Celebrating its 155th anniversary in 2024, Wabtec’s illustrious history of innovation is intricately woven into the fabric of the freight rail industry. Founded by visionaries George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec’s legacy is steeped in groundbreaking achievements that have reshaped the landscape of rail technology.
However, rather than resting on its laurels, Wabtec continues to push the boundaries of innovation, building upon its foundation to drive progress and transformation in the industry. With a dedicated engineering force of approximately 5,000 individuals, innovation is not merely a legacy at Wabtec – it’s a living legacy, manifested in the company’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Taking a closer look at Wabtec’s recent history reveals a series of disruptive innovations and engineering marvels that have significantly impacted the freight rail industry.
Challenge: Increase tractive effort of heavy-haul trains Innovation: The AC locomotive
In the 1990s, Wabtec faced fierce competition in the freight-locomotive market, with major railroads worldwide grappling with limitations in the tractive effort capabilities of their DC locomotives. In response, Wabtec embarked on a pioneering journey led by AJ Kumar, known as the “Father of the AC Locomotive.”
Employing a holistic systems-engineering approach, Wabtec engineered a revolutionary AC traction system that redefined the efficiency and haulage capabilities of modern freight locomotives. By optimising components and integrating advanced technologies, Wabtec’s AC locomotive boasted a continuous tractive effort rating of 166,000 lbs. – a remarkable 60 percent increase over its predecessors. This breakthrough not only enhanced productivity and efficiency but also reduced labour and maintenance costs, propelling Wabtec to the forefront of locomotive innovation.
Challenge: Meet increasingly strict GHG emissions standards Innovation: Deliver mandated compliance + fuel savings = The Evolution Series Engines
Amidst escalating greenhouse gases emissions standards in the early 2000s, Wabtec pioneered the Evolution Series engine, embodying a holistic approach to emissions reduction and fuel efficiency. Unlike competitors who opted for discrete fixes, Wabtec reimagined the engine as a “power plant” for the locomotive, introducing innovative solutions to achieve compliance while enhancing fuel economy.
This innovative mindset led to the development of the Evolution Series Tier 4 Locomotive, surpassing regulatory requirements and offering optimised efficiency and adhesion. With nearly 1,200 units delivered to date, Wabtec’s Evolution Series engines continue to set the standard for performance and value in the rail industry.
Challenge: Transform locomotive usage data into a customer performance advantage Innovation: Wabtec control technology
Wabtec’s commitment to innovation extends beyond hardware to encompass software revolutionising the industry. Through advancements in telemetry and on-board data capture, Wabtec engineers developed groundbreaking solutions such as Trip Optimizer, an energy management system that has saved railroads over 750 million gallons of diesel while reducing emissions by up to 10 percent.
Looking to the future, Wabtec remains at the forefront of innovation, exploring alternative propulsion technologies and pioneering advancements in signalling systems and network efficiency solutions. With a steadfast dedication to collaboration and a systems-engineering approach, Wabtec continues to drive progress, ensuring its innovations harmonise seamlessly to propel the freight rail industry forward.
For more information visit www.wabteccorp.com
