Progress Rail has signed an agreement with Norfolk Southern (NS) to retrofit 96 EMD SD70M-2 locomotives, which involves converting them from DC to AC traction.
The SD70ICC locomotives enhance operational efficiency by offering greater power, increased reliability, and higher traction capacity. Thanks to the modernized design, three modernized SD70ICC locomotives can now do the work of four previous-generation SD70M-2 locomotives, allowing NS to transport the same amount of freight with fewer locomotives, reducing fuel consumption and improving performance.
“These conversions are a concrete example of how we are modernizing our locomotive fleet to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations in the long term. By switching to AC traction, we are strengthening the network’s resilience, improving fuel efficiency, and extending the lifespan of our assets, while providing customers with greater transport capacity and consistent service—essential for supporting their own growth and sustainability goals,” said Brian Barr, vice president of mechanical operations and chief mechanical officer at Norfolk Southern.
What the conversion from DC to AC traction entails
Through the conversion from DC to AC traction, the modernization carried out by Progress Rail will include: Through the conversion from DC to AC traction, the platform developed by Progress Rail, based on the Individual Axle Control (IAC) system, offers improved traction and superior performance in challenging conditions. The conversion from DC to AC traction also reduces the need for unplanned maintenance of traction motors, increasing fleet availability.
- Individual axle control for superior traction;
- Caterpillar Advanced Diesel Engine Management (ADEM) system for improved performance:
- Remanufactured 16-cylinder EMD 710 engines delivering 4,300 horsepower.
Each SD70ICC retrofit includes a remanufactured 16-cylinder EMD 710 engine rated at 4,300 horsepower, along with updated control systems and Caterpillar Advanced Diesel Engine Management (ADEM) technology. Together, these retrofits can reduce unplanned downtime and generate significant fuel savings, depending on the operating cycle, without the higher capital investment or delivery times required for new locomotives.
The SD70ICC Tier 2+ AC-powered conversions, built from EMD SD70M-2 DC-powered locomotives, offer: “By modernizing its EMD SD70M-2 locomotives, Norfolk Southern is taking an important step toward a more efficient future. Our SD70ICC conversions deliver the performance and reliability that rail operators need, while also helping them meet their sustainability goals,” said Jack Zhang, executive vice president of locomotives at Progress Rail.
- Higher productivity: fewer locomotives are needed to haul a train.
- Increased reliability: The retrofits improve reliability by 40% and increase transport capacity by 55%.
- Extended service life: Each retrofit extends a locomotive’s service life by at least 20 years, resulting in significant savings compared to purchasing new locomotives.
- Fuel savings: Modernized locomotives are approximately 3% more fuel-efficient.
Deliveries will begin in 2027 and be completed in 2029. The phased approach of the program allows NS to gradually benefit from the advantages of the modernized units as they return to service. Standardization on the AC IAC traction platform also simplifies operations and long-term fleet planning, generating value throughout the locomotives’ lifecycle.
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