Norfolk Southern (NS) and Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, are collaborating to upgrade 96 DC-traction NS locomotives to AC. Deliveries will start in 2027 and be completed in 2029.
Each upgrade from Progress Rail will feature:
- Individual axle control “for superior traction.”
- Diesel Engine Management (ADEM®) “for improved performance.”
- Remanufactured 16‑cylinder EMD 710 engines producing 4,300 horsepower.
The SD70ICC Tier 2+ AC traction conversions from EMD® SD70M-2 DC, NS says, deliver:
- “Stronger productivity: Fewer engines needed to pull a train.
- “Reliability gains: The upgrades improve reliability by 40% and increase haulage capacity by 55%.
- “Each conversion extends a locomotive’s life by at least 20 years, with significant savings compared to the cost of buying new.
- “Fuel savings: The conversions are 3% more fuel efficient.”
NS’s modernization roadmap includes new locomotives, a DC-to-AC program and a “push to reduce engine models from 13 to four over the next decade,” the Class I noted. Fewer models mean “lower maintenance costs, simplified training and tooling, and greater operational consistency,” according to NS, which, in 2025, led the industry in Fly Rate, “a key measure of mechanical performance, achieving a rate of 1.14, well below the industry benchmark.”
Today, nearly 90% of the company’s in service road fleet locomotives are AC traction, and the entire fleet uses energy management software, “making NS the only railroad using the fuel efficiency technology across its entire fleet,” according to the Class I.
“By modernizing existing units, Norfolk Southern is taking a significant step toward a more efficient future. Our SD70ICC conversions deliver the performance and reliability railroads need while helping them meet their sustainability goals. This order underscores Progress Rail’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that help customers strengthen performance across their network,” said Progress Rail Locomotive EVP Jack Zhang.
“These conversions are a tangible example of how we’re modernizing our fleet to drive safe, reliable, and efficient operations for the long term. By upgrading to AC traction, we’re strengthening network resilience, improving fuel efficiency, and extending the life of our assets—while giving our customers greater haulage capacity and the consistent service they need to support their own growth and sustainability goals,” said NS VP, Mechanical and Chief Mechanical Officer Brian Barr.
