U.S. Steel has converted two of its diesel switcher locomotives at the Mon Valley Works’ Edgar Thomson and Clairton Plants to battery-electric drive. The locomotives travel within the facilities carrying steel, coke, scrap metal, iron ore and other materials.

U.S. Steel invested some $2.3 million in the locomotives. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provided an unspecified amount to offset the remaining cost, through the agency’s Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program.

The e-locos were built by Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT), a provider of customized lithium-ion propulsion solutions to the rail market. IRT’s proprietary technology ATLAS (Advanced Technology Li-Ion Adaptive System) is a turnkey, customizable and scalable propulsion and control package. IRT works with a nationwide network of locomotive remanufacturers, and can also provide ATLAS kits directly to customers for in-house remanufacture. The company’s customer list includes Fortune 500 companies, ports, industrial firms and short-line railroads.

“Battery propulsion technology is already in use throughout many modes of transportation, and rail transportation is the next step,” said Ira Dorfman, Principal, IRT.

Source: U.S. Steel