Wabtec has signed a $1.2 billion contract with American railroad Union Pacific to modernise its type AC4400 locomotives.

This is the largest investment in upgrading locomotives in the history of railways and follows a previous order with Union Pacific made in 2022, which is scheduled to be completed later this year. By modernising and upgrading its fleet, Union Pacific aims to improve its operational efficiency, reliability, and network performance.

Benefits from modernisation include extending the useful life of Union Pacific’s fleet of locomotives, improving standardisation throughout the fleet, and the installation of next-generation control and diagnostics technologies. It is expected that, after modernisation and upgrading, the AC4400 locomotives will achieve an 80% improvement in reliability, a 5% reduction in fuel consumption, and a 14% increase in tractive effort.

To improve fuel consumption, all engines will be upgraded to FDL Advantage (FDLA) standards and LOCOTROL Expanded Architecture, which supports the safe and efficient operation of longer trains. To enhance the locomotive fleet’s data, diagnostics and software capabilities, a new modular control architecture featuring a suite of Wabtec’s hardware and digital innovations will also be installed.

This is Wabtec’s fourth major modernisation contract from Union Pacific since 2018. Work will start in 2027 and will be carried out at Wabtec’s facilities in the USA. Once the programme is complete, more than 1,700 Union Pacific locomotives will have been upgraded.

In January, Wabtec Corporation signed a contract with Indian Railways for servicing its locomotives at the Siliguri Maintenance Shed in West Bengal, India, and secured a $386 million order from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York for hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives.

We are committed to delivering the service we sold to our customers, and one way we do that is having great American-made locomotives that can get the job done. These redesigned locomotives will be just like new, providing the improved fuel efficiency and enhanced reliability that we need to grow with our customers and to win new business.

Jim Vena, Union Pacific CEO

“Our continued partnership with Union Pacific reflects a steady, forward-looking investment that positions the railroad and its customers for continued success. By enhancing our proven locomotive platforms with advanced propulsion, controls and diagnostics, this program delivers substantial gains in performance, reliability and lifecycle value, allowing the railroad to unlock maximum efficiency and capability for its existing fleet.”

Rafael Santana, Wabtec President and CEO