By Railfan & Railroad Staff

Wabtec and Australian mining company Roy Hill unveiled its first FLXdrive locomotive, the world’s first 100 percent battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotives for main line service, during a ceremony in Erie, Pa., on Tuesday. The locomotive will be shipped to Australia in 2024, where it will be put into active revenue service in the Pilbara region.

The locomotive has an energy capacity of seven megawatt hours and its battery will be charged by regenerative braking while it runs downhill for 214 miles to the port. It will then use that energy to return to the mine, where the cycle will begin again.

It takes up to 75 FLXdrive battery packs like this one to power one locomotive. —Otto M. Vondrak photo

“The FLXdrive locomotive represents not only a first for the Pilbara but a first for the mining industry. The technological smarts that have gone into the development of the locomotive make it well suited for our rail network,” said Gerhard Veldsman, Chief Executive Officer of Hancock Prospecting Group Operations, which owns Roy Hill.

“This FLXdrive locomotive represents a major step in the journey to a low-to-zero-emission future in the rail industry,” said Rafael Santana, president and CEO of Wabtec. “The FLXdrive is driven from within by our battery technology and the innovative spirit of our employees. Roy Hill is an ideal customer to partner with given their leadership and excellent operational record.”

New FLXdrive battery-powered locomotive on display at the Wabtec campus in Erie, Pa., on October 31. —Otto M. Vondrak photo

The locomotive has been painted in a striking pink and white to raise awareness about breast cancer, which is also strongly supported by the management of the Australian mining company. As part of the unveiling, Wabtec announced it was donating $50,000 to Linked By Pink, a local non-profit that assists breast cancer patients and their families in the Erie area.