Norfolk Southern and Wabtec to Convert 33 Locomotives to AC Traction
Key Takeaways
- •Norfolk Southern and Wabtec will convert 33 ES44DC locomotives into AC-traction ES44ACMs under a modernization program.
- •The conversions include upgraded control systems and digital features such as enhanced diagnostics and maintenance planning.
- •Work will be performed at Wabtec's Fort Worth, Texas, and Erie, Pennsylvania, facilities, with the program continuing through 2027.
- •Since 2015, Norfolk Southern and Wabtec have completed more than 1,000 DC-to-AC locomotive conversions.
- •AC traction provides better low-speed pulling power, adhesion, and lifecycle economics than DC propulsion without requiring new locomotive purchases.
Norfolk Southern and Wabtec Corp. have announced a modernization program under which 33 of the railroad's ES44DC locomotives will be converted into AC-traction ES44ACMs.
"This investment will improve reliability, increase efficiency, and extend locomotive life, helping us deliver safe, dependable service for customers," NS (NYSE: NSC) Chief Operating Officer Brian Barr said in a release. "Together with Wabtec (NYSE: WAB), we're continuing to invest in technologies that improve fleet performance and maximize the value of existing assets."
Beyond the switch to AC traction, the project includes upgraded control systems and advanced digital technology. According to the companies, the modernized locomotives will deliver higher productivity with lower lifecycle maintenance requirements. Digital features will include enhanced locomotive diagnostics and maintenance planning.
"This new modernization program underscores the strength of our longstanding partnership with Norfolk Southern and our shared focus on delivering operational value," said Sameer Gaur, president of Wabtec's Freight Services. "By combining innovative technology, engineering excellence, and deep service expertise, we're helping our customers maximize the value of their assets while positioning their fleet for the future."
Railroads typically convert older DC-traction locomotives to AC traction because AC propulsion offers substantially better low-speed pulling power, adhesion, reliability, and lifecycle economics — without requiring the purchase of an entirely new locomotive. Locomotive modernization has become a common fleet strategy across North American Class I railroads, which have increasingly emphasized asset utilization and cost control in recent years. For Wabtec, aftermarket services and modernization programs are a recurring segment of its Freight Services business alongside new-locomotive builds.
The work will be carried out at Wabtec's facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and Erie, Pa. The first locomotive was shipped to Norfolk Southern this month, and the program will continue through 2027.
Norfolk Southern was the launch customer for the ES44DC in 2004. Since 2015, the railroad and the manufacturer have collaborated on more than 1,000 DC-to-AC locomotive conversions.
Source: FreightWaves
