Union Pacific begins testing Wabtec battery-electric locomotives

Union Pacific has taken delivery of two Wabtec FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives in Southern California. These units represent the first of four locomotives ordered by the railroad, with the remaining two expected to arrive in October.

The locomotives will undergo testing in the greater Los Angeles area, covering various railroad operations including switching duties and local customer service. Each unit is equipped with approximately 7,000 battery cells, providing roughly 2.7 megawatt-hours of energy storage and producing zero tailpipe emissions during operation.

Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena stated that testing these emerging technologies in actual railroad operations helps the company understand future possibilities and avoid being left behind as the industry evolves. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize operations, improve efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.