GT38H Testing Under Way in Brazil
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has delivered two EMD® GT38H locomotives to Rumo Logística (formerly América Latina Logística, ALL), Brazil’s largest railway operator. Rumo placed the order in September 2022.
The GT38H, one of Progress Rail’s Joule series locomotives, is an intermediate-power, six-axle (C-C) diesel-battery-electric hybrid that uses a Cat® 3512 diesel engine paired with a generator and a lithium-ion battery bank. The first hybrid locomotive to be deployed in revenue freight service, the 2,950-hp (2.2-mW) GT38H is capable of both regenerative and external battery charging. Starting tractive effort is 111,280 pounds (495 kN); continuous tractive effort is 90,373 pounds (402 kN); maximum operating speed is 37 mph (60 kph), with a 96:15 gear ratio. Battery capacity is 0.55 MWh; regenerative dynamic brake effort is 56,425 pounds (251 kN).
Rumo’s 8,700-mile (14,000-km) network is a combination narrow (meter) gauge (1,000 mm/3 feet, 3.375 inches) and broad gauge (1,600 mm/5 feet, 3 inches). Beginning this month, testing will take place for six months on Rumo’s narrow-gauge South Network (red section on map below) between Guarapuava and Desvio Ribas in Brazil’s Ponta Grossa region (OpenRailwayMap illustration below).
Based on operational plans, Rumo estimates the GT38H “will be more fuel efficient than diesel-electric units currently in operation, and the use of batteries as an energy source could add improved savings.” Rumo estimates a total fuel savings of up to 45%, and significant reductions in PM (particulate matter) and NOX (oxides of nitrogen) emissions, plus noise reduction. The test area was selected because of its mountainous right-of-way requiring locomotives capable of negotiating sharp curves, according to Rumo Manager of Planning and Operations Engineering Rodrigo Rampinellit. The two GT38Hs will haul the same tonnage as six conventional diesel-electric locomotives, at higher speeds.
“This solution from Progress Rail provides considerable gains for our operations,” noted Rumo Director of Maintenance Marcus Jorge. “With this technology in our network, we will be able to evaluate the performance of the unit, considering the characteristics of the track. This is an important step in analyzing the feasibility of expanding the use of hybrid locomotives in our fleet. We are optimistic about this project and the technological advances this locomotive represents in relation to reducing emissions and improving safety. In addition, these locomotives represent a step forward for new technology to be developed, with a focus on broad-gauge and higher-density operations as we have in Malha Norte, the main rail corridor in the country between Rondonópolis and Porto de Santos.”
“As a division of Caterpillar, we are deeply involved in the energy transition, with our investments in technology—from hydrogen and battery, to electric, to these hybrid locomotives—being jointly developed with our parent company,” commented Progress Rail Senior Vice President Colin Kerelchuk, “We are pleased to provide these hybrid units to Rumo, which provide fuel and emission reduction solutions to help them meet their sustainability goals.”
Rumo offers logistics services for rail transport, port lifting and storage. The company operates 12 transshipment terminals, six port terminals and manages around 14,000 kilometers of railway tracks in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Goiás and Tocantins. The asset base comprises 1,400 locomotives and 35,000 freight cars.
