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Reply to "WabTec Sells 10 FLXdrive Battery Locomotives to Union Pacific"

@Hot Water posted:
How would a current diesel electric unit be able to be plugged into the battery unit? There is no HEP on freight units.

Hmmm...

I'll admit, I was assuming there would be connections similar to slug units which could also feed a charging circuit.  If the battery locomotive is "on it's own" as it were, that changes the equation, allowing for the possibility of the battery unit to "run out of juice" while in a consist over the road.

It will be interesting to see how these things perform in actual day to day operation.

If you read the WabTec story it seems the locomotives are primarily intended for use for yard duty. I would guess it is straightforward to keep them charged there.

The information as I understand it is the Wabtec FLXdrives will be working in consists MU'ed with diesels over the road.

Looks like the Caterpillar/Progressive Rail units will be assigned to yard duty, judging by their design, unless that changes.

We'll have to wait until UP takes delivery and any infrastructure they add to see exactly how these things will be used.

Rusty

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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