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Solar gets railed: clever Swiss pilot proves PV panels and trains can coexist

Solar energy from railways shows first positive results in Switzerland

Finding places to deploy new solar panels is often just as challenging as the construction project itself – with productive farmland, open parking lots, and rooftops all offering their own sets of pros and cons, but a recent pilot project suggests that thousands of acres of viable, low-cost land have been hiding in plain sight all along: the space between railroad tracks.

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Fortescue Infinity Train gets 14.5 MWh battery that never needs charging [update]

Fortescue Infinity Train in Pilbara - world's largest EV

Fortescue has taken the wraps off a prototype of its proposed “Infinity Train” electric locomotive, making the 1,100 km (about 685 miles) trip from Perth to the Pilbara and marking a major milestone in the decarbonization of the company’s heavy haul operations.

UPDATE 15DEC2025: now there are two!

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Great Western Railway’s fully-electric train breaks UK record, paving way for cleaner travel

Electric train UK

Entering its trial third year to study the feasibility of battery-electric rail, UK’s Great Western Railway (GWR) has hit an encouraging milestone, traveling further in the region than any battery-electric train before it. Its latest treks surpassed expectations and offered further confidence toward a more sustainable future in train travel.

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A company is developing self-propelled, battery-electric railcars you can control with your phone

electric railcar

A young tech company called Intramotev has developed zero-emissions freight mobility solutions that could help significantly decarbonize (and revitalize) a major industry in the US. Following a new $200,000 grant from the state of Michigan, Intramotev looks to deploy three of its self-propelled battery-electric railcars in the state later this year.

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Union Pacific buys ten more all-electric locomotives, this time from Caterpillar Inc.’s Progress Rail, investing over $100 million in total

Union Pacific electric

Following recent news of the purchase of ten electric locomotives from Wabtec, Union Pacific railroad has followed up by purchasing another ten from Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Inc. company. Union Pacific’s combined electric locomotive purchases and upgrades to its rail yard infrastructure are expected to exceed $100 million, making it the largest investment in battery-electric technology by a US Class I railroad.

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Union Pacific orders ten Wabtec FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives, the largest investment by a North American railroad

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North American railroad Union Pacific announced it has purchased ten FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives from manufacturer Wabtec. The purchase marks the largest number of FLXDrives placed in a single order for Wabtec, as well as the largest investment in battery-electric locomotives by a North American railroad (Union Pacific).

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World’s second largest mining corporation orders four Wabtec battery-electric locomotives

Wabtec electric locomotive

Rail freight manufacturer Wabtec Corporation has announced its latest customer is Rio Tinto, one of the largest metal and mining companies on the planet. Rio Tinto’s order for four of Wabtec’s FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives will support its effort to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

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CN purchases battery electric freight locomotive from Wabtec to support sustainability goals

Electric freight locomotive

Canadian National Railway Company (CN) announced the purchase of Wabtec’s FLXdrive battery-electric freight locomotive, the first to join its 19,500-mile rail network. The purchase was part of CN’s sustainability strategy to reduce freight transportation emissions and will be supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

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Wabtec unveils its battery-electric train following the first official purchase

electric train

Rail freight manufacturer Wabtec Corporation has officially unveiled the newest version of what it calls “the world’s first battery-electric freight train.” The electric train, known as FLXdrive Battery Locomotive, is no longer just a prototype and has made its official debut in Pittsburgh, PA, following Wabtec’s first sale of the locomotive earlier this week.

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