Supply Side: Dominion Energy/IRT, Wabtec
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Wabtec's NXT series debuts with four dynamic models, offering tractive efforts ranging from 26,000 pounds to 41,300 pounds. (Photo: Wabtec)
Dominion Energy selects Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT) for a battery-electric locomotive project at Fort Cavazos, Texas. Also, Wabtec launches its next-generation railcar mover.
Dominion Energy/IRT
Dominion Energy, which has been designated as the leader of a project funded by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission to improve energy resilience for rail operations at Fort Cavazos, Texas, has selected IRT to provide its ATLAS lithium-ion battery-electric propulsion system for the initiative.
The project, which was the top-scoring proposal chosen for the funding and will result in the conversion of one of the U.S. Army’s diesel locomotives to battery electric, “provides Fort Cavazos not only with a cost-effective way to update and expand mission capabilities of one of its aged legacy diesel locomotives with IRT’s state-of-the-art ATLAS propulsion technology but also to collaborate with the electric utility service provider, federal, state, and local government officials on base readiness, infrastructure resilience, community coordination, and environmental justice objectives,” according IRT.
The battery system on ATLAS locomotives is capable of providing a significant source of back-up power during emergency events, including cyber-attacks, providing an additional layer of operational readiness.
“The Dominion Energy Fort Cavazos Team is looking forward to partnering with Innovative Rail Technologies on this extremely significant electric locomotive switcher project,” said Kevin M. Mann, Dominion Energy’s Manager of Privatization–Fort Cavazos. “Having the opportunity to partner on a project that brings this capability to Fort Cavazos, the Army and Department of Defense is outstanding. The environmental, reliability and cost savings benefits this is going to bring will be more than innovative—it can be a game changer.”
IRT is expected to begin the rebuild of the Fort Cavazos locomotive immediately and deliver it to Fort Cavazos by the end of 2024.
Wabtec
Wabtec on Feb. 27 announced that it has launched its Shuttlewagon Commander NXT, the next generation of railcar movers.
The NXT series, which Wabtec says, “will provide the railcar moving industry improved performance, reliability and efficiency,” debuts with four dynamic models, offering tractive efforts ranging from 26,000 pounds to 41,300 pounds, “catering to diverse operational needs of customers.”
This new railcar mover, Wabtec adds, also features the patented ShuttleLaunch technology, “a cutting-edge solution specifically engineered to optimize tractive effort, substantially reduce wheel slipping, and extend tire life, marking a notable advancement in the industry.”
Each model in the NXT series boasts cutting-edge features, including an advanced joystick operation for precision control, a dual-rail wheel design enabling navigation of tighter curves, and a proven AAR coupler and rubber tire drive system. These enhancements, Wabtec says, “collectively elevate the functionality and efficiency of the NXT series.”
Since 1972, Wabtec’s Shuttlewagon railcar mover has served more than 1,000 customers in more than 12 industries that include government, agriculture, chemicals, mining, and other industries that are integral to the supply chain.
