[sandeepmohan]

Wabtec's battery electric locomotive is a innovative new approach to hauling freight on US rail road. The design of the locomotive is such that is offers assistance to the main diesel haulers for starting loads and to improve balancing speeds. Power Output is supposed to be in the region of 4400 hp and can last up to 40 minutes. Charging via a wayside station or Dynamic Braking. 20,000 lithium ion battery cells with an energy capacity of 2400 kilowatt hours.

Roy Hill mining will be the first customer outside of the USA to receive an upgraded version of the FLX Drive locomotive in 2023.

We have some retired WAM and WAG series locomotives that have been converted to hybrid operation by their respective sheds. However; their use is limited to shunting operations.

Some You Tube footage of the locomotive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4KZXn_G0wI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br5QTsMhui0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y72Zppbgaew

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqPRLD5sCiM

[RedTerrano]

I am confused.

When electric train technology already exists, what is the need to insert this additional step of using the same electricity to charge batteries which in turn drive the train?

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by RedTerrano

When electric train technology already exists, what is the need to insert this additional step of using the same electricity to charge batteries which in turn drive the train?

Different situation and dynamic in the United States where most of their rail way lines are not electrified. Is the same in Australia too, where they intend to use such a locomotive. Freight haul is 100% behind a diesel in the United States. Ideally; you'd want to push for electrification but the lobby has always been against it. I hear Biden is a train man so this might change, though I think his focus is on Amtrak, not BNSF and CSX who are the big freight operators.

[srini1785]

Originally Posted by RedTerrano

I am confused.

When electric train technology already exists, what is the need to insert this additional step of using the same electricity to charge batteries which in turn drive the train?

Its a hybrid. The main engine would still be diesel however the electric would take over at lower speeds. This is very similar to Toyota Prius. City driving by electric while highway is by ICE. The transition would be smooth.

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Wabtec's battery electric locomotive is a innovative new approach to hauling freight on US rail road. The design of the locomotive is such that is offers assistance to the main diesel haulers for starting loads and to improve balancing speeds.

[Rahul Rao]

Originally Posted by RedTerrano

When electric train technology already exists, what is the need to insert this additional step of using the same electricity to charge batteries which in turn drive the train?

Electrification needs OHE, and installing and maintaining it is very capital intensive. Except for very high density traffic like in suburban areas of major cities and a few large regions like India and parts of Western Europe, it does not justify, The aditional capital cost of OHE will never be recovered in the cost difference between Diesel and Electric.

Rahul

[A350XWB]

Originally Posted by srini1785

Its a hybrid. The main engine would still be diesel however the electric would take over at lower speeds. This is very similar to Toyota Prius. City driving by electric while highway is by ICE. The transition would be smooth.

To be more clear, it will be used in a consist (multiple locos connected together). The single locomotive is a BEL (Battery Electric Locomotive) and no diesel engine on it.

From the attached brochure:

While in the rail yard, the consist will shut down or idle the other locomotives (when possible) and use the BEL to reduce local emissions and noise. Once on the road, the locomotive consist will work behind the scenes to determine the best way to use the battery power. The consist also could choose to “graze” on battery power when the train is cruising through open landscape, saving hundreds of gallons of diesel. The locomotive will recharge in operation through the energy generated from dynamic breaking.