CPKC receives 170th Tier 4 locomotive

CPKC has taken delivery of the 170th and final Wabtec Evolution Series ET44AC Tier 4 locomotive, concluding a multi-year procurement contract. The delivery marks a phase in the railroad’s road locomotive fleet modernization strategy.

Technical Specifications and Emission Reductions
The delivered ET44AC locomotives incorporate advanced traction control, specialized cooling systems, and diesel engines certified to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 standards. Compared to legacy Tier 3 diesel units, the Tier 4 configurations are engineered to reduce air pollutants, specifically nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The integration of these technical systems is intended to enhance fuel economy, improve equipment reliability, and reduce the overall emissions footprint of rail operations.

“These locomotives are a smart investment in the strength and reliability of our fleet. They give our crews modern, fuel-efficient power to move our customers’ freight safely and efficiently.” — Baden Tidd, Vice-President Mechanical-Locomotive, CPKC.

Expanded Fleet Renewal and Delivery Schedule
The multi-year capital program encompasses locomotive acquisitions from two global manufacturers. Following the completion of the Wabtec order, CPKC is continuing its fleet modernization through a secondary contract with Progress Rail.

This includes 30 new EMD^® SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 freight locomotives scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026 from Progress Rail’s manufacturing facility in Muncie, Indiana. These 30 units represent a segment of a broader order totaling 65 new Tier 4 locomotives from the manufacturer.

Financial Investment and Strategic Alignment
The ongoing fleet upgrades represent an investment of more than US$800 million in new, American-built locomotive power. The capital deployment is structured to strengthen service reliability, support transportation capacity growth, and maintain consistent operational performance across the North American rail network and economy.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.