CP To Employ Ballard Fuel Cells In Hydrogen Locomotive Project

Ballard Power Systems and Canadian Pacific announced today that CP will employ Ballard fuel cell modules in CP’s pioneering Hydrogen Locomotive Program. The modules will provide a total of 1.2 megawatts of electricity to power the locomotive.

Through its Hydrogen Locomotive Program, CP will develop North America’s first hydrogen-powered line-haul freight locomotive by retrofitting a formerly diesel-powered locomotive with Ballard hydrogen fuel cells. The fuel cells will work with battery technology to power the locomotive’s electric traction motors. Once operational, CP will conduct rail service trials and qualification testing to evaluate the technology’s readiness for the freight-rail sector.

Ballard plans to deliver six of its 200-kilowatt fuel cell modules to CP in 2021. Ballard will provide support to enable integration of the modules into the locomotive.

Randy MacEwen, Ballard President and CEO, noted, “We are excited to be working with CP, an industry leader in the North American rail sector. CP’s Hydrogen Locomotive Program will develop North America’s first hydrogen and fuel cell-powered line-haul freight locomotive. In addition to Ballard’s work focused on powering commuter trains in Europe and urban trams in China, CP’s Hydrogen Locomotive Program in North America underscores the strong fit for zero-emission fuel cells to power heavy- and medium-duty motive applications, including trains, for which it is otherwise difficult to abate emissions.”

-via Press Release

Rob Free Appointed as 42nd President of MTA Long Island Rail Road

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber appointed Rob Free as the 42nd President of the Long Island Rail Road. Free served as LIRR’s Acting President for the last six months. He began his career with the railroad as a station cleaner 31 years ago, rising through the ranks to become Chief Transportation Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations before becoming President.

Amtrak NEC Track Improvements will affect MARC Penn Line Service

Upcoming Amtrak construction projects along the heavily-traveled Northeast Corridor between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. will impact MARC Penn Line service beginning on April 29. Amtrak’s planned construction work will require complete track closures from 11:15 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and is expected to continue through November 2024.