Locomotive prototype testing expected in late 2023
OMAHA,
Neb., Oct. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific
Railroad and ZTR, a green technology company and leader in
locomotive control systems, today announced a partnership to build
hybrid-electric locomotives. The locomotives will be built at Union
Pacific's North Little Rock,
Arkansas, facility with the first prototype expected to be
delivered in late 2023 and five additional units arriving in
2024.
The locomotives work much like today's plug-in hybrid car,
capable of operating in multiple modes with several ways to charge
the locomotive batteries including wayside and onboard
charging.
"Adding hybrid-electric locomotives to our fleet is another
important step for Union Pacific as we work to explore 'drop-in'
technologies that modify current systems and reduce our carbon
footprint", said Union Pacific's Senior Vice President of
Engineering and Mechanical Shane
Keller. "This pilot will help make our fleet more fuel
efficient and further advance our commitment to reaching our
sustainability goals, while testing the technology's capability for
expanded use across our locomotive fleet."
Known as "mother-slug" sets, two locomotives are replaced with
one diesel locomotive connected to an accessory or slug. In keeping
with its sustainability commitments, Union Pacific converts older
locomotives, typically with higher emissions. The slug unit will be
converted and equipped with batteries, power electronics and
controls supplied by ZTR. This helps achieve fuel and maintenance
savings and offers environmental benefits allowing the
hybrid-electric "mother-slug" to operate in single engine, battery
charging or electric only modes.
As the new locomotives will be used chiefly for yard operations,
the engineless slug increases traction motors available to the
locomotive, boosting the pulling and braking power that is key for
this kind of work.
"ZTR is proud of our long-standing relationship with Union
Pacific and excited to partner with them on this hybrid-electric
locomotive development," said ZTR Control Systems President
Derek Shipley. "This investment
aligns well with our ongoing goal to leverage ZTR's technical
expertise to support railways in their decarbonization and
efficiency improvement efforts. This initial hybrid-electric
mother-slug application will be the basis of our design for future
hybrid-electric, long-haul and fully electric solutions."
Union Pacific began rolling out "mother-slug" sets with ZTR's
Nexsys control systems in 2017 and currently operates more than 65
in yards systemwide. Depending on the mode of operation, fuel
savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions could total up to
80%.
Railroads already are one of the most fuel-efficient means of
transportation. Moving freight by rail instead of truck reduces GHG
emissions by up to 75%. On average, Union Pacific moves a ton of
freight 463 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel.
Union Pacific published its first comprehensive Climate Action
Plan in December 2021, outlining
its efforts to significantly reduce emissions within its
operations. As part of that commitment, Union Pacific will reduce
absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 26% by 2030 and achieve net
zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Earlier this year, Union Pacific announced a historic agreement
with Wabtec Corporation for 600 locomotive modernizations, the
largest investment in modernized locomotives in rail industry
history valued at more than $1
billion, as well as the purchase of the world's largest
carrier-owned battery-electric locomotive fleet.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers
the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable
and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company
connects its customers and communities to the global economy.
Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move
freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More
information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
www.up.com
www.facebook.com/unionpacific
www.twitter.com/unionpacific
ABOUT ZTR
ZTR is globally recognized technology
company that supports locomotive and rail car owners in modernizing
their fleets to reduce fuel consumption, avoid emissions, increase
efficiency and extend asset life. ZTR is a leading supplier
of advanced control systems, intelligent starting technologies,
fuel management systems, energy management systems and Railway IoT
solutions for Locomotives, Rail Car and Maintenance of Way
equipment. More information on ZTR Control Systems is available at
www.ztr.com.
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SOURCE Union Pacific Railroad