The agreement will transform the remaining AC4400 locomotives in CSX’s fleet providing improved fuel efficiency, reliability, utilisation, and tractive effort.
The agreement will transform the remaining AC4400 locomotives in CSX’s fleet providing improved fuel efficiency, reliability, utilisation, and tractive effort.
“This modernisation order is part of our commitment to deliver excellence for our customers, shareholders, employees, and communities,” said Mike Cory, CSX executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Wabtec’s modernisation program enables us to maximise the capabilities of our existing fleet. The upgrades will improve asset reliability allowing us to move more freight with fewer locomotives, which also will help reduce our carbon emissions footprint.”
CSX’s fleet modernisation effort is part of the railroad’s expanded use of innovative fuel-saving locomotive technologies and supplier engagement to achieve its sustainability goals. This order will continue upgrading the AC4400 locomotives in CSX’s fleet delivering enhanced operational performance and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“The modernisations will enable CSX to maximise the value of its existing AC4400 fleet,” said Gina Trombley, Wabtec executive vice president of sales and marketing, and chief commercial officer – Americas. “By installing state-of-the-art technology on these locomotives, we are helping to improve locomotive performance, fuel efficiency, and reliability, while also reducing on-going maintenance costs. This modernised fleet is well-positioned to support CSX’s long-term sustainability and service goals.”
CSX’s over 200 modernised locomotives will feature a suite of Wabtec hardware innovations, such as the FDL Advantage (FDLA) engine upgrade, and digital solutions, like LOCOTROL Expanded Architecture (LXA). Those technologies will work to enable the locomotives to deliver up to 8% fuel savings and carbon reduction. The modernisations will strive to provide approximately 170 tons of carbon reduction per locomotive per year. It is Wabtec’s goal for CSX’s total order to realise approximately 35,000 tons in annual carbon reductions. Achieving those reductions would be the equivalent of removing emissions from nearly 8,000 passenger cars per year.
Additionally, the modernisations will extend the locomotives’ lives for several more years. It also will target to provide an increase in reliability by up to 35% and tractive effort by up to 14%. CSX’s AC4400 fleet will have greater availability and increased capabilities at reduced operating costs.
Wabtec will do the modernisation work at its locomotive plants in the United States from 2024 - 2028. The contract is in addition to the 260 modernisations that CSX previously ordered, the majority of which have already been delivered.