3 ms·
Related: Fortescue slashes electric train program but insists zero emissions 'on track' September 04 2025 - https://www.boilingcold.com.au/fortescue-slashes-e
by defrost 10mo ago
Related:
Fortescue slashes electric train program but insists zero emissions 'on track'
September 04 2025 - https://www.boilingcold.com.au/fortescue-slashes-electric-train-program-but-insists-zero-emissions-on-track/ https://www.boilingcold.com.au/fortescue-slashes-electric-tr...
Three years after Andrew Forrest pressed go to develop an electric "Infinity Train," most of the experienced engineers who joined Fortescue's zero-emissions crusade are laid off as the miner goes back to the drawing board on how to have fossil-fuel-free locomotives by 2030.
The engineers concluded that battery electric locomotives may be able to haul vast amounts of iron ore, eliminating 10 per cent of Fortescue's emissions, but the knock-on effects on its immense $21 billion a year integrated mine to rail to port iron ore business were unacceptable.
And: https://zero.fortescue.com/en/case-studies/infinity-train https://zero.fortescue.com/en/case-studies/infinity-train .. 404 Page not found.
Looked good for a while there: Fortescue rides the Infinity Train - https://www.electrive.com/2025/07/01/fortescue-rides-the-infinity-train/ https://www.electrive.com/2025/07/01/fortescue-rides-the-inf...
- johnthesecure 10mo agoTwo prototypes now operating (15 Dec 2025): https://electrek.co/2025/12/15/fortescue-infinity-train-electric-locomotive-never-needs-fuel-or-charging/ https://electrek.co/2025/12/15/fortescue-infinity-train-elec...
- defrost 10mo agoPrototypes were always going to be operating, there have been prototypes of one form or another in the multi billion per annum iron ore mining business since 1970 at least. The key from the earlier article (by a few months) was that the greater in house BEL program is being scaled back as : engineering studies revealed that insufficient power was generated on the downhill leg to return the train to the mine, according to numerous engineers who have not been authorised to speak to the media and have informed this story. The team developed two solutions to the problem, but they both had unacceptable implications for Fortescue's core business of shipping vast quantities of iron ore to Asia. ( See link for further discussion: https://www.boilingcold.com.au/fortescue-slashes-electric-train-program-but-insists-zero-emissions-on-track/ https://www.boilingcold.com.au/fortescue-slashes-electric-tr... ) So the prototypes are delivered as ordered and will be put to use, but for now at least they won't be making any significant impact WRT the ongoing daily kilometre+ long heavy rail transport operations.