UP’s 2023 Building America Report Highlights Hybrid Locomotive Testing
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Image Courtesy of UP
Union Pacific (UP) on April 29 released its annual Building America Report, highlighting progress on key goals, including safety and sustainability, as well as the development and testing of a new battery-electric locomotive.
“The Building America Report is a comprehensive reflection on our daily drive toward operational excellence, our ongoing commitment to providing the safe, reliable service we promised our customers and our goal to provide meaningful work with best-in-class benefits for employees,” said CEO Jim Vena.
A key highlight in the report (download below) was UP’s partnership with rail technology company ZTR to design and build hybrid-electric locomotives. UP will test six of these new locomotives, with the first locomotive deployed for testing next month. This innovative locomotive, the Class I says, will run similarly to a hybrid car and is one example of UP’s “continued research and development efforts to build a more sustainable future.”
According to the report, UP also improved on key safety metrics in 2023, “underscoring its comprehensive and enhanced approach to safety.” The railroad reduced year-over-year serious injuries by 15% from 2022. The reportable derailment rate declined 6% compared with 2022, and over the past 10 years, track-related derailments declined 28%.
UP, according to the report, continued to make headway on its climate action goals and has reduced absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 19.1% since 2018. UP also worked with the Science Based Targets Initiative to update its target to the SBTi’s revised, 1.5-degree ambition guidance, resulting in a commitment for the company to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year. UP also committed to reduce Scope 3 absolute emissions from our purchased goods and services, capital goods and fuel- and energy-related activities 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.
On the corporate transparency front, UP earned high scores for its leadership on climate initiatives and data disclosures, receiving an A- from CDP and being named to the 2024 edition of the JUST 100, an annual ranking of companies based on their business practices and corporate responsibility.
With this year’s report, the Building America Report also includes information on topics formerly reported in the company’s Climate Action Plan and We Are One reports. Now fully comprehensive, the Building America Report will be released biennially, with a separate data supplement published annually.
UP Tests Hybrid Locomotive
According to UP, the next of the five remaining hybrid locomotives is expected to be ready for testing next year.
“This is an incredibly exciting pilot project with great potential to improve the fuel efficiency of our locomotive fleet,” said UP President Beth Whited. “It underscores our strong commitment to exploring and developing alternative energy sources while reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our sustainability goals.”
ZTR designed the hybrid propulsion technology, while UP built the prototype at its North Little Rock, Ark., facility.
“We are excited about the groundbreaking hybrid technology built in partnership with Union Pacific. Union Pacific is serious about reaching their sustainability goals and they have been an outstanding partner in this project,” said ZTR President and CEO Sam Hassan. “The development of the ZTR BLU™ Technology platform is one of the most significant projects for ZTR to date and will be the basis for further advancements in sustainable solutions, including emission-free locomotives.”
The hybrid locomotives will operate as “mother-slug” units, with one locomotive running on diesel and an accessory or “slug” unit providing battery power. The batteries will have multiple charging options, including wayside charging and onboard self-charging capabilities. The engineless slug design, UP says, increases the number of traction motors available, enhancing the locomotive’s pulling and braking power for yard switching work, where trains are built.
Depending on mode of operation, UP says these hybrid switchers are expected to consume as much as 80% less fuel—reducing associated GHG and criteria pollutants. Additional benefits include reduced maintenance expense and noise compared to traditional diesel units.
UP says it has been exploring new technology and innovative approaches to meet its sustainability goals. These include testing and increasing the use of biofuels, using technology to enhance locomotive fuel efficiency, and working with vendors and customers to identify new sustainable synergies.
Since 2018, UP says it has cumulatively reduced its GHG Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 19%, with the goal of meeting its science-based target and reducing emissions by 50.4%.
“This is a huge step forward in zero-emission technology. It’s extremely cutting edge, and one of the coolest things I’ve worked on in my career,” said Jason Fox, Senior Director-Locomotive Engineering and Quality. “If all goes well, we may someday use this technology in all of our rail yards as a switcher set used to build trains.”
