CPKC locomotive order adds 135 Tier 4 units to renewal plan

CPKC locomotive order plans are moving ahead, with the railway confirming a 135-unit locomotive order split between Progress Rail and Wabtec under its $800 million multiyear fleet renewal program, as outlined in a CPKC statement.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The purchase covers 65 EMD SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 units and 70 Wabtec Evolution Series ET44AC Tier 4 locomotives, CPKC said.

CPKC locomotive order: Progress Rail SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 details

The SD70ACe-T4s will be manufactured at the Progress Rail facility in Muncie, Ind. CPKC said the updated platform includes a new energy management system intended to improve fuel efficiency by 5% to 7% over prior first generation Tier 4 units, while continuing to meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards without after-treatment.

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CPKC Chief Operating Officer Mark Redd said the purchase represents a significant investment in American manufacturing with Progress Rail. In his remarks, he tied the order to the locomotive renewal program, describing it as a step meant to support future growth, strengthen fleet reliability and reduce emissions as the railway serves customers and the North American economy.

Progress Rail said the locomotives will use its Talos energy management system, described on the company’s Talos platform page, which it said is certified by the EPA to deliver a 12.3% efficiency gain. The company added that Talos is powered by artificial intelligence, optimizes in-train forces, and has logged more than four million miles without a break-in-two.

Progress Rail CEO John Newman said the company is partnering with CPKC to introduce its updated Tier 4 platform after years of investment focused on reliability and fuel efficiency. He also said CPKC tested the locomotives for months in what he described as some of North America’s most rugged operating environments.

Progress Rail said the SD70ACe-T4 offers 4,500 brake horsepower and up to 200,000 lbs. of starting tractive effort, allowing railroads to move longer, heavier trains with fewer locomotives. CPKC said 30 of the locomotives are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026.

Wabtec ET44AC Tier 4 locomotives deliveries

On the Wabtec side of the CPKC locomotive order, the railway expects to take delivery of 70 Wabtec ET44ACs this year. CPKC said the locomotives will join the 100 Evolution Series units that became part of the CPKC fleet last year.

The first two units of this order are expected later this month from Wabtec’s assembly plant in Fort Worth, Texas. CPKC noted that the Wabtec order was previously disclosed during the railway’s third-quarter earnings call.

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