Altoona Works BP4
| Altoona Works BP4 | |||||||||
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 Norfolk Southern #999, the lone BP4 yet built, in May 2017 | |||||||||
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The Altoona Works BP4 is a 1,500 hp (1,120 kW) B-B battery-electric locomotive rebuilt by the Altoona Works of the Norfolk Southern Railway. It was created in 2007 by replacing the diesel prime mover of an EMD GP38 (Norfolk Southern #2911, formerly Conrail #7732) with 1,080 12-volt lead-acid batteries and associated control equipment. The converted locomotive was redesignated Norfolk Southern #999.[2]
Design
[edit]
Despite appearing somewhat similar to a conventional diesel electric locomotive, the BP4 has no diesel engine; battery charging is provided by plugging in an external power source. Battery life is extended by the use of regenerative braking, which returns about 35% of braking power to the batteries. The BP4 is designed to operate 3 shifts on a single battery charge.[1] This conversion significantly alters the external appearance of the locomotive, with the cab (which is actually brand new) being moved forward on the frame to make room for a large louvered battery box, which takes the place of the locomotive's long hood. The fuel tank is similarly replaced with another battery box.
History
[edit]BP4 development was undertaken by Norfolk Southern, along with Brookville Equipment, Penn State University, the United States Department of Energy, and the Federal Railroad Administration. $1.3 million in federal funding subsidized the program.[3] The locomotive was initially converted in 2007; after initial battery issues, a better battery management system was installed in 2009.[4] A further rebuild was undertaken in 2014, changing the batteries from lead-acid to lead-carbon.[5]
Despite the continued tweaking, NS 999 was unable to fulfill the railroad's requirements and the project was dropped. [6] Norfolk Southern put the 999 up for auction, along with several other locomotives, in November 2019.[7] 999 was purchased by Rail Propulsions Systems, where it was upgraded for eventual use in the Los Angeles Basin region.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "NS 999: Horse of a different color" (PDF). BizNS. Norfolk Southern. November–December 2009. pp. 7–9.
- ^ "A Battery-Powered Alternative". Norfolk Southern.
- ^ "Batteries ARE included: Norfolk Southern unveils experimental electric locomotive" (Press release). Norfolk Southern. September 28, 2009. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ Barbee, Gibson (June 22, 2015). "NS 999 Electric / Hybrid Locomotive Research" (PDF). Appalachian State University.[dead link]
- ^ Barbee, Gibson; Westreich, Philippe (2013). "NS 999 Electric Switcher Update". Proceedings of the ASME 2013 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference. ASME 2013 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference. doi:10.1115/RTDF2013-4708. ISBN 978-0-7918-5611-6. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ a b Corselli, Andrew (2 June 2020). "Agent 999: RPS Restores Zero-Emission Locomotive". Railway Age. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023.
- ^ Cupper, Dan (November 12, 2019). "NS to dispose of executive F units, other roster oddities". Trains. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
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- B-B locomotives
- Electric locomotives of the United States
- Battery electric vehicles
- EPA Tier 2-compliant locomotives of the United States
- Norfolk Southern Railway locomotives
- Rebuilt locomotives
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