Two battery-electric locomotives (BELs) from Progress Rail’s Brazilian plant are bound for Fortescue’s mining operations in the Pilbara region of Australia.
The EMD® Joule series units are due for arrival in December, Fortescue reported late last month via social media. The Western Australia-based technology, energy and metals company placed the order with Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company, in 2022.
“Each [BEL] carries an impressive 14.5 MWh of energy, making them the largest battery-powered mobile assets in the world,” Fortescue said in its posts. “We’ve collaborated with Progress Rail to design a scalable, zero-emission rail solution that provides a pathway for heavy industry to decarbonise today, not tomorrow.” The units, it noted, will be “ready to hit the tracks and start cutting emissions from day one.”
Fortescue praised its “Rail Decarb team for bringing this vision to life and preparing the locomotives for their journey to Australia. A true example of what partnership and collaboration can achieve together.”
“We are excited to support Fortescue with our shared passion for safety and innovation,” Progress Rail commented in a social-media repost of Fortescue’s delivery announcement. “At Progress Rail, we’re proud to deliver advanced rail solutions, expand global partnerships, and invest in sustainable technologies that move the world forward.”
Separately, Anacostia Rail Holding’s Pacific Harbor Line is acquiring five zero-emission locomotives, building upon a successful first year of operations with its zero-emission Progress Rail EMD® Joule SD40JR BEL at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
