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1/22/2026
Norfolk Southern Railway today announced it will acquire 40 new ES44AC locomotives from Wabtec as part of the railroad's fleet modernization plan.
They are the first new locomotives the Class I has purchased since 2022. The new units are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026, NS officials said in their "Story Yard" post.
After they are built by Wabtec, the locomotives will be delivered to the NS shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for final preparation.
Built to NS' specifications, the locomotives will feature the newest generation of control systems, which enable real-time remote diagnostics and live operational views, like an IT department accessing a computer screen. That innovation will help reduce delays by spotting potential issues before they become larger problems, NS officials said.
The locomotives will be equipped with Wabtec's Evolution Series diesel engines, which are designed to save fuel and lower operating costs. By retiring older units, NS will continue to create momentum gained from its DC-to-AC modernization program, company officials said.
NS is using emissions credits it has earned with Wabtec to acquire the new locomotives, said Kriss Beudjekian, NS' senior director of enterprise resources.