CPKC to buy 65 new locomotives from Progress Rail

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the location of Wabtec's Texas plant. It's in Fort Worth, not Dallas.

CPKC and Progress Rail yesterday announced an agreement in which the railroad will buy 65 new EMD^® SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 freight locomotives. Progress Rail will build the locomotives at its plant in Muncie, Indiana.

CPKC officials expect to take delivery of 30 locomotives in the second half of this year, according to a CPKC press release.

This latest generation of EMD Tier 4 locomotives provides improved reliability, serviceability and fuel efficiency, delivering an estimated 5% to 7% improvement in fuel economy compared to the first-generation Tier 4 units, Progress Rail officials said in a separate press release. The locomotives will feature Progress Rail’s Talos^™ energy management system, which is powered by artificial intelligence and is certified by the EPA to deliver a 12.3% efficiency gain, they said.

The agreement with Progress Rail is part of CPKC's commitment to renew its locomotive fleet through a more than $800 million investment in American manufacturing capacity, CPKC officials said. Last year, CPKC completed the purchase of 100 Wabtec Tier 4 locomotives built in Texas. 

"We are investing in our road locomotive fleet for growth and to maintain our industry-leading service for our customers and the North American economy, powered by a fleet with improved reliability and fuel efficiency," said CPKC Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Redd.

This month, CPKC officials anticipate receiving the first two of 70 Wabtec Evolution Series ET44AC Tier 4 locomotives being built this year for CPKC at Wabtec's manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas.