The ‘H’ Factor
RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE: First steam. Then Electric. Then diesel. Then batteries. Next: Hydrogen fuel cells?
Progress Rail
PHL to Test Progress Rail EMD® Joule
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has teamed with Anacostia Rail Holdings subsidiary Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) to test its new EMD® Joule battery electric locomotive in the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, Calif., during the second half of 2021.
Ballast Maintenance, Delivered
RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE: While most aspects of railroading have not been immune from the effects of COVID-19—namely, a drop in business—many railroads have been “working smart” and thinking ahead, taking advantage of lower traffic levels to get a jump on maintenance-of-way projects, before work windows re-tighten when operations return to pre-pandemic levels. State-of-good-repair and other projects are continuing, and railroads are using a variety of high-production, high-tech-driven track machines to perform the work. Ballast programs are among the most important of these.
HOLD IT!
RAILWAY AGE, OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE: Gauge-holding capability, resiliency, noise reduction, ease of installation and maintenance, low life-cycle cost, safety: Railroads rely on fasteners with these qualities to perform under heavy traffic.
Rolling Processor Platforms
RAILWAY AGE, AUGUST 2020 ISSUE: Improvements in train handling, fuel efficiency and safety are all possible through the advanced microprocessor technology quickly becoming standard on locomotives.
Progress Rail Develops Battery-Powered Switcher With Vale
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has developed a new battery-powered switcher locomotive, the EMD® Joule, working in collaboration with its South American customer Vale. Progress Rail anticipates global availability of the new switcher locomotive in early 2021.
Superheroes of Rail
RAILWAY AGE, MAY 2020 ISSUE: There’s a reason why Superman is referred to as the Man of Steel. The high-tensile alloy is strong yet modifiable. It serves as the foundation of Clark Kent’s alter ego, as well as the foundation of the rail industry. So it doesn’t take a railroader X-Ray vision to see that extending the life of steel rail by as much as 10 times is a solid idea. Rail grinding, milling and welding all can do just that. In addition, they’re excellent ways to reduce surface defects, increase fuel savings, move heavier loads and support faster train speeds.
Progress Rail: More GT38ACs for PT KAI
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has signed a contract with PT Kereta Indonesia (PT KAI) for 36 new EMD® GT38AC freight locomotives, expanding the public railway operator’s existing GT Series fleet. Progress Rail anticipates delivery of the locomotives in late 2021.
Progress Rail Sells Maintenance Equipment Leasing Business
Progress Rail has sold its Progress Rail Equipment Leasing (PRELC) subsidiary to affiliates of Paceline Equity Partners, a Dallas-based private equity manager.
On Board with TALOS® at TTCI
In Greek mythology, Talos was a giant bronze man who guarded the island of Crete by hurling stones at the ships of pirates and invaders. He circled Crete’s shores three times daily. In the real world of North American railroading, TALOS® is Progress Rail’s energy management system “that leverages machine learning and computing power to analyze and optimize routes, resulting in significant improvements in fuel and time.”