Cando Rail & Terminals which operates a massive storage yard just north of Fort Saskatchewan in Surgeon County, has unveiled its new battery powered locomotive.
The switching locomotive was unveiled to the public for the first time at Cando’s Southlands Terminal, on Sept. 10.
Our new locomotive, retrofitted from a traditional diesel unit, is fully electric and zero-emission. Purpose-built for industrial and closed-loop switching operations, it eliminates harmful emissions, reduces noise, cuts energy costs, and supports Canada’s net-zero climate goals.
The company says it’s a groundbreaking innovation in Canadian rail.
This project reflects our continued commitment to safety, innovation, and environmental leadership,” said Paul Duncan, Chief Operating Officer for Cando.
“By investing in battery-powered technology, we will be reducing emissions in our operations while creating a scalable solution for cold weather climates that can transform industrial rail switching operations across our network.”
“Lithium-ion locomotives are truly for inside of a yard operation because you don’t have access to continuous electricity as we transport across Canada,” added Cornick.
Cando Rail and Terminals currently has 110 diesel-electric locomotives in its fleet but over the next few decades said the plan is to swap them out for lithium-ion locomotives.
The range of the locomotive is dependent on the load.
The company says charging the battery is no different than an electric vehicle.
“Same thing here,” stated Cornick. “The guys go on a lunch break, they’ll just charge it up, so it’ll constantly be going,”
Cornick is also not worried about Alberta’s cold winters.
“I feel really confident that we’re good here in Alberta,” he added. The locomotive was operationalized in Manitoba to withstand minus-40 C weather.
Cando hopes to have a manufacturing plant in Alberta to help develop a fleet of battery-operated locomotives in the next five to 10 years.
John Mather
Staff Reporter
