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4/9/2026
Progress Rail has completed delivery of four EMD SD70ACe-Tier 4 locomotives to Lake State Railway Co. (LSRC), helping to support the Michigan-based short line's sustainability goals.
The new units are more fuel efficient and feature Progress Rail's Uptime IQ analytics platform, which helps operators use data-driven maintenance planning to keep locomotives running longer and more reliably, Progress Rail officials said in a press release.
With the receipt of the new locomotives, LSRC is retiring five legacy locomotives, which have an average service age of 40 years. LSRC's other sustainability initiatives include idle-reduction technologies, a recycling program, waste-oil heating at its locomotive facility and participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program, Progress Rail officials said.
These efforts, combined with LSRC's distinction as the first short line operating new high-power Tier 4 units, contributed to LSRC being named the recipient of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's 2026 Green Spark Award, they said. LSRC will be honored at the ASLRRA's annual conference next week in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, Progress Rail has also entered an agreement with Triton Group to become the exclusive seller and marketer of Triton's composite railroad ties.
The ties are designed for high-decay, high-load and high-humidity regions where wood deteriorates more quickly. They help to reduce maintenance costs, extend service life and support sustainability goals, Progress Rail officials said.
The companies will support railroads through site evaluations, pilot installations, engineering reviews and deployment, they said.