Norfolk Southern locomotive modernization covers 33 units
03.09.2026
USA: Norfolk Southern locomotive modernization is expanding to 33 Evolution Series units, converting ES44DC locomotives from DC to AC traction under a Wabtec program announced in August 2026.
Norfolk Southern and Wabtec said the expanded modernization program forms part of the railroad’s fleet strategy. The work is intended to improve locomotive performance, reliability and efficiency while extending the value of existing assets.
ES44DC to ES44ACM conversion
Wabtec will rebuild the locomotives with AC traction motors, updated control systems and advanced digital technology. Once completed, the units will be designated ES44ACMs.
The companies say AC traction offers stronger adhesion and hauling performance, particularly in demanding operating conditions. They also expect the rebuilt units to provide higher productivity with lower lifecycle maintenance requirements. Enhanced onboard diagnostics are intended to support maintenance planning and fleet reliability.
“This investment will improve reliability, increase efficiency, and extend locomotive life, helping us deliver safe, dependable service for customers,” said Brian Barr, Norfolk Southern Chief Operating Officer. “Together with Wabtec, we’re continuing to invest in technologies that improve fleet performance and maximize the value of existing assets.”
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Deliveries continue through 2027
The work is being carried out at Wabtec facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, and Erie, Pennsylvania. The first upgraded locomotive was shipped to Norfolk Southern in August 2026, and the remaining deliveries are scheduled to continue through 2027.
Norfolk Southern was the launch customer for the original ES44DC in 2004. Since 2015, the railroad and Wabtec have participated in one of North America’s largest locomotive modernization efforts, contributing to more than 1,000 DC-to-AC conversions. The new 33-unit agreement continues that relationship.
Sameer Gaur, President of Wabtec’s Freight Services, said:
“This new modernization program underscores the strength of our longstanding partnership with Norfolk Southern and our shared focus on delivering operational value. By combining innovative technology, engineering excellence, and deep service expertise, we’re helping our customer maximize the value of their assets while positioning their fleet for the future.”
By extending locomotive service life and installing more efficient technology, the program also supports Norfolk Southern’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The company says rail shipments help its customers avoid about 15 million tons of carbon emissions annually.
Norfolk Southern operates a freight network across 22 states and carries about 7 million carloads a year. It says its intermodal network is the most extensive in the eastern United States, serving most of the country’s population and manufacturing base and connecting with every major Atlantic container port as well as major ports on the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes.
Wabtec supplies equipment, systems, digital products and services to freight and transit rail customers as well as mining, marine and industrial markets. The company says its rail-industry history spans 155 years.
What this means for the market
The latest order extends a conversion program that had already crossed the 1,000-unit threshold. In October 2025, Norfolk Southern said it had completed its 1,000th DC-to-AC locomotive conversion. The railroad said each conversion can extend a locomotive’s life by at least 20 years at half the cost of buying new. It also reported that modernized locomotives can be up to 25% more fuel-efficient, improve reliability by 40% and increase haulage capacity by 55%. Norfolk Southern published those figures for its broader modernization effort.
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