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2/27/2025
The Association of American Railroads yesterday released a study that highlights the financial, operational and infrastructure challenges of transitioning the U.S. freight-rail network to overhead catenary electrification.
Commissioned by AAR, the study underscores the need for continued alternative fuel research, AAR officials said in a press release. The study estimates the cost to electrify the nation’s 139,000-mile freight-rail network at $1.1 trillion, and outlines "significant energy demands, reliability concerns, and other operational challenges that render catenary electrification infeasible for U.S. freight operations," they said.
Key challenges to implementing catenary electrification include reliability risks, a strain on the nation's energy grid, and regulatory and safety hurdles, according to the study.
The rail industry is testing emerging technologies such as battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell locomotives that can potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants. A scalable zero-emissions path has not yet emerged, AAR officials noted in the press release.
In the meantime, railroads are leveraging fuel optimization software and anti-idling technology, testing biodiesel and renewable diesel, and exploring fuel additives to lower emissions. Railroads also are upgrading locomotives to higher emission-reduction tiers when practical to help advance sustainability by using today’s available solutions, according to AAR.
“Railroads continue to identify and invest in technologies that will make the industry more sustainable and resilient,” said Senior Vice President of Safety and Operations Michael Rush. "This study puts to bed any notions that catenary is a viable solution. Now is the time to focus investments and attention on alternatives that can truly work for freight rail.”