Wabtec FLXDrive

{{Infobox locomotive

| name = Wabtec FLXDrive

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| powertype = Battery-electric

| designer =

| builder = Wabtec/GE Transportation

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| builddate = December 2019 - Present

| totalproduction = 1 (18 on order)

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| aarwheels = A1A-A1A

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| trucks = GE Hi-Ad

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| operator = {{Ubl

| Union Pacific

| Canadian National

| Rio Tinto

| BHP

| Roy Hill

}}

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The Wabtec FLXDrive platform (pronounced "flex-drive") is a class of battery-electric locomotives manufactured by Wabtec's GE Transportation subsidiary beginning in 2019. Using a modified version of the GE Evolution Series platform, FLXdrive is Wabtec's first zero-emissions locomotive, storing energy in 20 racks of lithium-ion battery cells.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wabteccorp.com/locomotive/alternative-fuel-locomotives/flxdrive|title=FLXdrive|website=Wabtec Corporation|access-date=December 5, 2022}} FLXDrive is a hybrid-electric locomotive, meaning it works in conjunction with traditional diesel-electric locomotives to provide regenerative braking for a train. The first-generation locomotives (with a capacity of 2.4 MWh) are able to operate 30 to 40 minutes at full power when being not connected to another locomotive.{{Cite web |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=September 14, 2021 |title=FLXdrive 'Electrifies' Pittsburgh |url=https://www.railwayage.com/news/flxdrive-electrifies-pittsburgh/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Railway Age}}

The first prototype locomotive, number 3000, was successfully tested on BNSF Railway in 2021 and found to reduce fuel consumption when paired with conventional diesel-electric locomotives. Since 2020, FLXDrive locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific, Canadian National, Rio Tinto, BHP, and Roy Hill. The first locomotives are scheduled to enter service in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Tina |date=2022-01-17 |title=Wabtec's Electric Locomotive Trickle Suddenly Becomes A Flood |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2022/01/17/wabtecs-100-electric-locomotive-trickle-suddenly-becomes-international-flood/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=CleanTechnica |language=en-US}}

In 2022, Wabtec announced a line of battery-electric locomotives including six-axle, four-axle, and foreign market variants.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wabteccorp.com/FLXdrive-Battery-Electric-Locomotive |title=Battery Electric Locomotive Technology FLXdrive |type=PDF |date=September 9, 2022 |website=Wabtec Corporation|access-date=December 5, 2022}} Wabtec plans to market the FLXDrive in tandem with hydrogen-powered locomotives, allowing the two types to complement each other.{{Cite web |last=Fender |first=Keith |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Wabtec planning for transition from diesel |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/wabtec-planning-for-transition-from-diesel/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Trains}}

On October 31, 2023, Wabtec unveiled the first production FLXDrive locomotive planned for delivery to the Australian Roy Hill ore railway in 2024.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Wabtec and Roy Hill Unveil the First FLXdrive Battery Locomotive |url=https://www.wabteccorp.com/newsroom/press-releases/wabtec-and-roy-hill-unveil-the-first-flxdrive-battery-locomotive/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Wabtec Corporation}}