Wabtec to Modernize 330 Norfolk Southern Locomotives
March 23 2022 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Extended partnership furthers railroad’s
sustainability, fuel efficiency efforts
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) announced today an additional
multi-year order from Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) to modernize 330
locomotives as part of its continued partnership. This deal is part
of Norfolk Southern’s ongoing efforts to further improve fuel
efficiency and reduce emissions from its fleet. With each
modernized locomotive, Norfolk Southern’s carbon emissions are
reduced by more than 500 tons per year. The deal marks the third
major modernization order from the railroad since 2015, making it
the largest modernized fleet in North America, with more than 950
locomotives upon completion in 2025.
“Modernizing locomotives in our fleet will improve operational
performance and reliability,” said Tom Schnautz, Vice President
Advanced Train Control for Norfolk Southern. “Importantly, it will
also help us achieve our science-based target of a 42% reduction in
emissions intensity by 2034. Wabtec’s proven modernization program
allows us to maximize the value of our locomotives, minimize the
use of new materials, and reduce the environmental impact of our
operations.”
Wabtec will modernize D9-44CW locomotives that are more than 20
years old and transform them into AC44C6Ms, which will add another
20 years of incremental life to each locomotive. The modernized
locomotives will feature the FDL Advantage engine upgrade and a
suite of digital solutions including Trip Optimizer, SmartHPT, and
Distributed Power. The modernizations will yield significant
dividends per locomotive, including fuel efficiency improved by as
much as 25%; a more than 40% increase in reliability; haulage
ability increased by up to 55%; and a reduction of maintenance,
repair, and overhaul expenses by 20%.
“Wabtec has developed a portfolio of modular technologies for a
variety of retrofit solutions for middle-aged locomotives. This has
been done in a strategic way, analyzing the fleet and needs of our
customers. Our modernization program allows Norfolk Southern to
enhance its existing fleet by bringing the aging locomotives’
performance to the latest standards,” said Pascal Schweitzer,
President of Wabtec Freight Services. “By customizing these
modernizations for Norfolk Southern and installing state-of-the-art
technology, we are helping the railroad realize outcomes including
increased tractive effort, fuel efficiency, reliability and
adhesion, which reduce maintenance costs.”
Wabtec’s modernization program is a key component of Wabtec’s
sustainability efforts. It updates aging locomotives with
customized solutions that range from simple changes like control
system upgrades to complex restorations, such as the comprehensive
transformation of an aged DC locomotive into an AC locomotive
outfitted with state-of-the-art digital technology.
To date, Wabtec has delivered more than 1,100 modernized
locomotives in the Americas. The fuel efficiency benefits of these
locomotives have reduced carbon emissions by more than 1.4 million
tons since 2015. That reduction is the equivalent of removing the
emissions from 340,000 cars.
About Wabtec
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is focused on creating
transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The
company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital
solutions and value-added services for the freight and transit rail
industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets.
Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 150 years
and has a vision to achieve a zero-emission rail system in the U.S.
and worldwide. The company has approximately 27,000 employees
located at facilities in 50 countries throughout the world. Visit
Wabtec’s website at: www.wabteccorp.com.
About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s
premier transportation companies, moving the goods and materials
that drive the U.S. economy. Norfolk Southern connects customers to
markets and communities to economic opportunity, with safe,
reliable, and sustainable shipping solutions. The company’s service
area includes 22 states and the District of Columbia, every major
container port in the eastern United States, and a majority of the
U.S. population and manufacturing base. More information on the
company’s sustainability strategy can be found here:
http://www.norfolksouthern.com/betterplanet.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220323005266/en/
Wabtec Media Inquiries: Tim Bader, 682-319-7925 or
tim.bader@wabtec.com
Wabtec Investor Inquiries: Kristine Kubacki, CFA,
412-450-2033 or kristine.kubacki@wabtec.com
Norfolk Southern Media Inquiries: Media Relations,
404-420-4444 or media.relations@nscorp.com
Norfolk Southern Investor Inquiries: Meghan Achimasi,
470-867-4807 or meghan.achimasi@nscorp.com
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