Norfolk Southern 999 demonstrates commitment to making transportation cleaner and greener

Congratulations to everyone at Norfolk Southern's Juniata Locomotive Shop for your commitment to making transportation cleaner and greener. The NS-999 is a remarkable achievement.

The Juniata shop has done terrific job in pushing the envelope to get one of the first battery-powered locomotive engines in the country up and running. Today, I toured the shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with Congressman Bill Shuster as Norfolk Southern unveiled the latest in alternative energy locomotive technology.

I have to say, the folks there have really turned out something cutting-edge. The NS 999 cranks out 1500 horsepower relying solely on rechargeable batteries. And, it releases no diesel exhaust emissions. None.

Even better, this project is also an example of strong partnerships, in this case a joint effort of the Dept. of Energy, DOT's Federal Railroad Administration, Norfolk Southern, and Penn State University.

By working together to develop alternative energy sources and innovative technologies like this electric locomotive, partnerships like this one will make tomorrow's transportation more sustainable and energy-efficient.

The Obama Administration has put transportation at the center of our efforts to reduce energy dependence and address climate change, and solving those challenges will require the kind of creativity the Norfolk Southern 999 partnership demonstrated today.

I'm proud of the Federal Railroad Administration's investment in this partnership, and I look forward to building on this success.

Comments

[Guy H. Hillman]

This way to late. RailPower tried to make battery powered locomotives for years. Their "Green Goats" made great "Roman Candles". I know because we bought 5 for the US Army and not one is running today.

[Naomi]

Very cool. This is great progress. Now if we can just get more train transportation, esp. high-speed. I travel from San Diego to Phoenix and Las Vegas every other month. It would be great to have a more environmentally-friendly alternative.

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is great news. It proves that equipment can be developed that not only works in the transportation system but is pollution free, too. We need more programs like this one. The Norfolk Southern locomotive is all-electric powered and produces no fumes in its operation. Burlington Northern-Santa Fe has just put an all hydrogen power switch engine in service in Los Angeles where the only exhaust is pure water vapor. THe BNSF engine can also operate as a mobile emergency power plant if needed. These are all positive signs of change. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Noel Petit]

This is NOT a battery powered locomotive. It is a coal/nuclear/natural gass/hydro powered locomotive. Most of the power comes from coal and this will not reduce green house gases as it is charged up each night.

[David Morse]

I can imagine a version of this puppy converted for commuter rail, say on the Nashville Music City Star line. Granted, its got half the horsies of a regular F40, but they're only pulling 2-3 coaches anyway. The neighbors might appreciate the lower exhaust.

The next step appears to be to wed it with overhead electrification on uphill slopes. That provides power boost when its needed most and intermittent recharging.

[Jim Rockford]

Biggest waste ever....Acid and lead is not environmentally friendly. The heavy metals used in battery construction is 100X worse than any little bit of smoke from a regular locomotive..and it still need to waste the limited amount of consumer electricity that we don't have enough of already to charge the POS when its not running.

[NYCJIM]

Question: How long can this unit perform until it needs to recharge? I'm just wondering weather or not it will stay charged enough for at least one crew shift.... Hummmm

[kevin]

This is great news. It would be great to have a more environmentally-friendly alternative.

[serial numbers]

he Norfolk Southern locomotive is all-electric powered and produces no fumes in its operation. Burlington Northern-Santa Fe has just put an all hydrogen power switch engine in service in Los Angeles where the only exhaust is pure water vapor.

[qlhgijh Boiyefiu]

NS 999 is an entirely electric locomotive that uses a lead-acid energy storage system comprised of 1,080 12-volt batteries to operate in railroad switching applications without the use of a diesel engine and with zero exhaust emissions. The plug-in locomotive also can regenerate dynamic braking energy through a system provided by Brookville Equipment Company. The recovered dynamic braking energy continually replenishes the energy storage system, and uses this recovered energy for tractive effort in rail operations. The batteries are carefully monitored and controlled through an elaborate battery management system to assure safety and maximum battery life, and when fully charged NS 999 is able to operate three shifts before recharging is required.