Progress Rail Offering Diesel-Battery-Electric Hybrids
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, will provide two GT38H intermediate-power locomotives to Rumo in Brazil for regional freight service trials. (Photograph Courtesy of Progress Rail)
Progress Rail is now supplying diesel-battery-electric locomotives, with Rumo in Brazil taking delivery of the first hybrid units this year, the manufacturer reported on Sept. 20.
The new locomotives “use modular architecture to remain flexible to future fuels, retain the capability of their diesel counterparts, and are capable of both regenerative and external-battery charging,” said Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company.
The manufacturer will deliver two GT38H intermediate-power locomotives to Rumo for use in regional freight service trials. Rumo offers logistic services for rail transportation, port elevation and warehousing, and owns and operates an asset base that includes a rail network comprising five concessions with approximately 8,889 miles (13,500 kilometers) of lines, 1,200 locomotives and 33,000 railcars. It operates in the states of Mato Grosso and São Paulo and the states of southern Brazil, where four of the country’s most active ports are located and through which most grain production in Brazil is exported.
“These hybrid units will provide fuel and emissions reductions with lower upfront investment for our valued customers like Rumo,” Progress Rail President and CEO Marty Haycraft said. “We are pleased to support our customers with solutions that help them reach their sustainability goals.”
“Sustainability guides all our actions at Rumo, so the relationship with Progress Rail is very important to us and has the purpose to bring the best solution to our operations,” Rumo Rolling Stock Director Marcus Jorge said. “With the positive result of the tests, we will be able to increase the number of hybrid locomotives. In addition to their environmental impact, they will add more comfort to our machinists and increase safety in our rail network.”
In related developments, Caterpillar Inc. on Aug. 31 marked the 100th anniversary of EMD®; founded as Electro-Motive Engineering Corporation, EMD is now a product brand of Progress Rail.
Further Reading:
Progress Rail Lands Metra Battery Locomotive Deal
UP Acquiring 20 Battery-Electrics for Yard Service
Fortescue Orders EMD® Joule Battery-Electric Locomotives from Progress Rail
BNSF, Caterpillar, Chevron to Pilot Hydrogen-Powered Locomotive
CN, Progress Rail, REG Launch Renewable Fuels Testing
NS, Progress Rail Unveil ‘Green’ Power
Higher Biodiesel Fuel Blend Content OK’d for UP Power
PHL to Test Progress Rail EMD® Joule
Progress Rail Develops Battery-Powered Switcher With Vale
