CPKC Tier 4 locomotives are part of the company’s fleet renewal, with the railway now taking delivery of the 170th and final Wabtec Evolution Series ET44AC unit from Wabtec.

CPKC Tier 4 locomotives complete Wabtec order
Photo: cpkcr.com

CPKC Tier 4 locomotives and fleet renewal

The delivery closes a multi-year order with Wabtec⁠ and continues the renewal of CPKC’s road locomotive fleet.

Baden Tidd, Vice-President Mechanical-Locomotive at CPKC, said:

“These locomotives are a smart investment in the strength and reliability of our fleet,”

“They give our crews modern, fuel-efficient power to move our customers’ freight safely and efficiently.”

The new units include advanced traction control, efficient cooling systems and Tier 4 diesel engines⁠ certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. CPKC expects them to significantly reduce air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, compared with Tier 3 diesel locomotives.

CPKC also expects the locomotives to improve fuel economy and reliability while further reducing the emissions impact of its operations.

Progress Rail order continues the program

The Wabtec deliveries are part of a wider multi-year capital program in which CPKC has invested in locomotives from the world’s two leading manufacturers. With the Wabtec order now complete, the company is continuing its fleet renewal with Progress Rail.

That program includes 30 new EMD® SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 freight locomotives expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026 from Progress Rail’s facility in Muncie, Indiana. These units belong to a broader Progress Rail order for 65 new Tier 4 locomotives⁠.

Tier 4 is the technical link between CPKC’s completed Wabtec delivery and its next Progress Rail order. EPA defines Tier 4 as a standard for newly built locomotive engines aimed at reducing diesel particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Wabtec says the ET44AC Evolution Series Tier 4 engine meets EPA-prescribed reductions of 76% for NOx and 70% for particulate matter. The Progress Rail order keeps the same emissions-standard focus: the SD70ACe-T4 units for CPKC are to be built in Muncie, Indiana, and Progress Rail says they are expected to improve fuel economy by 5–7% compared with first-generation Tier 4 units.

CPKC said its ongoing investment of more than US$800 million in new, American-built locomotive power is aimed at strengthening service reliability, supporting growth and maintaining service for customers and the North American economy.