NSR Deploys Ohio’s First All-Battery Electric Locomotive

NSR deploys Ohio’s first electric locomotive.

OmniTRAX on Nov. 9 announced that its affiliate Newburgh & South Shore Railroad (NSR) has deployed its first all-battery electric locomotive.

According to OmniTRAX, the new AMPS Traction G9—the first electric locomotive deployed by a short line railroad in Ohio—will service its northern Ohio rails lines. The battery electric switching locomotive is a 250,000-pound FRA compliant unit with technology to reduce fuel consumption by half and cut NOx emissions and particulate matter 77%, the company said.

“Electric locomotives play an important role in our industry and AMPS Traction’s innovative technology is the perfect addition to our fleet,” said OmniTRAX President and COO Sergio Sabatini. “We will continue to invest in technologies that help keep our communities clean and safe, and we are thankful to Governor DeWine and Ohio EPA for the grant program that has made this emission-saving equipment upgrade possible.”

The NSR Locomotive 1234, which was deployed during a ceremony that included dignitaries from Ohio’s Environmental Agency, the Port of Cleveland, AMPS Traction, and NSR customers, was dedicated in the memory of OmniTRAX Divisional Track Engineer Steve Ward. As the company’s longest serving employee, Ward oversaw the safety and maintenance of track throughout the OmniTRAX network for 27 years until his passing in 2021. Ward’s widow Alice Ward and children Jonathan, Bobbi, and Traci joined Sabatini and NSR General Manager Nate Mazo for the ceremony. Sabatini performed the dedication and honored Ward’s family in attendance.

According to OmniTRAX, NSR was selected as a grantee from the $75 million Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund, overseen by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The Fund awards eligible applicants with grants that support the demonstratable improvement of air quality.

Based in Cuyahoga County, NSR serves rail customers in the greater Cleveland area. The NSR was one of seven grantees awarded for projects that reduce emissions from diesel vehicles and equipment.