotives, so we can prove the technology out in the harshest of operating conditions, through the mountains of the Rockies west of Calgary. It’s a perfect test bed. If you can operate there: Heavy haul, cold temperatures, the most challenging operational conditions I’ve ever experienced in my career. And if it works there, it will work everywhere.” Creel noted that the locomotive would likely run in “local service first because you still have to develop the fueling support system across the nations.”

In related news, Ballard Power Systems in November 2023 reported receiving an order for 2.4 megawatts (MW) of additional fuel cell engines from CPKC. The 12, 200-kilowatt fuel cell engines are to “support the development of CPKC’s additional hydrogen-powered locomotives planned for regular switching and local freight service applications in Alberta,” the company said.

According to Ballard, the additional locomotives will be partially funded through the ERA program. Over the past two years, Ballard has supplied CPKC with 38 fuel cell engines for use in its Hydrogen Locomotive Program, with combined fuel cell power of 7.6 MW. The additional locomotives are expected to enter service in late 2024.

Also, CPKC and CSX announced in June 2023 a planned joint venture for the building and development of hydrogen locomotive conversion kits for diesel electric locomotives. As an initial step in the collaboration, CSX said it planned to convert one of its diesel locomotives using a hydrogen conversion kit developed by CPKC.

“This innovative collaboration expands our hydrogen locomotive program beyond a single railroad and represents an exciting next step in proving the long-term viability of hydrogen as a solution to emissions reduction for our industry,” Keith Creel said during the announcement. “Our hydrogen locomotive went from concept to reality in 24 months with the first zero emissions hydrogen locomotive having already pulled freight in revenue service. We look forward to this collaboration as we work to create a lower carbon future.”   

“CSX looks forward to working as a partner with CPKC in the development of the hydrogen locomotive program as it demonstrates our commitment to implementing alternative fuel solutions that could further enhance our emissions performance and offer our customers an even more environmentally friendly transportation solution,” added CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs. “This exciting initiative will greatly benefit from the expertise of CSX’s advanced, large-scale facilities, where the locomotives will be built.”

Further Reading:

• Ballard Receives Order From CPKC for Additional Fuel Cell Engines
• CPKC, CSX Partner to Develop Additional Hydrogen Locomotives
• Hydrogen: Hope or Hype?
• Mind the (Hydrogen) Gaps
• Follow the Megawatt-Hours: Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Batteries and Electric Propulsion
• CP’s Hydrogen Locomotive Program Advances
• CP’s Hydrogen Locomotive Powers Up
• Ballard to Power CP’s Expanded Hydrogen Locomotive Program
• First Look: CP’s Hydrogen Zero Emissions Locomotive

CSX 

CSX in 2023 held more than 60 training sessions covering hazardous materials (hazmat) handling and incident response tactics, ensuring that first responders, contractors, and local government officials are “informed and prepared to handle potential emergencies on and around railroad property,” the Class I reported Jan. 16. More than 6,000 individuals were trained in communities across CSX’s 26-state network.

According to the railroad, a highlight of the year was the Responder Incident Training (RIT) train events it hosted. This program features a specially designed train that travels the CSX network to help deliver hazmat safety training. A total of 856 first responders and emergency response contractors benefited from these sessions, the railroad said, allowing them to gain “valuable insights and skills for responding to potential rail incidents.”

The CSX Police Department also played a key role in the company’s 2023 safety initiatives. The railroad reported that department members provided specialized training to 1,549 first responders.

“CSX takes pride in offering best-in-class safety training,” CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs said. “Our ONE CSX collaborative culture is deeply rooted in safeguarding our communities and working closely with the first responders who share our safety commitment. Through classroom, virtual and hands-on trainings, we provide first responders with the confidence and skills necessary to effectively manage rail-related incidents, which helps protect our communities, employees and customers.”

“Safety is not just an individual responsibility; it’s a collective commitment at CSX,” Hinrichs continued. “Our approach to safety training is reflective of that. It’s crucial that we equip our employees, first responders and communities with the knowledge to make safe decisions around tracks and trains to minimize risk and ensure everyone’s wellbeing.”

Commented Columbus, Ohio, Fire Chief Jeff Happ, who attended a 2023 RIT train event: “The partnership between CSX and first responders is really important. CSX brings to the table a deep understanding and mastery of their equipment, and their willingness to impart that knowledge to us is invaluable. In the event of an emergency, this shared expertise allows us to protect our community in the best way possible.”

CSX also has a Community Affairs and an Incident Reduction team that provide rail safety education and actively promote Rail Safety Week.