Wabtec

Recent rail news includes investments, technology purchases and cleanup fees.

The three have signed agreements committing to work together on developing advanced locomotive power technologies.

Significant investments in technology and equipment are required to optimize rail networks across the United States, according to Wabtec’s Nalin Jain.

The rail manufacturer has been modernizing locomotives to improve their fuel efficiency and longevity.

Two groups announced this month their separate efforts to increase supply chain visibility. One technology tool focuses on locating railcars and another aims to forecast volumes at the Port of Los Angeles.

CSX will be using Wabtec’s technology aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency for locomotives.

Wabtec and General Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and commercialize GM’s advanced battery technology and its fuel cell technology for Wabtec’s locomotives.

Wabtec’s battery-electric locomotive can reduce a train’s fuel consumption by 11%, a three-month study involving the company, BNSF and the San Joaquin Pollution Control District found.

A market recovery is underway for railcar lessors and equipment manufacturers, but the market also has a ways to go before it bounces back completely, according to industry observations.

Wabtec is working with railroad customers to transition from diesel power to cut emissions.

Wabtec’s chief technology officer chats with FreightWaves about ways technology can help the freight rail industry decarbonize.

Rail technology provider Wabtec plans to acquire Nordco as Wabtec eyes the railcar mover market and the technologies associated with it.

Wabtec, short line operator Genesee & Wyoming and Carnegie Mellon aim to establish public-private institute that would research, demonstrate and commercialize advanced freight rail technology.

The AAR released climate policy proposals encouraging partnerships and market solutions that promote competition and carbon capture, utilization and storage technology.

Prospective North American and international customers are inquiring about Wabtec’s battery electric, heavy-haul locomotive, which is undergoing advanced tests with BNSF. The company reported its fourth-quarter results on Thursday.

AAR disregards that straight electric locomotives are easier to maintain. Plus each electric locomotive could be as powerful as perhaps two diesel-electric units.

BNSF and Wabtec conduct advanced tests on a battery-electric locomotive by putting it in service in California with two Tier 4 diesel locomotives.

Wabtec shares its “30 by 30” strategy for combating climate change. Greenbrier plans to track its emissions and energy intensity in 2021.

The international market for freight rail services and equipment is pulling ahead of the North American market, but that should catch up eventually, Wabtec said during its third-quarter earnings call.

The rail equipment and technology provider is one of many companies that have laid off or furloughed employees because of the lower-volume environment exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.