The mainline and switcher locomotives have commenced operations at the freight station in Calgary, where the carrier’s headquarters and hydrogen production plant (using electrolysis, powered by solar panels) are located, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

CPKC’s CEO, Kate Krill, noted that this section is the most challenging due to harsh conditions, including temperatures below -41°C.

Tender for the supply of four-axle multi-system electric locomotives

If the locomotives prove their effectiveness there, they will be deployed across the carrier’s entire network.

The project, announced in late 2020, involves upgrading CPKC’s Innsfail facility’s existing diesel locomotives with 200 kW fuel cells from American company Ballard and batteries.

In 2021, the carrier received a $15 million grant to modernize two mainline and one switcher locomotive.

The first was unveiled in January 2022, and the second underwent testing last year.

Video: CPKC

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