Canadian Pacific Buys 35 Hybrid Locomotives

14 March 2005

Canadian Pacific Railway is purchasing 35 Green Goat series hybrid switch locomotives over a four-year period from RailPower Technologies of Vancouver. The companies signed a letter of intent last November, but the Buyer—CPR—remained unnamed until now. (Earlier post.)

Under the agreement, seven of CPR’s yard locomotives will be converted in 2005 and used at CPR's Calgary operations as part of more rigorous long-term testing.  Another 28 Green Goats would be converted over the following three years if the first hybrids meet performance guarantees.

CPR’s current yard fleet consists of approximately 220 low-horsepower locomotives built in the 1950s.

Switching locomotives (“goats”) are the mainstay of rail yards and really heavy industries. They join, separate and move railcars from track to track as needed, or transfer cars to and from regional carriers. Typically, they use 1,500–2,240 hp diesel engines, travel short distances at low speeds, make frequent stops and idle otherwise.  All of this results in a great deal of inefficient fuel consumption, with large amounts of emissions. There are some 10,000 switch locomotives currently active in North America.

The Green Goat hybrid locomotives, by contrast, generate the tractive equivalent of 2,240 hp by combining a Caterpillar C9 8.8-liter, inline 6-cylinder diesel engine with a large bank of valve-regulated lead acid batteries. The 600V battery bank, specifically designed by RailPower, is maintenance free, has a long battery life, and high round trip efficiency. The added weight of the lead acid bank helps to improve the tractive effort or “pull.” This is a different situation than the auto industry where weight is a major issue.

The Green Goat® technology offers potential for a cost-effective solution to renewing CPR’s yard locomotive fleet. Our studies indicate operating cost savings approaching $4 million annually should we acquire all 35 Green Goat hybrids.  In addition, the capital cost is significantly lower than acquiring new locomotives and is competitive with acquiring used conventional locomotives.

—Neal Foot, Senior Vice-President of Operations for CPR

Operating cost savings would be generated by lower maintenance requirements and fuel consumption, as well as higher productivity.  CPR tests indicate the Green Goat is as much as 60% more fuel-efficient than conventional yard locomotives with a commensurate reduction in greenhouse gases.  The hybrid uses plug-and-play modular components that can be quickly replaced in the field, minimizing in-shop repair time and increasing fleet utilization.

The Green Goat meets the US EPA Tier 2 standards for particulate matter in exhaust emissions, which came into force in 2005.  RailPower Technologies says its Green Goat reduces NO_x and diesel PM by as much as 90%, compared with conventional yard locomotives.

In a separate development, California’s Air Resources Board has designated the Green Goat as an Ultra Low Emission Locomotive (“ULEL”).  The Green Goat hybrid switcher is the only locomotive to be given this designation.