BNSF/Wabtec BEL Pilot Under Way

BNSF Railway and Wabtec have begun testing a battery-electric locomotive (BEL) in revenue service between Barstow and Stockton, Calif. The BEL, sandwiched in between two Wabtec Tier 4 diesel-electric locomotives, creates what is described as a “battery-electric hybrid consist.” All three units power the train in main line operations.