Norfolk Southern unveils all-battery locomotive
ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA - Rail hauler Norfolk Southern Corp. unveiled a battery-powered prototype locomotive for use in its Pennsylvania rail yard, and the company said it has its eye on hybrid long-haul trains next.
The 1,500 horsepower locomotive, dubbed NS 999, will be used to move cars around the rail yard, Norfolk Southern said. It uses 1,080 rechargeable 12-volt lead acid batteries to store power, and can run for about a day on a charge. It also recharges using the energy from braking.
The battery-only operation gives the train zero exhaust emissions.
Low-horsepower locomotives like the new electric one are typically used in rail yards. Norfolk Southern will next be turning its attention to hybrid diesel-and-electric locomotives for long-haul trips, said Gerhard Thelen, Norfolk Southern's vice president of operation planning and support. He runs the research and testing department that designed the new battery-powered locomotive.
A hybrid locomotive for long-haul use would run on a mix of electricity and a diesel engine, and it would channel energy from braking back to the batteries, Thelen said. The company is aiming to test such a locomotive by the end of next year.
"We're looking forward to applying this technology in regular service," he said.
The Norfolk, Va.-based company built the battery-powered prototype at its Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona. It said it developed the prototype in partnership with the Energy Department, the Federal Railroad Administration, and Pennsylvania State University.
Related News

Gulf Power to Provide One-Time Bill Decrease of 40%
PENSCOLA - Gulf Power announced that the Florida Public Service Commission unanimously approved its request to issue a one-time decrease of approximately 40% for the typical residential customer bill beginning May 1. Business customers will also see a significant one-time decrease of approximately 40-55% in May, depending on usage and rate class.
"We are pleased that the Florida Public Service Commission has approved our request to deliver this savings to our customers when they need it most. We felt that this was the right thing to do, especially during times like these," said Gulf Power President Marlene Santos. "Our customers and…