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BNSF leads the charge on testing battery electric locomotive
- dredmorbius 7y agoThe concept here is a battery-powered locomotive to be used in conjunction in a set ("consist") with conventional diesel-electric traction units. There should be some gains including capacity to provide traction and idle fuel-based traction especially in rail yards. The article omits mention of direct electrification of freight rail, a long-standing concept that's been largely rejected in the US for numerous reasons (I'll see if I can track down references on this). The short version: there's a lot of trackage, much of it remote from any generating source, and the vast masses and long grades involved make ensuring power quality a challenge. The thought occurs that batter-based traction plus electrification might address this in part, especially allowing for a boost to climbing and regenerative capture on grade descents which would otherwise pose grid challenges. The article does not discuss either possiblity, as it avoids the topic entirely. It also avoids mention of the frequently-cited fact that freight rail achieves efficiencies of up to 500 ton-miles per gallon, second only to marine shipping as the most efficient form of transport yet developed. Rail's performance is already exemplary. Improvements remain welcomed.