UP said the acquisition represents “the largest investment in battery-electric technology by a U.S. Class I railroad.” Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2023 and run through late 2024.

The Progress Rail EMD® Joule and Wabtec FLXdrive locomotives will operate in California and Nebraska rail yards, where they will be performance-tested in cold and warm weather to help identify their “capabilities and challenges for broader deployment,” according to UP.

“The hope is that lessons learned from this test phase will get us closer to technology that could be used reliably for long-haul service,” UP AVP Labor Relations and Sustainability Maqui Parkerson explained on the Inside Track section of the railroad’s website. “It certainly will help inform the industry about alternative-propulsion methods for over-the-road service, which must be interoperable.”

Wabtec’s first-generation FLXdrive was the main attraction at a joint Wabtec-Carnegie Mellon University-Genesee & Wyoming event on Sept. 10. (Photo: William C. Vantuono) Two Australian rail operators have recently purchased the FLXdrive, as has CN for use on the Bessemer & Lake Erie portion of its network in Pennsylvania. In early 2021, BNSF and Wabtec tested a battery-electric locomotive in revenue service; it was sandwiched in between two Wabtec Tier 4 diesel-electrics, creating a “battery-electric hybrid consist.”

“Battery power is an ideal solution to reduce the environmental impact and costs of yard operations,” Wabtec President and CEO Rafael Santana said. “Using the [Wabtec] FLXdrive in the rail yard can significantly improve local air quality, as well as reduce noise by up to 70% for neighboring communities.” Wabtec’s approximately 2.5-MWh FLXdrives are each powered by 7,000 battery cells; the 10 on order for UP will enable the railroad to eliminate 4,000 tons of carbon annually from its yards, according to the manufacturer.

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company, is providing Fortescue Metals Group with two EMD® Joule battery-electric locomotives to transport iron ore to port in western Australia. (Rendering Courtesy of Progress Rail) It also teamed with Anacostia Rail Holdings subsidiary Pacific Harbor Line on a test in the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, Calif.

“We are pleased to supply our EMD Joule locomotives to Union Pacific, representing our largest battery-electric locomotive order to date,” Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby said. “At Caterpillar, we’re continuing to invest in new products, technologies and services to support our customers during the energy transition, helping them achieve their climate-related goals as they build a better, more sustainable world.”

UP EVP and Chief Human Resource Officer Beth Whited, one of Railway Age’s 2021 Women in Rail honorees

One of the 20 new UP units will be funded, in part, by a subaward from the Port of Los Angeles, according to UP. The Port in December received a $2.025 million Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to replace an older switcher with a battery-electric unit.

The new switcher is slated to run in the South Coast Air Basin rail yards. “The funds will be combined with $2,475,000 in leveraged funds” from the Port and UP, according to EPA.

“Our work with the Port of Los Angeles will help us cut emissions in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes four counties in Southern California,” said Beth Whited, UP Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, who oversees ESG efforts. “This work also will help our customers realize the benefit of moving goods by rail, reducing emissions by up to 75%.”

UP Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz

“We’re committed to actions that reduce Union Pacific’s environmental footprint as we work toward our ultimate goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050,” UP Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz said. “These investments will contribute to further developing this important technology and providing industry-wide benefits.”

UP published its first comprehensive Climate Action Plan in December 2021, outlining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In related developments, UP in August 2021 announced that its EMD 710 and 645 series locomotives could run with a higher biodiesel fuel blend content; Progress Rail approved using up to 20% biodiesel blend in its units.

Following are more Railway Age articles on alternate technology-powered locomotives:

Caterpillar, Chevron Team on Hydrogen Power

PHL to Test Progress Rail EMD® Joule

Southern Railway of BC Going ‘Green’ With Switcher Retrofit

Wabtec, GM Team on New Locomotive Power Systems

SERA To Build Hydrogen-Powered Switcher

BNSF/Wabtec BEL Pilot: The Results Are In and BNSF/Wabtec BEL Pilot Under Way

Zero-Emission Locomotives on U.S. Railways?

Fuel Cells and Batteries: The Future of Mobility?

The ‘H’ Factor

CP Embarks on Hydrogen Locomotive Pilot (With more information here: 2021 Railroader of the Year: Keith Creel, Canadian Pacific, CP Hydrogen Locomotive Pilot Powered by Ballard, CP’s Hydrogen Locomotive Powers Up)

Hydrogen Strategy for Canada’s Railways

OptiFuel Producing Natural Gas Switchers

Cummins QSK95 for Freight

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